How to Clean a Microwave (NZ Homes): Step-by-Step
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- How to Clean a Microwave (NZ Homes): Step-by-Step
Baked-on splatters, lingering smells and a dull-looking interior — here’s how to clean a microwave properly using steam and a low-tox enzyme cleaner, no scrubbing required.
Add a cup of water with a spoonful of bicarbonate of soda to a microwave-safe bowl, heat on high for 3-5 minutes until it steams up, then let it stand for 5 minutes with the door shut. Wipe the interior with a damp cloth, treating stuck-on food with a concentrated enzyme cleaner, then dry with a microfibre towel.
Knowing how to clean a microwave properly comes down to using steam to do the hard work for you, rather than scrubbing at baked-on splatters with a dry cloth. A low-tox enzyme cleaner handles anything the steam doesn’t fully loosen.
Microwave odours usually come from trapped food residue rather than the appliance itself. Run the steam-and-bicarb method above, then leave a small open bowl of bicarbonate of soda inside overnight with the door closed — it absorbs lingering smells rather than just masking them.
Fish, curry and popcorn are the usual culprits on the North Shore, and the smell tends to sit in the door seal and vents long after the main cavity looks clean.
Skip steel wool, abrasive scourers and oven cleaner — all three can scratch the interior coating or leave fumes that linger in food afterwards. Stick to a soft cloth, bicarbonate of soda and a low-tox enzyme cleaner, and always spray the cloth rather than the appliance itself.
A microwave is a small, enclosed space, so anything harsh you use in it tends to stick around longer than in an open room. This is where Clean for Good’s low-tox approach matters most — no bleach, no ammonia, ever.
For everyday grime, yes — steam alone will loosen most of it. For baked-on or greasy patches, follow up with a concentrated enzyme cleaner so you get a proper clean without scrubbing.
Wipe up spills after each use and do a full steam clean weekly. A microwave used daily for reheating will need it more often than one that only gets used occasionally.
Odours often sit in the door seal or vents rather than the main cavity. Wipe those separately with an enzyme cleaner and leave an open bowl of bicarb inside overnight to absorb what’s left.
Yes. Enzyme cleaners are low-tox and safe for the interior — just spray it onto your cloth rather than directly on the keypad or vents, and it’s gentle enough for regular use.
Remove them and wash in warm soapy water, or place in the dishwasher if the manufacturer says it’s safe. Let a warm glass turntable cool first so it doesn’t crack from the temperature change.
A microwave doesn’t need harsh chemicals to come up spotless. A bowl of water and bicarb loosens most of the mess with steam alone, and a concentrated enzyme cleaner handles anything that’s baked on — no scrubbing required.
Stephanie founded Clean for Good to bring a healthier, more thoughtful approach to home cleaning on Auckland’s North Shore, using low-tox, effective methods and a team that treats every home like their own.
@cleanforgoodnz
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Ready to come home to a house that feels cared for?Every home is different, which is why every quote starts with a complimentary home visit. We’ll get to know your home, understand what matters most to you, and create a tailored cleaning plan that fits your family. Prefer to chat first? 020 4010 2470
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