Written by MaidEX Cleaning Services Editorial Team · Reviewed by Milad Hoseini, Founder & CEO · Published September 17, 2026 · Updated October 16, 2026 · 4 min read
Quick answer
The fast way: microwave a bowl of water with half a lemon (or 2 tbsp white vinegar) on high for 4–5 minutes until the window fogs, then leave the door closed another 2–3 minutes. The trapped steam loosens every splatter, so it wipes away top-to-bottom with almost no scrubbing. Wash the turntable in warm soapy water, wipe the door and seals, and skip abrasive pads or harsh sprays — they scratch the interior and can leave a smell.
What you'll need
Almost nothing fancy. A microwave-safe bowl, about a cup of water, and half a lemon or a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar.
You'll also want a soft cloth or two, a little dish soap, and a toothpick or cotton swab for the corners. That's the whole kit.
Skip abrasive pads and harsh sprays inside a microwave. They can scratch the interior and leave a smell that ends up in your food.
The fast steam method, step by step
Fill your bowl with about a cup of water. Squeeze in the juice from half a lemon and drop the rind in too, or add two tablespoons of white vinegar instead.
Put the bowl in the microwave and heat it on high for four to five minutes, until the window fogs up and you can see steam. That steam is doing the hard work, loosening every dried-on splatter.
When it finishes, leave the door closed for another two to three minutes. Don't rush this part. The trapped steam keeps softening the grime while the bowl cools enough to touch.
Wipe it out (top, sides and turntable)
Open the door and carefully lift out the bowl. It will be hot, so use a towel or oven mitt.
Now wipe the inside with your cloth, starting at the roof and working down the sides to the floor. The gunk should come away with almost no pressure. For any stubborn spots, dip the cloth in the warm lemon water and hold it against the spot for a few seconds.
Take out the glass turntable and its roller ring and wash them in warm soapy water like a regular dish. Dry them and set them back in place. Use a toothpick or cotton swab to reach the little grooves and corners the cloth misses.
Don't forget the door and seals
The door and the rubber or plastic seals around the frame catch a surprising amount of splatter and fingerprints. Wipe both sides of the door with a barely damp soapy cloth, then buff dry so you don't leave streaks.
Run your cloth gently along the seals and the little vents. Keep them clean but don't soak them, and never poke anything metal into the vent holes.
For the glass, a dry microfibre cloth after the damp one gives you that clear, streak-free finish.
Deodorize and finish
If a strong smell lingers after cleaning, the lemon usually handles it. For a stubborn odour, leave a small open bowl of baking soda inside overnight with the door closed, then remove it in the morning.
Give the outside a quick wipe too, especially the handle and the buttons, since those get touched constantly. A soft damp cloth is all you need.
Leave the door open for a few minutes so the inside dries fully before you close it up. Damp corners are what invite that musty smell back.
A quick safety note
The bowl, the water and the steam are all genuinely hot after heating, so give it a moment and use a towel. Steam burns are easy to avoid if you wait.
Never microwave anything metal, including foil, twist ties or a cloth with a metal thread. It can spark and damage the unit.
Unplug the microwave before any deeper wipe-down around the buttons or vents, and keep water away from the electrical panel.
How often should you do this
A ten-second wipe after anything splatters keeps the job tiny and stops buildup before it bakes on.
Plan on the full steam clean about once a week if you use the microwave daily, or every couple of weeks for lighter use.
In a busy Vancouver household where the microwave runs for lunches and quick dinners, once a week keeps it looking after-market clean without much effort.
When to let MaidEX handle it
On a standard MaidEX clean, our team wipes down the outside of your microwave along with the rest of your kitchen surfaces. It stays part of the routine, not an extra.
When you book a deep clean, inside-appliance detail like the microwave interior is included, so the steam, the turntable and the seals all get done for you.
Every MaidEX clean comes with a satisfaction guarantee, so if something isn't right we'll re-clean it free within 24 hours. Our cleaners are insured and background-checked, which is worth knowing when someone new is in your kitchen.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use vinegar or lemon?
Either works well. Lemon leaves a fresher smell, while white vinegar is a bit stronger on greasy buildup. Use whichever you have, and if the vinegar smell bothers you, the lemon is the friendlier choice.
How do I get rid of a burnt smell?
Steam with lemon first, then leave a small open bowl of baking soda inside overnight with the door closed. Remove it in the morning and the odour is usually gone.
Can I clean the microwave with the turntable still inside?
You can wipe around it, but it is easier and more thorough to lift the glass plate and roller ring out and wash them separately in warm soapy water. They go right back in once dry.
Is it safe to use dish soap inside the microwave?
Yes, a little dish soap on a damp cloth is fine for the interior and door. Just avoid abrasive pads and harsh chemical sprays, and wipe with clean water afterward so nothing lingers where your food heats.
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Book a cleanAbout the author
Milad Hoseini
Founder & CEO, MaidEX Cleaning Services
Written by the MaidEX Cleaning Services Editorial Team and reviewed by Milad Hoseini, who founded MaidEX in Vancouver. MaidEX provides insured, background-checked cleaning across Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. More about MaidEX →
How this guide was made
This guide draws on MaidEX's hands-on cleaning experience across Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, along with publicly available sources. It was drafted with the help of AI tools, then reviewed and fact-checked by our editorial team and approved by Milad Hoseini, Founder & CEO, before publishing.