Reheating leftovers, melting butter or chocolate, popping corn or cooking up whole meals: For most of us it’s hard to imagine kitchen life without a microwave. But spatters, spills and lingering odors are all a by-product of using the microwave daily. Wiping up spills and leaks as you go is fine, but sometimes deep-cleaning the machine inside and out is the way to go — especially if a minor explosion or meltdown has coated the interior with food (it happens!). Here’s how to clean the microwave inside and out in just minutes and with household products and natural ingredients you probably have on hand.

How Often to Clean Your Microwave

Not surprisingly, how frequently you should clean your microwave depends on how much you use it, what you use it for and how diligent your household is about wiping up spills as they happen. A busy microwave that cooks and thaws foods regularly and reheats leftovers might need to be cleaned every week, while one that just heats up a cup of coffee every now and then might need it only once a month, if that.

How to Clean a Microwave

You can follow these step-by-step instructions for cleaning your microwave inside and out in a little more than 10 minutes. We recommend common cleaning products you probably have on hand, plus natural cleaners like lemon and baking soda. All of these are inexpensive and gentle on the machine’s surfaces, but as always you should consult your manufacturer’s instructions first.

How to Clean the Inside of a Microwave

Steam is one of the most effective ways to remove stuck-on food and grease, and the beauty of the microwave is that it’s perfect for generating steam. We suggest adding a half lemon to your steaming water for two reasons: The acid in it is effective at cutting grease, and the essential oils in the skin smell great and work to combat odors. But you can also use lemon juice or baking soda. If you like cleaning with white vinegar you can also use that, but be aware heating vinegar produces a strong aroma that can be unpleasant. Chemical cleaners aren’t recommended for cleaning the interior of your microwave.

You’ll need:

• Small microwave-safe bowl
• 1/2 lemon or 1 tablespoon lemon juice or baking soda
• Microfiber cloth or sponge
• Warm water and dish soap

Step 1: Steam the interior. Fill a small bowl with about a cup of water. Squeeze half a lemon over the bowl and then add the lemon half, or add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or 1 tablespoon baking soda to the bowl. Microwave the bowl on high heat until the inside of the microwave is fully steamed up, 3 to 4 minutes. Keep the door closed and let the steam sit in the microwave for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Wipe with soapy water. Carefully remove the hot bowl. Remove the turntable. Fill another bowl with warm water and add a few drops dish soap. Dip a cloth in the soapy water and wipe the interior of the microwave, being sure to clean the ceiling, corners and the edge of the door. Rinse the rag and wipe the inside again with clean water to remove any soap residue.

Step 3: Clean the turntable. Wash the turntable by hand or in the dishwasher following manufacturer’s instructions. Place it back in the microwave.

How to Clean the Outside of a Microwave

Once you’ve cleaned the inside of your machine, gently clean the outside to remove smudges and grease.

You’ll need:

• Warm water and dish soap
• Microfiber cloth or sponge
• Glass cleaner and/or stainless steel cleaner (optional)

Step 1: Wipe with soapy water. Add a few drops of soap to a bowl of warm water. Dip a cloth in the water and wipe down the exterior to remove dust, grease and fingerprints.

Step 2: Remove streaks. You can spray glass cleaner onto your cloth and wipe down the door and keypad if they’re glass. You can also spray the rag with stainless-steel cleaner and polish any stainless areas of the machine, wiping in the direction of the metal’s grain.

Step 3: Clean underneath. If the microwave sits on the counter, move it to clean up any food or dust that may be under or behind it.

How to Remove Odors from the Microwave

Foods like fish, popcorn or anything garlicky or oniony can leave lingering odors in the microwave. A regular cleaning as detailed above is the most effective way to remove odors, but you can also do a quick freshening.

You’ll need:

• Small microwave-safe bowl
• 1/2 lemon or 1 tablespoon lemon juice or baking soda
• Microfiber cloth or sponge

Step 1: Steam the interior. Fill a small microwave-safe bowl with about a cup of water. Squeeze half a lemon over the bowl and then add it to the bowl, or add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or baking soda to the bowl. Microwave the bowl on high heat until the inside of the microwave is fully steamed up, 3 to 4 minutes. Keep the door closed and let the steam sit in the microwave for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Wipe. Carefully remove the warm bowl and wipe down the interior and turntable with a clean cloth.

How to Clean the Microwave Filter

If your microwave is installed above a cooktop it may function as a hood vent as well. If it does it will have a metal filter that should be cleaned once it shows visible grease, about every month or so. It’s easy to do, but as always consult your manufacturer’s instructions first.

You’ll Need:

• Dish soap
• Brush or sponge

Step 1: Fill the sink. Fill your kitchen sink with a couple of inches of warm soapy water.

Step 2: Remove the filter and soak. Unplug your microwave and remove the metal filter. Place it in the sink and let it sit for 10 minutes. Scrub very gently with a brush or sponge to remove dirt. Repeat soaking and scrubbing if necessary.

Step 3: Replace the filter. Dry the filter and replace it. Plug your microwave in again.

Related Links:

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