How to Clean a Blender
Dirty blender? You're in the right place. Once you know how to clean a blender properly, you'll never waste time scrubbing again. This simple hack will change everything!
So you just made a smoothie. Or perhaps a batch of muffins. Or maybe some salad dressing. Or whatever!
And now your blender is a big ol' mess. It's important to clean the blender properly so that it stays sanitary, odorless and ready for your next recipe. Plus, proper cleaning can help it to last a long time and add years of use to its life.
So what's next? Is the dishwasher an option? Should you hand wash? Is there a faster way?
Let's get into the nitty gritty on the best way to clean a blender.
How often to clean a blender
Whether you use a fancier, high-powered blender (affiliate) (like a Ninja or a Vitamix machine) or a regular blender, they must be cleaned regularly.
Blenders should be cleaned after every single use. That's the best way to keep the odor of a garlicky salsa from flavoring your favorite blueberry smoothie.
Every 4 or 5 uses, you should deep clean your blender. This will help to remove any lingering odors, hard water stains and other stubborn stains that lead to a cloudy container.
It can be deep cleaned with an acid like lemon juice, white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, plus baking soda and warm water, all blended together in the jug, then scrubbed down. (Scroll down for the recipe.)
What to do before cleaning your blender
There are a few things that are always a good idea to do before washing your blender.
First, wipe down the blender base.
Always scrape the blended mixture out of the pitcher before attempting cleaning. Use a long spoon or rubber spatula — or better yet, a blender spatula — to scrape as much liquid as possible.
Then, separate all the pieces of the blender: the lid, the fill caps and the jar. If the gasket and stainless steel blades separate, you should remove those too.
Rinse each part as much as you can before moving on to the next step: the dishwasher or handwashing. (P.S. One is easier than the other and you won't believe which one it is.)
How to clean a blender in the dishwasher
If your blender pitcher has any parts that meet electricity, such as the blender base, those should never go into the dishwasher or be soaked in water. You should wipe it down with a damp cloth.
Place the disassembled blender into the dishwasher. The lids, tumblers and blades should go on the top rack. Place the jug on the bottom rack.
Then do your regular cleaning routine with your normal dishwasher detergents, and your blender should be clean as a whistle.
Keep in mind that the twirling action of the cleaning cycle is more likely to send small bits of food particles around that can scratch the plastic and dull the clear finish. Over time, this could even take off the essential measurement numbers.
Once clean, let it dry completely.
The best way to clean a blender
Cleaning a blender jar by hand is the best and easiest way to get everything clean! Here's the best way to do it:
- Give the blender a quick rinse in the sink and wash off the lid with the faucet.
- Add a big drop of dish soap to the bottom of the jug.
- Fill the jug halfway with warm or hot water and top with the lid.
- Blend on medium to high speed to create hot soapy water.
- Rinse everything out again.
Most of the time this will get the majority of the stuck-on food on the blender! (Even, say, protein powders, peanut butter and frozen banana.)
If not, a simple wipe of a no-scratch sponge or magic eraser sponge will be enough to get the rest, rather than having to really scrub off stuck-on smoothie bits and risk cutting your hand on the blades.
If you do encounter some gunk that won't come off, you can use a scrub brush to loosen it, then rinse it again. Use circular motions.
How to dry a blender
Whether you wash your blender in the dishwasher or go the hand-wash route, you'll want to make sure your blender is completely dry before you put it away.
If you skip this important step and put it away wet with the lid on, you could wind up growing mildew and mold inside of the container, which you might not discover until the next time you use it. Gross!
The best way to dry a blender is to place the jug and all the blender pieces upside down on a drying rack or drying mat for a few hours or until totally dry.
You can simply wipe down the motor base with a damp cloth or paper towel.
Now, your blender is all set and ready for your next green smoothie!
Tips and Tricks
Make sure to read through your blender's manual to see if there is a recommended cleaning technique or a pre-programmed clean setting you can use. The brand's suggested cleaning process will be unique to each machine. They may also recommend the best cleaning products for your blender model.
Rinse out your blender as soon as you use it. If you let it dry out with caked-on gunk, it can be harder to clean. The same is true if you let the container soak with murky water.
These mistakes are how the plastic material can absorb stains, say from hot soups, tomato sauces or spices. Turmeric stains are particularly hard to get out and can leave behind a cloudy film.
Make sure to let it dry completely before putting it away with the lid on so it doesn't collect mildew or mold.
Deep clean the blender container every 4 or 5 uses so that it stays clean and odorless.
FAQ
All parts of the blender except the electrical ones can go in the dishwasher. The lid, fill caps, blade and gasket can all go in the top rack of the dishwasher. The bottom rack is the best spot for the blender jug
Blenders should be cleaned with dishwashing soap and hot water immediately after every use. After every 4 or 5 uses, it should be deep cleaned with lemon or vinegar, plus baking soda and water.
Blender Cleaner
Equipment
Ingredients
for a quick clean
- 4 cups warm water
- 1 teaspoon dish soap
for a deep clean
- 1 ounce lemon juice or vinegar
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- For a quick clean: Rinse the blender of any thick liquids. Combine warm water and dish soap in the jug of the blender. Add the lid, then blend on medium high for 30 seconds. Rinse out the soup. Remove any remaining residue with a sponge. Rinse well and dry.
- For a deep clean: Add lemon juice, baking soda and water to the blender jug. Blend on high speed for 30 seconds. Remove the jug from the base and scrub the interior with a sponge. Rinse well and dry.
