Few kitchen jobs get put off as long as cleaning the microwave. The splatter bakes on a little more each time you reheat something, until the ceiling looks like a map. The trick is softening it first, and that is what most microwave cleaners are there to do.
This guide covers seven microwave cleaners from named makers, including five reusable steam cleaners, one spray and one pack of wipes. We have not used them ourselves, and the evidence for this category is thin. Where a pick rests only on its listing, we say so.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, maker instructions, product listings and published reviews, which we name where we use them.
Quick verdict: the best microwave cleaner for most kitchens
Start with the Tovolo Microwave Steam Cleaner. It uses water and vinegar, has fill lines, and states a 3-minute run. For grime that steam will not lift, use Zep’s Air Fryer and Microwave Cleaner, which names microwaves on its label.
Steam loosens the mess and you do the wiping, so keep a cloth handy. Read your microwave’s manual before using a chemical spray inside it.
Five microwave cleaners side by side
Five of the seven, one for each kind of buyer. All seven are described in full below.
| Cleaner | Best for | Stated time | Key limit | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tovolo Microwave Steam Cleaner with Fill LinesBest overall
|
Regular cleaning | 3 minutes | You still wipe | View on Amazon |
| Baked-on grease | Read the bottle | Chemical cleaner | View on Amazon | |
| A fun gift | 5 to 7 minutes | Longer run | View on Amazon | |
TOPIST Angry Mama Microwave Steam CleanerBest known design
|
The known design | 7 minutes | Amazon-first brand | View on Amazon |
| Quick wipe-ups | Not stated | Not for baked-on grime | View on Amazon |
Details come from Amazon listings. Follow your microwave’s manual and each product’s own directions.
Our picks for the best microwave cleaner
The Tovolo is the sensible start. After it come a spray for hard jobs, the novelty steamers, and wipes for quick clean-ups.
1. Tovolo Microwave Steam Cleaner with Fill Lines – Clear Fill Lines, Quick Run
Tovolo is an established kitchen-tools maker, and this steam cleaner is the plainest of the type. It is a plain silicone bottle, with no cartoon character. Fill lines inside show how much water and vinegar to add, and a vented screw top lets the steam out. Tovolo’s listing says to heat it for 3 minutes and then wipe the microwave clean.
The listing says it is made of BPA-free, heat-resistant silicone and is dishwasher safe. It measures about 5.5 inches tall, so it fits most microwaves, and the double-wall build is meant to prevent spills. We read no independent review, so this pick rests on the maker’s name and listing. Handle it carefully when it comes out, because anything that has just made steam will be hot.
Why we like it
- No guessing, thanks to fill lines
- Shortest stated run here
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 1001095 |
|---|---|
| Type | Reusable steam cleaner |
| Fill or formula | Water and vinegar |
| Run or wait time, per the listing | 3 minutes |
| Material or count | BPA-free silicone |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Microwave wording on the listing | Made for microwaves |
| After use | Wipe clean |
Why we recommend it
This is for anyone who wants the steam method without a novelty shape on the counter.
Skip it if the grime is thick and old. Steam softens; you will still need a cloth, and possibly a second run.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Plain design
- Quick cycle
- Established kitchen brand
Cons
- No independent review read
- You supply the vinegar
- Wiping still needed
2. Zep Home Pro Air Fryer and Microwave Cleaner, 24 oz – A Spray for Baked-On Grease
When steam does not move it, a spray is the next step. Zep’s listing says this one is specially formulated for air fryers, microwaves and conventional ovens, to remove baked-on grease and food residue, and it describes the formula as fume free and biodegradable. It names microwaves in the title, which makes it one of the few chemical cleaners here that is clearly made for the job.
The listing doesn’t give a wait time, rinse step or warnings, and we could not open Zep’s own page to read them. So read the bottle. Your microwave’s manual matters too. Rinse or wipe as the label directs, since a microwave is where your food goes. This is a chemical cleaner and not a steam method, so use it only when you need more than steam.
Why we like it
- Names microwaves directly
- Fume free, per the listing
- Also covers air fryers
Key specifications
| Model | R49306 |
|---|---|
| Type | Trigger spray |
| Fill or formula | Cleaner, 24 oz |
| Run or wait time, per the listing | Not stated; read the bottle |
| Material or count | 24 oz |
| Dishwasher safe | Not applicable |
| Microwave wording on the listing | Air fryers, microwaves, conventional ovens |
| After use | Follow the bottle |
Why we recommend it
It suits a neglected microwave, or a household that also owns an air fryer and wants one bottle for both.
Skip it if you prefer no chemical inside a food appliance. Use steam instead.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stronger option
- Also handles ovens
- Sold directly by Amazon when we checked
Cons
- Directions aren’t on the listing
- Chemical cleaner in a food appliance
- We read no outside review
3. Fred Dragon’s Breath Microwave Steam Cleaner – Clear Steps, Fun Design
This little dragon from Fred breathes steam. The listing gives exact directions: remove the head, add 2 oz of white vinegar and 2 oz of water, replace the head, and microwave on high for 5 to 7 minutes. Let it sit for another 1 to 2 minutes, and take it out carefully by the tail.
What we like most is the listing’s honesty. It says the dragon is designed to loosen cooked-on grime and doesn’t replace the final wipe-down. It is made of BPA-free, food-safe silicone, measures about 4.2 by 5.1 by 3.2 inches, and is dishwasher safe. The longer run time is a real cost next to the Tovolo, but this one makes a better gift, and the listing itself suggests it for housewarmings.
Why we like it
- Exact amounts and timing
- Honest about needing a wipe-down
- Silicone, dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 5321926 |
|---|---|
| Type | Reusable steam cleaner |
| Fill or formula | 2 oz vinegar, 2 oz water |
| Run or wait time, per the listing | 5 to 7 minutes, then 1 to 2 minutes to sit |
| Material or count | BPA-free silicone |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Microwave wording on the listing | Microwave safe; for microwave cleaning |
| After use | Wipe with a cloth or sponge |
Why we recommend it
Buy this for a housewarming gift, or to make a dull chore a bit less dull.
Skip it if you want the fastest run. The Tovolo states 3 minutes.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear instructions
- Named maker
- Sold directly by Amazon when we checked
Cons
- Longer run
- Novelty shape takes a little storage room
- Wipe-down still required
4. OTOTO Dracowave Microwave Steam Cleaner – Design-Led Steam Dragon
OTOTO describes itself on the listing as a design-awarded studio making cute kitchen accessories. Dracowave is its dragon take on the same idea. Inside are markings for the mix: 2 oz of vinegar and 1.4 oz of water, with a few drops of lemon for smell. You twist it to lock, and microwave it for 5 to 8 minutes on normal power.
The listing is more about charm than specifications. It doesn’t name the material on the lines we read, or say whether it’s dishwasher safe, so check the box. It is close to the Fred dragon in idea and in claimed result. If you like one maker’s look, that is a fair enough way to decide. We read no independent review of this one either. Let it stand before you take it out, since it will be hot.
Why we like it
- Interior markings for the mix
- Reusable
- Playful gift
Key specifications
| Model | OT1134 |
|---|---|
| Type | Reusable steam cleaner |
| Fill or formula | 2 oz vinegar, 1.4 oz water, lemon drops |
| Run or wait time, per the listing | 5 to 8 minutes |
| Material or count | Not stated on the listing |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated on the listing |
| Microwave wording on the listing | Made for microwaves |
| After use | Wipe clean |
Why we recommend it
This suits a buyer who likes OTOTO’s style, or wants a more stylized gift.
Skip it if you want clear material and care details on the listing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear mix markings
- Fun to own
- Sold by the maker when we checked
Cons
- Longest stated run
- Material not stated on the listing
- Near match for the Fred
5. TOPIST Angry Mama Microwave Steam Cleaner – The Classic Steaming Mama
Angry Mama is a familiar shape for this gadget, a small figure with steam coming out of her head. Bustle’s guide to microwave cleaners named Angry Mama its overall best, with a reviewer’s comment that it made a microwave look brand new, but Bustle’s writer doesn’t claim to have used it and doesn’t name a maker. Several small brands sell this design, and TOPIST is one of them, so don’t assume Bustle’s comments apply to this exact listing.
The directions: take off the hair and head, add vinegar and water to the fill lines, with a squeeze of lemon if you like, and microwave for 7 minutes. The steam softens dirt so it wipes away. The listing says it is made of heat-resistant materials and dishwasher safe. The listing’s title also says it disinfects, and we would not rely on that for any food-safety purpose. TOPIST is an Amazon-first brand.
Why we like it
- Mentioned by Bustle as a design
- Fill lines on the body
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | SYNCHKG128743 |
|---|---|
| Type | Reusable steam cleaner |
| Fill or formula | Vinegar and water to fill lines; lemon optional |
| Run or wait time, per the listing | 7 minutes |
| Material or count | Heat-resistant materials; specific plastic not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Microwave wording on the listing | Made for microwaves |
| After use | Wipe clean |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you know the design and want it, and accept a lesser-known seller behind it.
Skip it if you want the maker’s details spelled out. The Fred and Tovolo listings give more.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy steps
- Named in a published guide
- Sold by the brand when we checked
Cons
- Amazon-first brand
- Disinfecting claim on the title isn’t one to rely on
- Material not named
6. Weiman Glass Cooktop and Microwave Wipes, 2 Pack – Quick Wipes Inside the Microwave
Steam does the heavy softening, but a fresh splatter is quicker to wipe off the same day. This is Weiman’s two-canister pack of its cooktop and microwave wipes, sold by Weiman, and this listing is the one that says it plainly: the wipes are a quicker way to clean splattered food, grease, oily residue or watermarks from inside your microwave or on your glass cooktop.
Each wipe has two sides. Weiman says the scrubby side lifts splattered food, grease and spills, and the smooth side polishes for a streak-free finish, with a formula it calls scratch-free. That makes it a daily habit, not a deep clean. It won’t soften old, baked-on food the way steam will, so pair it with a steamer when the ceiling is bad, and wipe with a damp cloth afterward if the canister says to.
Why we like it
- Inside-the-microwave use named by Weiman
- Scrubby side and smooth side
- Two canisters
- Sold by Weiman when we checked
Key specifications
| Model | 90PK2 |
|---|---|
| Type | Wipes |
| Fill or formula | Pre-moistened dual-action wipes |
| Run or wait time, per the listing | Not stated |
| Material or count | 2 canisters of 30 wipes |
| Dishwasher safe | Not applicable |
| Microwave wording on the listing | Inside your microwave |
| After use | Read the canister |
Why we recommend it
Buy these for quick clean-ups inside the microwave and on the door, especially if you also have a glass cooktop.
Skip it if you are trying to clean a badly soiled microwave. Start with steam.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast
- Names the microwave interior
- Named cleaning brand
Cons
- Not for baked-on grime
- Single-use waste
- Shares a canister with cooktop use
7. Monkey Business Inna Huff Microwave Steam Cleaner – A Steamer With an Insulated Grip
Monkey Business is a design-gift studio, and Inna Huff is its take on the steaming figure. You fill it with equal parts water and vinegar, and as the microwave runs, steam comes out of the top to soften baked-on food so you can wipe it away. The listing says it’s made of BPA-free, food-safe materials meant to stand up to microwave heat.
The useful detail is the band around the middle. Monkey Business calls it an insulated, ribbed band for a secure grip, and still says to lift it out with an oven mitt or towel, which is the right advice for anything that has just made steam. It measures about 8 by 8 centimeters and 14 centimeters tall, so it fits a standard microwave. The listing doesn’t give a run time or say whether it’s dishwasher safe, so start short and check the box. We read no independent review of it.
Why we like it
- Equal-parts mix, easy to remember
- Insulated grip band, per the maker
- Sold by Monkey Business when we checked
Key specifications
| Model | MB6963 |
|---|---|
| Type | Reusable steam cleaner |
| Fill or formula | Equal parts water and vinegar |
| Run or wait time, per the listing | Not stated |
| Material or count | BPA-free, food-safe materials, per the listing |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated on the listing |
| Microwave wording on the listing | For cleaning your microwave |
| After use | Wipe away softened food |
Why we recommend it
This suits a buyer who wants a gift-worthy steamer that is a little easier to handle when it comes out hot.
Skip it if you want a stated run time. Tovolo and Fred give one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Grip band
- Simple mix
- Fun gift
Cons
- No run time stated
- Care not stated
- Design brand, not a cleaning specialist
How to choose a microwave cleaner
Steam first
A reusable steam cleaner uses the same few ingredients each time. Steam softens food splatter so it wipes away more easily, and that is really all it does. Fred’s listing is honest about it: the gadget loosens grime and doesn’t replace the wipe-down.
Check your microwave’s manual
Your microwave’s maker has the final say about what can go inside, especially for chemical cleaners. If you own a combination or convection unit, this is more important. If it is time for a new one, our countertop microwave guide covers the common choices.
Mind the heat
Steam gadgets come out hot. Fred tells you to let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes and remove it by the tail. Follow the same caution with any of them, and use oven mitts if the unit is too hot to hold.
Wipes are for fresh splatter
Weiman’s listing names the inside of the microwave, but a wipe only lifts fresh mess. It won’t soften old, baked-on food, so it is not a substitute for a steam clean. For glass cooktops, our cooktop cleaner guide has stronger options.
How we picked these seven cleaners
We have not used these products ourselves. We looked for products that name microwaves, from makers we could identify, and we limited Amazon-first brands to one, TOPIST. We dropped wipes whose listings name only microwave doors or talk mostly about cooktops. The evidence here is thin, and we want to be plain about that. Bustle’s microwave cleaner guide names the Angry Mama design, but its writer doesn’t report any trial of it. We could not open the appliance makers’ microwave care pages, so we do not quote them. Everything else rests on the Amazon listings, which we credit in each section. We left out microwave splatter covers, which prevent mess and do not clean it.
Steam microwave cleaner questions, answered
Does a steam microwave cleaner really work?
The listings describe it softening grime so it wipes off, and Bustle quotes a reviewer happy with the result. We found no controlled comparison and did not run one ourselves.
Do I need a gadget to steam-clean a microwave?
No. These gadgets hold water and vinegar. A microwave-safe container can hold the same mix, though you should take care with the heat and follow your microwave’s manual. The gadget’s benefit is mostly convenience and marked amounts.
What’s the difference between the dragon and the Angry Mama?
Mostly shape, material and run time. Fred’s dragon is silicone and states 5 to 7 minutes. TOPIST’s Mama is stated at 7 minutes and doesn’t name a specific material.
Can I use oven cleaner in a microwave?
Not unless the label and your manual allow it. Zep’s spray names microwaves. Many oven cleaners don’t. Our oven cleaner guide covers what those cans name.
Our final pick for a clean microwave
Buy the Tovolo steam cleaner for regular cleaning, and add Zep’s spray only if steam is not enough. Keep a canister of Weiman’s wipes nearby for fresh splatter. A few minutes every week beats scraping off a year of splatter.