Cleaning your microwave to look like new is quick and easy with vinegar. Just use distilled white vinegar and water to remove all the grease, spilled food, and smells in a few minutes.

cleaning microwave with vinegar

Plus, vinegar is cheap, doesn’t contain strong chemicals, and cleans the microwave very well.

Discover how to quickly and easily clean your microwave in minutes using distilled white vinegar.

Cleaning Your Microwave with Vinegar: How Often Is Necessary?

If you use your microwave every day and sometimes don’t cover food when warming it up, you should clean it at least once a week.

You should clean your microwave as soon as you spot any smells or food splatters, since fresh spills are easier to clean than dried-on food. But if you don’t use it much, a thorough cleaning every two weeks or once a month is enough.

Essentials for Cleaning Your Microwave Using Vinegar

Tools for Cleaning

  • A bowl that’s safe for the microwave
  • A sponge
  • A microfiber cloth
  • Oven gloves
  • Protective gloves
  • A sink (if needed)

Cleaning Ingredients

  • One cup of distilled white vinegar
  • Citrus peels, essential oils, or herbs
  • One cup of water
  • Dish soap (if needed)

How to Clean Your Microwave with Vinegar

Add Vinegar and Water to a Microwave-Safe Bowl

Add one cup of distilled white vinegar and one cup of water into a bowl that is safe to use in the microwave.

If the smell of vinegar bothers you, you can mix in herbs, lemon juice, or a few pieces of citrus peel (like lemon, orange, or lime) with the water. Alternatively, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to make it smell the way you like.

Heat in the microwave for 5 minutes

Put the bowl with vinegar and water in the microwave and cook on high for five minutes. The boiling mixture will produce steam that helps loosen any food stuck inside.

Clean the inside of the microwave

After five minutes, take out the bowl carefully. It will be very hot, so wear gloves or use an oven mitt to avoid splashes and protect your hands.

With protective gloves on, soak a sponge in the solution and gently clean every part inside the microwave, including the door.

Soak and wash the rotating plate

If your microwave has a turntable that comes out, take it out and clean it all over. If it’s very greasy, you can wash it in the sink with hot water and a bit of dish soap, or put it in the dishwasher.

Dry the inside

After cleaning all the grease and dirt from inside your microwave, use a microfiber towel to dry the interior.

Clean the outside

You can clean the outside of your microwave with the same vinegar solution. Wet a clean sponge in the solution and wipe the exterior. Use a microfiber cloth to dry the controls and door handles without leaving streaks.

Advice to Help Your Microwave Stay Clean Longer

Buy a microwave plate cover from online stores or most big shops. It’s a cheap way to lessen the mess from splashes and splatters inside your microwave.

If you don’t have a plate cover, use a paper towel to cover bowls and cups to cut down on splatter. Wrap solid foods in a paper towel and put them on a microwave-safe dish or a paper plate to keep the bottom of your microwave clean.

Keep in mind, cleaning your microwave regularly is important! The more you clean it, the easier it will be to keep it shining.

FAQs

Is cleaning a microwave with vinegar safe?
Distilled white vinegar is a safe and eco-friendly way to clean the microwave and other areas in the kitchen. It’s cheaper and doesn’t have the extra chemicals and dyes found in some store-bought cleaners.

What’s the easiest way to clean a microwave’s interior?
Steaming is the best method to remove food stuck in the microwave. Mixing vinegar with water helps break down greasy residue. For really stubborn spots, sprinkle a little baking soda on your sponge for a mild scrubbing effect.

Which is better for cleaning a microwave, lemon or vinegar?
Distilled white vinegar and lemon juice are mild acids that can easily clean greasy spots in the microwave. They work just as well and can even be mixed to make your microwave clean and smell fresh, getting rid of any food splatters.