How To Clean A Microwave With Vinegar & Steam

Clean a microwave in minutes! All you need is vinegar and water, no scrubbing required!


Have you ever exploded pizza sauce in the microwave? Today’s post will show you how to clean a microwave using only water, vinegar, and steam! It’s easy to do, only takes a few minutes, and it works great!

how to clean a microwave with vinegar and steam

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I was able to clean off dirt and grime I didn’t even realize was there!

I love simple cleaning solutions like this. I made a homemade grout cleaner with just baking soda and bleach and it worked WONDERS! And we’ve been using a homemade borax free laundry soap for almost a year now and we love it! It’s cheap, non-toxic, and cleans better than commercial detergent! And when we moved into our new house and the washing machine was horribly dirty, I learned how to clean a washing machine with just two wash cycles, and it’s sparkling clean now!

Want some other great cleaning tips?! Check these out!

How To Clean A Microwave With Vinegar

Tools

Materials

Instructions

I made a video to show you just how easy it is to clean a microwave with vinegar and steam!

1. Put water and vinegar in a microwaveable bowl

Fill a microwaveable bowl with 2 cups of water and add 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Add a drop of essential oil if you want to mask the vinegar smell.

Drop a toothpick into the bowl of water to help keep the water from boiling out over the edges of the bowl.

how to clean a microwave with vinegar and steam

2. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. 

Put the bowl in the microwave, shut the door, and run the microwave on high for 5 minutes.

3. Let it steam for a few minutes.

When the timer goes off, don’t open the microwave right away. Leave the door shut for 2-3 more minutes to let the steam continue to work. The steam will help loosen up caked on bits of food, and the vinegar and lemon oil will help eliminate any odors.

4. Remove the bowl and turntable.

When you open the door, be careful pulling the bowl out; it will be very hot! Remove the turntable tray (carefully, it will be hot as well) and wash it in the sink.

5. Wipe the microwave down with a sponge

Take your sponge and wipe down the inside of the microwave; the dirt and food will come right off!

how to clean a microwave with vinegar and steam
how to clean a microwave with vinegar and steam

How To Clean A Microwave With Vinegar & Steam

4.73 from 18 votes
Clean a microwave in minutes! All you need is vinegar and water, no scrubbing required!
Active Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Equipment

  • microwaveable bowl
  • sponge

Materials

  • 2 C water
  • 2 T vinegar
  • toothpick
  • essential oils optional

Instructions
 

  • Fill a microwaveable bowl with 2 cups of water and add 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Drop a toothpick in the bowl. [mv_img id="24809"]
    how to clean a microwave with vinegar and steam
  • Put the bowl in the microwave and turn it on high for 5 minutes.
  • Leave the door shut for 2-3 more minutes so the steam can loosen up caked on bits of food, and the vinegar will help eliminate any odors.
  • Remove the bowl and turntable (be careful, it will be hot!) and wash the turntable in the sink.
  • Wipe down the inside of the microwave with a damp sponge; the dirt and food will come right off! [mv_img id="24810"]
    how to clean a microwave with vinegar and steam

Video

Notes

Liquids can get superheated in a microwave and “explode”. It isn’t common, but it can happen. Bubbles can’t form on a smooth surface, so if you’re microwaving liquid in a perfectly smooth container no bubbles will form (i.e. the liquid won’t boil) until it is jostled. This can cause it to “explode” into boiling when you open the microwave or try to remove the bowl.
But don’t worry too much; most consumer bowls and cups are not perfectly smooth. Even things like glass that feel smooth to the touch still have minor imperfections in the surface that will allow bubbles to form.
Also, the turntable in the microwave should jostle the liquid enough to allow it to boil while the bowl rotates in the microwave. But it never hurts to be safe, so drop a toothpick in your bowl; bubbles will be able to form on the wood, causing the water to boil without exploding.

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You could also use the Angry Mama microwave cleaner to steam clean your microwave, which eliminates the “smooth surface” problem of a glass bowl. Plus she’s cute, and only a couple bucks!

how to clean a microwave with vinegar and steam

Another way to clean your microwave is to get a sponge soaking wet, pour about a teaspoon of vinegar on it, and then microwave the sponge. However, this method doesn’t create as much steam as microwaving a bowl of water, so if your microwave is really dirty, use the bowl instead.

Do you have any other tips for cleaning a microwave? I was thrilled with how easy this was! What other kitchen cleaning tips have you tried?

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Jessi Wohlwend

I believe that anyone can do crafts and DIY projects, regardless of skill or experience. I love sharing simple craft ideas, step by step DIY project tutorials, cleaning hacks, and other tips and tricks all with one goal in mind: giving you the tools you need to “do it yourself”, complete fun projects, and make awesome things!

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Reader Interactions

  1. Heather Kinnaird says

    12 years ago

    Doing this now!! thanks for sharing

  2. Thrifty Crafty Girl says

    12 years ago

    I do something similar, but I use lemon juice instead of vinegar… works like a charm!

    I'm your newest follower from the blog hop!

  3. Betsy @ Romance on a Dime says

    12 years ago

    I need to do this…first thing tomorrow morning! I keep putting it off too. Thanks for posting this and linking up to Romance on a Dime!! I'm pinning this!

  4. ~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ says

    12 years ago

    Great idea! I'm going to try this, thanks for sharing! Its due to be cleaned…even though we cover almost everything that goes in, still get those little splatters lol. Have a great Tuesday! xo Holly

  5. Rita B Caldwell says

    12 years ago

    I use this idea all the time and it's such a time saver and works so well.

  6. Kendra @ A Proverbs 31 Wife says

    12 years ago

    I have crocheted dish scrubbers that I just throw in the laundry.
    Vinegar and baking soda are awesome, that's for sure and they work together nicely to unclog drains.

  7. Anonymous says

    12 years ago

    A little vinegar and baking soda (watch when mixing the two due to them making a volcano) will clean about ANYTHING!! You can also try lemon juice and salt mixed together to get stuck on stuff. Be careful to not SCRATCH your appliances to much or it can ruin your finish. And for your sponges, run them through your dishwasher with your dishes and they are nice and clean and germ free!!

    • Michael Coffey says

      8 years ago

      Hello Anon. As a n older member of the male set(67) I was interested with your use of vinegar/bakingsoda.I have lost my sense of smell, and nearly killed my wife by using the wrong stuff. I am trying out Jessi`s method ( aint got no soda, will coke do?) The m/w has pinged, so its back to work.
      See ya:)>-<

  8. Jessi W says

    12 years ago

    What a great idea for the sponges! I've just been tossing them when they get icky but I'll try this next time!

    • Linda Rosenquist says

      7 years ago

      Everything I run the dishwasher I put my sponge in . Gets them so clean and sanitary.

      • Becky S says

        5 years ago

        ditto with my vegetable and dish brushes, and scrubber pads, in the top rack

      • Valerie says

        4 years ago

        5 stars
        Yep…really extends the sponges’ lifetime. I also put my scrub-brush-type dishwashing wand, palm brush, and bottle brush in there occasionally, in the silverware basket. This also serves to remove any built-up dish soap residue that forms inside the types that dispense dish soap.

  9. Jessi W says

    12 years ago

    Yeah…I really should be better about covering food in the microwave… *sheepish look* 🙂 But this was so easy to do it sorta makes up for it!

    • Michael Coffey says

      8 years ago

      Hi Jessi. I did as you said, and I now have a very clean and shiny M/W. Thanks for the tip,as I told Anon. having no sense of smell can be dangerous, for the other person! But I cannot go wrong with your tips.
      Thank you,again. And keep up the good work, for us mear Mortals!!!!!

  10. Katie says

    12 years ago

    I am obsessive about covering food in the microwave so it doesn't get to that state…but Hyphen is less so. I've steamed a wet sponge to loosen everything, but the bowl with water and vinegar seems more effective!

    As for stoves…yeah, mine too!

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