How to Clean a Microwave (Inside, Turntable and Filters)

The easiest way to clean a microwave is to loosen the mess with steam first: heat a microwave-safe bowl of water with a sliced lemon or a splash of white vinegar for a few minutes, leave the door shut a few more minutes, then wipe the softened splatters off with a soft cloth. Wash the turntable separately, wipe the waveguide cover gently, and finish the door and control panel with a barely damp cloth. Skip scouring pads, steel wool and oven cleaner; manufacturers warn they damage microwave interiors.

What you need

• A microwave-safe glass bowl or 2-cup measuring cup
• Water, plus a lemon or white vinegar (either one works)
• Two or three soft microfiber cloths
• Mild dish soap and baking soda for stuck spots
• A non-scratch sponge

How to clean the inside of a microwave, step by step

1. Take out the turntable and its roller ring. Set them aside to wash in the sink. If your microwave has a wire rack, remove that too.
2. Heat the steam bowl. Fill the bowl with about a cup of water and add a sliced lemon or a tablespoon or two of white vinegar. Heat on high for 3 to 5 minutes, just until the water steams and the window fogs. Frigidaire’s microwave care guidance uses the same approach: a cup of water with lemon, heated on full power for several minutes.
3. Leave the door closed for 5 minutes. The trapped steam softens dried food, and the wait gives the water time to settle.
4. Remove the bowl carefully. Use an oven mitt. Plain water heated in a smooth container can become superheated and erupt when it is bumped, which is why the FDA advises not exceeding recommended heating times and notes that adding something to the water first greatly reduces the risk. The lemon slices help here, and short heating times matter more than anything.
5. Wipe from the top down. Start with the ceiling, then the walls, then the floor of the cavity, so drips land on areas you have not cleaned yet. Most splatters will lift with one pass.
6. Treat stuck spots gently. Wolf’s microwave care instructions say warm water and a soft cloth handle most cleaning, with baking soda or mild soap for heavier soil, then a thorough rinse. Dab a little baking soda on a damp cloth or non-scratch sponge, rub lightly, and wipe again with clean water.
7. Dry the cavity with a clean cloth and leave the door open for a few minutes.

Don’t scrub the waveguide cover

The waveguide cover is the small flat panel, usually on an inside wall, that protects the opening where the microwave energy enters the cavity. Both Wolf and Frigidaire say never to remove it. Wipe it gently with a soft damp cloth instead. Wolf adds that built-up spatters on the cover can overheat and cause smoke or even a fire, so wipe new splatters off it soon after they happen rather than letting them bake on. If the cover is cracked, burned through or missing, stop using the microwave and contact the manufacturer or an appliance technician.

How to clean the turntable and roller ring

Wash the glass turntable, the roller ring and any rack in warm, soapy water. Wolf and Frigidaire both say these parts are generally dishwasher safe, with the turntable support on the upper rack, but check your manual first. Let the turntable cool before it touches cold water; a hot glass plate can crack from a sudden temperature change. If your dishwasher is due for attention too, our guide on how to clean a dishwasher covers the filter that catches what these parts leave behind.

How to clean the door, seal and control panel

• Door window: wipe both sides with a soft damp cloth. Wolf cautions that spray cleaners and harsh products can stain, streak or dull the door.
• Door edges and seal area: wipe the inner door edge and the front rim of the cavity with a damp cloth so food residue does not build up where the door closes. The FDA recommends not using a microwave whose door does not close firmly or is bent, warped or otherwise damaged.
• Control panel: never spray cleaner directly onto it. Use a lightly damp cloth, no scrubbing. Wolf also suggests unplugging the microwave, or leaving the door open so it can’t start, while you clean.
• Exterior: mild soap and water, then a clean damp cloth, then dry. For stainless finishes, wipe with the grain and dry it; our guide to cleaning stainless steel appliances covers streaks, fingerprint-resistant coatings and black stainless.

Over-the-range microwave? Clean the filters too

If your microwave hangs over the stove, it doubles as a vent hood and has its own filters underneath. Whirlpool’s guidance is to clean the metal grease filter monthly, or when the filter indicator says so, with mild soap and water (most can also go in the dishwasher; check the manual). The charcoal filter, found on recirculating models, cannot be washed and should be replaced about every 6 months. Degreasing it works the same way as a range hood filter, covered in our range hood filter guide. While you’re working at the stove, the cooktop below usually needs the same attention; see how to clean a stovetop.

How do you get rid of a burnt smell in a microwave?

A burnt popcorn smell usually means scorched residue is still somewhere in the cavity, often on the ceiling, the waveguide cover or the roller ring. Clean all three first, then repeat the lemon-water steam and leave the door open for a few hours to air out. Frigidaire’s deodorizing version adds a few whole cloves and the grated peel of a lemon to the water. If a smell lingers after a thorough clean, repeat the steam once more rather than reaching for stronger chemicals.

What not to use inside a microwave

• Steel wool, scouring pads and abrasive powders. The FDA and manufacturers warn against them; they scratch the interior coating.
• Oven cleaner. Wolf specifically says not to use chemical oven cleaners in its microwaves.
• Mixed cleaners. Never combine vinegar, bleach, ammonia or other products. Water, lemon, vinegar, mild soap and baking soda used separately are all a microwave needs.
• Running it empty to “dry” it. The FDA notes some microwaves should not be operated when empty. Dry it with a cloth instead.

How often should you clean a microwave?

Wipe up spills the same day, while they are still soft. Give the inside a full steam clean every week or two in a busy kitchen, or monthly if it gets light use. Clean an over-the-range grease filter monthly. A quick wipe after anything that splatters, like sauces, soups or oatmeal, keeps the full clean to about ten minutes.

When a professional clean makes sense

Microwave cleaning, inside and out, is part of the standard kitchen checklist our Vetted Cleaning Professionals follow on recurring visits, and it is included in our deep and move-in/move-out cleanings too. You can see exactly what each service covers on our cleaning checklists page. We clean the microwave inside and out; we don’t repair, unmount, move or disconnect appliances. If you’d rather hand the kitchen off, you can see your exact flat-rate price on our booking page.