Microwave Cleaning Hack (No-Scrub Method To A Clean Microwave)

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Clean your microwave with zero effort using this incredible Microwave Cleaning Hack…

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Okay, okay, I’m going to start off by being honest with you guys.

Because I know you appreciate it, and I always feel better giving you the whole story.

I have this huge pet peeve about myself…

I love cleaning – whether it’s vacuuming and deep cleaning the carpets, scrubbing the bathroom shower, or washing the walls, I take great pride in having a clean and healthy home.

But I rarely clean my microwave.

GASP. Whaaaaaat?!

I know what you’re thinking – you found my blog, read ‘Slay At Home Mother‘, and must think I project cleaning and organizational perfection.

But my microwave is just as gross as yours!

When I say I ‘rarely‘ clean my microwave, I mean I clean it maybe once every 4-6 months.

I know, I know. I’m straight lazy when it comes to my microwave.

I will let that sucker sit in filth until I can no longer stand it.

I will let it get to the point where I’m not even sure my little microwave trick will work.

There will be caked-on food, burnt tomato sauce, cheesy bits of goo that have been nuked probably 100 times…

And then there is the fact that I forget about it as soon as I grab the ready food and close the door. Kind of like the oven – you close the door, and the mess is contained and hidden. 

‘Oh, I will just get to it later! I have 8,573,620,395 other things I could/should/want to do right now…’

I’m working on it.

Maybe one day I’ll learn to implement it into my regular cleaning routine.

Luckily, I know a way that battles both laziness and the built-up gunk!

If you’re anything like me when it comes to the microwave, then no need to fret when it comes to the baked-on goo that is living in your microwave.

Keep reading to find out how to clean inside your microwave with little to no scrubbing, eliminate any bad smells (goodbye burnt popcorn smell!), and freshen your garbage disposal in the process….

*This post contains affiliate links, however, all opinions are my own, as always.

My Nasty Microwave

Before I tell you how to clean inside your microwave, I’m going to give you some insight into just how bad mine is.

Be warned – it’s gross…

There’s gunk on the ceiling (is it called the ceiling?), the walls, the bottom, underneath the turntable, and in all the crevices!

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Truth? 

This mess is from a bowl of corn chowder I was trying to reheat in a hurry and forgot to put a napkin over the top of the bowl before pressing START. 

Yuck.

Disgusting, right?

I told ya!

The last time I cleaned our microwave, there was tomato sauce everywhere – it was a hot mess.

Pun intended.

Even the door was covered in filth, grease, and grime…I honestly think this slimy film covering the door is from popcorn.

I wouldn’t be surprised – we eat a ton of it.

I can’t be sure, but it’s definitely greasy and gross.

I don’t think I’ve ever written a post with so many negative adjectives, by the way – you’re witnessing history here…

Luckily, I can take care of this nasty kitchen appliance in just five minutes with little to no scrubbing!

Okay, so here’s the good part.

The miracle cleaner…

Microwave Cleaning Hack Materials

*By the way, just so you guys know, we are currently going through a kitchen renovation right now!

It’s really exciting, even if it’s taking 6 months, but we’re redoing everything from the flooring to the ceiling.

So if you see some unfinished backsplash or weird paint colors on the wall in the background – that won’t be there for long! 😉

So, I know you’re about to look at the picture below and think…can I actually get a clean microwave with lemon juice?

And the answer is YES!

*Note: Please follow the instructions, and do not place plastic bottles or containers that are not microwave-safe into a microwave. This photo is just for visuals for my blog and does not depict actual use.

How to Clean Microwave with Lemon

To get your microwave clean, you’ll need two household ingredients and two household items:

• 2 cups of tap water
• 2 tbsp of lemon juice (either fresh or bottled)
• 1 Microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl
• Tablespoon (or cough syrup measuring cup) 

Fill a microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup with 2 cups of tap water, and add 2 tbsp of lemon juice. 

If you have fresh lemon in your fridge, you can use that as well – just cut it in half, and squeeze the juice into the bowl.

BTW – If your tablespoon is dirty or can’t be located, you can always use a medicine measuring cup. 2 tbsp almost equals 30 mL of liquid!

I always have lemon juice on hand, especially in the winter months when Chris goes ice fishing and brings home fish for dinner!

Lemon juice and tartar sauce make a hand-breaded fish dinner even better.

How To Clean Your Microwave

With your lemon juice ready and in hand, place it in your microwave.

Close the microwave door, and heat the lemon water on HIGH for 5 minutes.

*My microwave is older – newer microwaves might do okay on HIGH power for only 3-4 minutes, so consider the age of your microwave.

While the lemon water is heating up, I like to take the time to wipe down the top, bottom, sides, and front of the microwave’s exterior.

I use regular Windex and a microfiber cloth for this quick wipe-down.

I think I caught the exact moment the timer on my microwave was changing from 4:32 to 4:31 – how awesome is that? Obviously, I don’t get out much ;).

As the microwave is heating the lemon water, the water may start to boil – that’s okay!

With 10 or 15 seconds left on the timer, wet a washcloth with warm water to help you wipe down the interior.

When the microwave is done, open the door and carefully take the bowl or measuring cup out.

You can pour most of this liquid down your sink drain to freshen up your garbage disposal, but keep some in the cup for any hardcore scrubbing you may need to do.

I rarely need to scrub using this method.

First, carefully remove the turntable (it may be very hot) and wipe it down.

This may have the most difficult splatter and mess to clean up and should be handled first.

Next, wipe down the walls, ceiling, floor, and door with your wet rag or sponge (with the soft side).

I’m using an old burp cloth we had lying around. 

If you have some goo that has been cooked for a very long time and is still giving you grief, dip your washcloth or sponge into the remaining hot lemon juice and water and drip it onto the food/mess.

After a minute, wipe it clean.

Microwave Cleaning Hack: How to Clean Microwave with Lemon

And there you go – your microwave is now clean!

What took you probably five months to dirty only took you five minutes to clean!

I love using lemon to deodorize and clean my microwave.

It always comes out smelling fabulous and looks almost brand new!

Lemon helps cut through the many months of grease, grime, and neglect on my part.

I mean, just look at how CLEAN it is.

This microwave cleaning hack is one of my favorite cleaning hacks, ever!

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 How do you clean your microwave – what do you use? Tell me in the comments below!

Other Cleaning Posts You Might Like:

How To Clean Your Walls Without Discoloring Or Removing Paint

Dishwasher Cleaning Hack (No Scrubbing Required!)

How To Clean Your Oven Glass Door + Natural Degreaser

*Post originally published February 2019, last updated February 2023.