Accidentally let a pot of soup overflow in the microwave or caught a bag of popcorn on fire? Sigh. We’ve all been there. Honestly, it's happened to me more times than I can count. Plus, it's even more annoying when you actually have a nice microwave that you tend to use quite often.
One minute everything looks fine, you step away from the microwave for just a few seconds, only to return and find that all hell's broke loose, and the inside of your microwave now looks like something’s exploded in there, leaving scorch marks and burn stains adorning every surface.
When your microwave ends up getting burnt and you're left with scorch marks that seem impossible to remove, it's easy to assume that the best course of action is to replace the microwave. Isn't it? But the good news is that, in most cases, you can usually get it clean — it just takes a little elbow grease, that's all.
Here's how to remove those unsightly burn stains from the inside of your microwave.
Good to know
Time: 30-minutes (don't panic, that includes time for the products to sit)
Effort: Easy
Here’s what you’ll need
- Distilled white vinegar (we always like to recommend this one from Heinz that you get from Amazon)
- Dish soap (you can’t go wrong with this Dawn dish soap from Amazon)
- Sponges (these Homexcel ones from Amazon are a great option)
- Acetone (this Alliance Chemical Store one from Amazon should work a treat)
- Paper towels (these Bounty ones — available from Amazon — are my normal go-to)
- CLR cleaner (this CLR cleaner from Amazon is a good option)
How to remove burn stains from a microwave
Step 1: Make the cleaning solution
For removing normal grease and grime from your microwave, a solution of one part white vinegar (like this Heinz white vinegar available from Amazon), one part water, and a few drops of dish soap (Dawn dish soap from Amazon is my go-to) should do the trick. Mix these together in a bowl, ready to use.
Step 2: Wipe down the inside of the microwave
Next, dip a sponge — like these Homexcel sponges from Amazon— into the mixture and begin to wipe away any areas of grease and grime that you can spot.
Don’t worry if darker scorch or burn marks don’t seem to budge, I've got a hack for that a few steps down.
Step 3: Fill a bowl with distilled vinegar
If after wiping the microwave out there are still areas of caked-on stains or buildup, the next step is to fill a microwave-safe bowl with distilled vinegar and a slice of fresh lemon.
Heat the solution for two to five minutes in the microwave, until it’s steaming hot. Allow the solution to sit in the microwave for a few minutes before removing it so the steam begins to loosen any debris.
Step 4: Remove the bowl and wipe the interior of the microwave down
Next, remove the bowl carefully from the microwave (remember it will be hot!) and pour the vinegar away.
Then, use a sponge to wipe around the inside of the microwave, removing any loosened grease and grime, before wiping it dry with a piece of paper towel.
Step 5: Use a CLR cleaner or acetone to remove discoloration and scorch marks
For getting rid of any areas of discoloration or scorch marks, you can either use a CLR cleaner — like this highly recommended CLR cleaner from Amazon — or acetone.
Put gloves on, spray the problem areas with CLR or acetone, allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then scrub with a sponge. This should help to reduce the discoloration and remove the scorch marks.
Step 6: Wipe out the interior of the microwave
Once you’ve scrubbed the microwave and removed the discoloration and stains, the next step is to use a clean, damp sponge to wipe the microwave out, removing any cleaner residue. Then, use a paper towel to dry the interior.
FAQS
How do you clean a black burnt microwave?
For removing black burn stains from a microwave, a CLR cleaner or acetone tends to work quite well. Apply the cleaner to the stain, leave it to sit, and then use a clean damp sponge to wipe it away. Just make sure to wear gloves while using these formulas.
How do I get the yellow burn out of my microwave?
Placing a bowl of distilled vinegar with lemon into the microwave and heating it up until it’s steaming, should help to loosen any stubborn yellow burn stains. You should then be able to wipe away any staining using a sponge.
How do you clean a metal burn in the microwave?
Sprinkle liberal amounts of baking soda inside your microwave, focusing primarily on any heavily burnt areas, and use a warm damp cloth to gently buff the interior. The baking soda should help to gently lift the stains, removing the burn residue.
