?
Well, it all depends on how often you use it, according to Australian consumer group Choice .
Choice suggests immediately removing any spills with a damp cloth.
You can also wipe the microwave interior down with a microfibre cloth immediately after cooking steamy foods (such as vegetables and rice) because it will be warm and damp, Choice says.
Jason Shipway runs a cleaning business and lives in Bunbury, Western Australia, on the traditional lands of the Noongar people.
“We clean houses weekly, fortnightly, monthly and I find the ones that we clean weekly, their microwaves are pretty much never dirty.”
Shipway suggests giving your microwave a proper clean about every two weeks “to keep on top of it”.
And if you’re worried that skipping a clean is too much of a health hazard, it’s probably okay.
“The risks from not cleaning the microwave in general are very low,” says Dr Rozita Vaskoska, a microbiologist and senior scientist with the CSIRO.
Recently prepared food coming into contact with old “food remains” could create a “very low” risk of contamination.
But Vaskoska says cleaning up any food spills, splatters or leaks as soon as they happen eliminates that concern.
Other than that, she suggests giving the inside a wipe-down every few days or weekly.
What is the best way to clean the inside of a microwave?
Shipway says the best solution is to use water, lemon slices and vinegar.
“Get a little bowl and fill it with one or two cups of water. Slice up a lemon [and add it to the bowl], add a few dashes of vinegar in there and then you just turn the microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes.”
This method loosens up old food grime and oil stains while also deodorising, Shipway says.
“Everything will just wipe off really easily without potentially harming anything in the microwave.”
Choice recommends the same approach:
Adding vinegar or lemon to a heat-proof bowl of water,
Running the microwave until the water is boiling,
Leaving the microwave door closed for 5 minutes for the steam to loosen the residue and;
Wiping the interior
Choice suggests staying nearby while the microwave is on to make sure the solution doesn’t boil over and warns that the bowl will be hot when you remove it.
“You can also remove the turntable [microwave plate], rinse it off and wipe each side down with a paper towel to let your microwave shine once more.”
The turntable can also be cleaned in your sink or dishwasher (if it’s dishwasher safe and small enough), Choice says.
Choice also recommends wiping the exterior with a cloth and warm soapy water as part of a more thorough clean.
Rozita Vaskoska says it’s best to clean up food spills immediately.
Supplied/Rozita Vaskoska
Look for any gunk around dials and crevices (a toothbrush or toothpick may be called for).
You can even make a paste with water and bicarb soda and scrub gently to help tackle stubborn residue, Choice adds.
“Never use anything metal and make sure the microwave is unplugged before you start.”
Vaskoska recommends wiping down the inside of the microwave with warm water and a little dishwashing liquid.
“And, then washing the plate as [you would] any other dish would be sufficient.”
Methods to avoid
Shipway says people often spray a degreaser inside their microwave to loosen up any build-up, but he doesn’t recommend it.
“If there’s any residue left behind, it’s going to [spread] up into the internals of the microwave [when it heats up] and it could damage it.”
If you’re going to use any products inside the microwave ensure they are food safe, Shipway says.
Choice also advises against using harsh or specialist chemicals for the job.
Vaskoska says “conventional methods” involving detergent, vinegar or baking soda are all good options.
“People should avoid abrasive chemicals or even some flammable chemicals, such as some alcohol.”
