How to Clean a Microwave with Vinegar

If you missed the introduction to How to Clean a Microwave, go read it now before you continue reading the two vinegar cleaner methods detailed below.
Not only is a dirty microwave unpleasant to look at, but it can also transfer foul odors to the food being cooked inside it, and harbor bacteria and germs.  The most frequent answer people give for why their microwaves are so dirty is that they don’t know how to properly clean them.  Cleaning a microwave is easy, and we’re going to help today by offering several different methods for how to get yours in tiptop shape.
First, follow the Preliminary Steps 1-5 here, then choose one of the following two methods:

How to Clean a Microwave with Vinegar

1. Fill a microwave safe bowl or container with half vinegar and half water. (Regular distilled vinegar is already diluted with water, but the additional dilution will help to cut down the vinegar smell.)
2. Put the bowl into the microwave and turn on for 2 to 3 minutes.  The goal is to create a good steam inside the microwave.
3. Remove the bowl and wipe all the food off of the walls with a damp sponge.
4. Once the food particles have been removed, dip the sponge into the vinegar mixture from the bowl, and finish wiping down all surfaces inside the microwave.
5. Leave the door of the microwave open to allow the inside to air dry.
6. Once dry, replace the glass tray.

Or, you can try the vinegar in a spray bottle cleaning method below.

How to Clean a Microwave with Vinegar in a Spray Bottle

1. Fill a spray bottle with half vinegar and half water. (Regular distilled vinegar is already diluted with water, but the additional dilution will help to cut down the vinegar smell.)
2. Unplug the microwave from the electrical outlet.
3. Spray down the walls, ceiling, and bottom of the microwave with the vinegar mixture, being careful to avoid spraying directly into the lights or the vent holes.
4. Wait for 2 minutes.
5. Using a damp sponge, wipe down all surfaces inside the microwave.
6. If any stubborn food particles remain, use a bunched up paper towel to remove them.
7. Leave the door of the microwave open to allow the inside to air dry.
8. Once dry, replace the glass tray.
9. Plug the microwave back in.

Read our other microwave cleaning tips in the How to Clean a Microwave guide to get your microwave spotless in no time!