Microwaves can make living easy and, like any appliance in your home, should be cleaned regularly to avoid possible damage down the road. Because microwaves are commonly used to reheat food, grease splatter on both the inside and outside will be something you'll likely need to address as part of your regular cleaning routine. Cleaning grease off of a dirty microwave can be done easily in just a few steps.
Using Commercial Degreasers
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When using a commercial cleaner to degrease a microwave, all-purpose cleansers are generally safe to use, although some may produce an odor that lingers, depending on the formula. Products that are designed to clean grease off of range hoods or stove tops can work on stubborn grease stains. Just be careful if they come in a spray bottle — liquid, like grease, can clog microwave vents, so it's usually best to soak a rag and clean your vents this way, rather than spray into them.
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The Best Household Degreasers
If household products are more aligned with your cleaning style, there are a number of natural degreasers you can use that won't cost more than a couple of dollars, like lemon juice or a baking soda and vinegar mixture.
To use lemon juice, place the juice of two lemons in a bowl with 3 cups of water inside your microwave, heat the mixture for two minutes and allow it to sit for another 10 minutes so the steam can loosen any baked-on grease before wiping away the residue with a damp cloth.
To use vinegar and baking soda, start by diluting a few tablespoons of baking soda in about 4 cups of water, soak a towel in this mixture and wipe down the interior. Then, place equal parts water and vinegar in a bowl and follow the same instructions listed for the lemon juice cleaning method.
How to Degrease a Microwave
Once you have your cleaning product of choice, cleaning grease off of your microwave is a fairly easy process that will only take a little time and elbow grease, no pun intended, depending on how much grease has built up, according to ProLine Range Hoods.
Step 1: Wipe Down the Surface
Use a damp towel or paper towel to wipe down the inside of your microwave and take care to remove any large pieces of food or grease that may be resting inside of it. If you aren't going to be using the steam method to clean, remove the plate and carousel from the microwave and wash it with a towel and soapy water.
Step 2: Clean the Interior
Soak a clean towel with your cleaning product of choice and begin wiping down the inside of your microwave, taking care to scrub the vents.
Step 3: Dry the Microwave
Take a clean, dry towel and wipe down the area you have just cleaned, or leave your microwave door open for a few hours so it can air dry, which may also rid your appliance of any lingering odors.
Step 4: Clean the Exterior
Use a damp cloth and your cleaning solution to wipe down the outside of your microwave and dry when finished.
Cleaning the Stove Filter
If you see grease dripping from a microwave oven that sits over the range, this is likely due to a dirty stove filter, which will need cleaning in order for your appliance to run smoothly and safely. To clean your stove filter, start by removing the filter, which is usually found underneath the microwave oven. Filters can usually be washed with warm, soapy water and a scrubbing pad or brush, but especially dirty filters may need to be soaked in a degreasing solution, like vinegar and water. Once it's clean, allow it to dry and pop it back into place in your microwave.