When it comes to microwave cleaning tricks, remember that steam is your best friend. With that in mind, here are seven hacks to make cleaning this near-essential appliance a breeze. “Let the steam do its job—don’t open the door for at least five minutes,” Rapinchuk says. If the microwave isn’t steamy after that time, microwave the water for another minute and let it sit, then use a wet microfiber cleaning cloth to wipe it clean.
Always cover whatever you’re heating up, even if it’s just for 10 seconds, with a paper towel or a perforated microwave cover. (Ever had a stick of butter explode when you were just nuking it? A cover will prevent that.) Wipe down the inside of your microwave whenever you clean the kitchen counters. Avoid microwaving items that leave lingering grease and/or smells, such as bacon or microwave popcorn. If that’s not an option, do a quick clean immediately after cooking: Add water and lemon to a small bowl, microwave for a few minutes, let it stand for five minutes, and then wipe the inside clean.
