Your Microwave Guide: How to Clean Greasy Vents

Microwaves have a way of simplifying life; their quick-heating abilities are responsible for moms everywhere getting to enjoy a sip or two of actual, hot coffee. Between the mug reheating and quick meal prep help, microwaves get a lot of daily use and can accrue quite the mess. 

The splatter, in particular, is a dreaded inevitability of microwaving. It’s greasy and can be a pain to remove. Instead of closing the door and hoping another member of your family will get it cleaned up (what false hope!), check out our easy steps for properly cleaning the microwave. We’ll show you what needs to be cleaned, and how frequently- including the often forgotten microwave vents. 

Cleaning the Microwave: The Basics

Most microwave mess is pretty visible, so it’s easily wiped up as needed. This type of cleaning should be done daily to keep the area spotless for food prep.

1. Wet a cloth with warm water and soap; wipe away any food particles or grease.
2. For a more thorough clean- once a week- heat water and white vinegar solution in a ceramic dish for 2-3 minutes. Allow the steam to cover the interior of the microwave. Then, take the cloth and wipe all surfaces. A microfiber cloth is preferable over a paper towel, as it won’t leave any white residue.
3. Remove the microwave plate and carousel. If you’ve used the vinegar solution trick, wipe these with a microfiber cloth. Otherwise, use warm, soapy water and wash regularly in the sick. Return to the microwave once they’ve dried.

For a more in-depth guide to everything microwave cleaning-related, click here.

How to Clean Microwave Vent

If you’re new to the world of deep cleaning, you might be thinking: microwave vent (?!) Most microwaves have two primary vents: one located above the door, and the exhaust grill underneath. These vents need to be cleaned once per month. If you’ve never cleaned yours, you’re in luck! We’ll show you how.

1. Unplug the appliance first. 
2. Your microwave may have a plastic grill at the top. This type of vent might require unscrewing it to clean. Once you have the vent, use hot water and dish soap; allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then get scrubbing! If you encounter tricky grease stains, try adding some baking soda to the hot water to allow for easier scrubbing.
3. Return the vent to the machine once it’s completely dry.
4. The vent below the microwave can most likely be easily removed by sliding it to one side. Follow the steps above to clean.
5. While the filter is drying, use this time to clean the glass light cover by wiping it with a microfiber cloth.

Cleaning these vents once a month will ensure that the exhaust fans continue to work efficiently.

If you need some help getting your home in order, call The Maids. We understand cleaning services are not one size fits all. That’s why we offer a variety of package options that cater to your home’s specific needs. These include things like hand-wiping blinds, sweeping your porch or patio, cleaning appliance interiors, and more! See what we have to offer, and get a free estimate.