DIY Vinegar Cleaner for Microwave: Natural, Fast & Easy

by Danielle

Published: July 5th, 2025

Microwave disasters happen to the best of us—sauce eruptions, cheese volcanoes, mystery goo.

Fear not! This vinegar cleaner for the microwave turns that mess into gleaming glass. In under ten minutes, you’ll banish stains and fill your kitchen with fresh lemon or herb scents.

Curious how simple ingredients can unleash serious steam power? Read on.

Microwave cleaning hack

Tools and Materials:

½ cup white vinegar
½ cup water
Microwave-safe bowl
Lemon (optional)
Few drops of essential oils (e.g., lemon, lavender) (optional)
Soft sponge or microfiber cloth
Baking soda (for extra stubborn stains)
Protective oven mitts

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Banishes stubborn microwave splatters in minutes with this trick

1. Mix Your Cleaning Solution

In your microwave-safe bowl, combine ½ cup of white vinegar with ½ cup of water.
Optionally, squeeze in the juice of half a lemon or add 2–3 drops of your favorite essential oils to boost the fresh scent.

Your go-to citrus vinegar cleaner for the microwave

Tip: The lemon not only smells amazing but also adds a gentle degreasing punch!

Homemade microwave cleaner

2. Heat & Steam

Place the bowl in the center of the microwave.
Heat on high for 5 minutes, or until the solution comes to a rolling boil and the window steams up.
Let it sit—don’t open the door—for an additional 2–3 minutes to let the steam loosen grime.

Citrus vinegar cleaner

3. Wipe It Clean

Option A – Steam-Only Wipe (for light messes): Dampen a soft sponge or microfiber cloth with water and glide across the steamed walls—most splatters will slide right off with minimal effort.

Let that vinegar cleaner steam soften the gunk

Option B – Soap-Boosted Wipe ( for grease bombs): Stir one small drop of Dawn dish soap into the warm water. Dip your sponge into this soapy mix and gently wipe any extra-greasy spots, then rinse the sponge and finish with a plain-water wipe so no suds remain.

Tip: If you used essential oils, leave the bowl out with fresh water overnight to clear out the scent before your next microwave session.

How to clean a microwave effortlessly

6 Clever Variations to Try

Herb-Infused Steam: Add a sprig of rosemary or mint to the vinegar solution for a botanical aroma and mild antimicrobial lift.
Citrus Peel Boost: Drop in orange or grapefruit peels—oils from the rinds supercharge grease-cutting and leave a bright zest behind.
Tea Bag Trick: After steaming, rub a used herbal tea bag over walls to pick up grime and impart a gentle scent.
Apple Cider Vinegar Swap: Swap white vinegar for apple cider vinegar to get the same cleaning power with a subtly sweeter, homey scent.
Baking Soda Bomb: After steaming, sprinkle a tablespoon of baking soda on tough spots—let it fizz for 1 minute to lift stubborn burnt-on bits.
Vanilla Vodka Deodorizer: Add 2 tablespoons vodka and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the mix so the alcohol accelerates evaporation and leaves a cozy vanilla aroma.