Guide · Kitchen and dishes ·
How to Clean a Microwave
Food and grease splashed inside a microwave dry and stick a little more with every heating. Because the interior is in contact with food, it is cleaned only with dishwashing liquid; the exterior and door are wiped like a home appliance. This guide explains how to safely clean the inside, turntable, door and exterior of a microwave and what to avoid.
Before cleaning
- Unplug: unplug the microwave before you start cleaning.
- Let it cool: if the appliance and turntable have just been used, wait for them to cool.
- Check the manual: the cleaning instructions in the user manual take priority; grill and steam models may have special instructions.
How to clean the inside of a microwave?
- Remove the turntable: take out the glass turntable and the roller ring.
- Soften the splashes: press a cloth dampened with lukewarm water and a little dishwashing liquid onto stuck-on splashes for a few minutes to soften them.
- Wipe: wipe the inner roof, side walls and floor with a soft sponge; wring the cloth out well so that no water collects inside.
- Rinse and dry: wipe the interior with a clean damp cloth so that no detergent remains, dry it with a dry cloth and leave the door open for a while.
- Vents and waveguide cover: do not apply water or detergent to the small cover on the inner wall or the vents; wipe them carefully with a lightly damp cloth only.
Turntable and door glass
Wash the glass turntable and roller ring by hand with lukewarm water and dishwashing liquid; if the manufacturer allows, the turntable can go in the dishwasher. Put the turntable back only when it is completely dry. Wipe the inside of the door glass with a cloth dampened with dishwashing liquid and the outside by spraying glass cleaner onto a cloth (how to use glass cleaner); remove dirt from the door seals with a damp cloth.
The outside of the microwave
Wipe the painted and plastic outer surfaces with a well-wrung cloth and a neutral surface cleaner added to lukewarm water at the amount on the label. According to its safety data sheet, our START all-purpose surface cleaner has a pH of 7–8. Stainless steel doors and housings are cleaned with stainless steel polish. Do not spray products onto the control panel and vents; apply the cleaner to the cloth. For details, see how to clean home appliances.
A yellowed microwave
Yellowing on the inner and outer plastic surfaces of a microwave is mostly the material ageing with heat and time; it may not disappear completely with cleaning. The yellowish film left by grease vapour, however, fades with regular cleaning. Bleach and abrasives do not remove yellowing and are not used inside.
What not to do
- Using degreaser, bleach or any cleaning product other than dishwashing liquid inside the microwave.
- Scrubbing the inside with wire sponges, metal scrapers and abrasive cream; the interior coating gets damaged.
- Spraying water or cleaner onto the appliance and letting liquid get into the vents.
- Wiping the inside and the control panel with a wet cloth while it is plugged in.
- For air fryers and sandwich toasters: how to clean an air fryer, how to clean a sandwich toaster.
- For waffle makers: how to clean a waffle maker.
For office kitchens and cafés
In office kitchens and cafés, microwaves are used many times a day; wiping the inside every day prevents stuck-on splashes from building up. TETİK Dishwashing Liquid is produced in 750 g, 5 kg, 20 kg and 30 kg packs and our START all-purpose surface cleaner in 5 L. For product lists, see our guides office cleaning supplies and restaurant cleaning supplies; request a quote for bulk purchases.
