Don’t stop making your favorite breakfast just because the blender is a bear to clean
A smoothie sounds good on a hot summer morning, but anyone who has had to clean a blender has probably vowed never to use the appliance again. It doesn’t have to be that way. You can blend your strawberry, kale, and yogurt smoothie and not have a reminder of it in your blender’s nooks and crannies for the rest of time. Below, we shared a few tips for blender cleaning success.
Note: Before you start cleaning, make sure to unplug the blender. The motorized base gets a hand wipe down only. It doesn't go in the sink or dishwasher.
One of the easiest ways to clean your blender is the same way that you dirtied it. Fill it about halfway with water, add a few drops of dish soap, and let it blend. The blending action will hit all the same hard-to-clean spots that the remnants of your strawberry daiquiri dried in.
After 30 seconds or so of blending, turn it off, dump the water, and give it a rinse. Set the blender out to air dry. You’re done.
If you’ve got gunk caked on the blender (maybe you made pancake batter in it), you might need to take the appliance apart and give it a good cleaning. Detach anything that easily detaches—yes, even the rubber gasket comes out. Let everything except the motorized base soak in a warm bubble bath in the sink to loosen up the crustiness.
While that’s soaking, use a dishcloth dampened with warm water to wipe the base. Don’t forget to wipe any gunk off the cord, staying away from the prongs themselves.
One more time for the people in the back: the motorized base doesn’t go in the dishwasher. However, the rest of your blender probably can. Take it apart and let the dishwasher clean the smoothie goo from the sides of your blender carafe.
Just beware that the powerful dishwasher can also scratch or etch the glass. If you can’t stand the idea of a less-than-clear carafe, hand wash it instead.
It can be dangerous to clean around sharp blades that blend dates and frozen fruit like they’re nothing. So instead of sticking your fingers between the blades, try denture cleaning tablets. Just fill the blender past the blades with water and drop a tablet or two in. Leave the tablets to do their thing for a couple of hours. Then, dump the water and give the carafe a rinse.
Sticky fingers push those buttons, so they need the occasional cleaning as well. If the damp cloth isn’t enough, try rubbing alcohol. Pour a little bit on a cloth or a cotton swab to lift the grime off the buttons from any gaps.
After your blender is clean and clear, let it dry. It can air dry, or you can use a microfiber cloth to remove any moisture. Lightly coat the rubber gasket in vegetable oil before assembling the blender. This step will help keep the rubber pliable.
Assemble the appliance before tucking it in the cupboard. This step will help keep dirt and dust out so you can make your next frozen treat with ease. Keep your kitchen cabinets clean and organized to avoid having to give your appliances a dusting next time.
