Many of us take the humble toaster for granted. After all, when you’re rushing to get to work in the morning and need a satisfying breakfast when time is short, shoving a couple of bits of bread in the toaster is almost second nature.

However, a toaster often isn’t cleaned as much as it should be. It’s an electrical item so it needs to be handled with care – but that doesn’t mean that cleaning a toaster needs to be difficult. Discover how to take your toaster from black and burnt to clean and fresh in seven easy steps.

You will need:

Soft toothbrush
Kitchen roll
Sponge or microfibre cloth
Water
Washing-up liquid
Nail varnish remover

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How to clean a toaster
1. 1
  Unplug the toaster
  
  First things first, always unplug the toaster before you start.
  
  Make sure your hands are dry before touching electrical equipment.
2. 2
  Clean the inside with a toothbrush
  
  This needs tackling first, as it's likely to be the messiest part. Simply use a dry, soft toothbrush to brush away any crumbs, then work from top to bottom by gently inserting the toothbrush into the bread slots.
3. 3
  Clean the crumb tray
  
  If the tray only had dry, crispy bits on it, go ahead and put it back in the toaster – but if it still has remnants of toastings past, use a sponge or cloth and a little washing-up liquid to scrub away the sticky bits.
  
  Be sure to dry the crumb tray completely before putting it back in the toaster.
4. 4
  Remove the crumb tray
  
  Now that the sides are clean, remove the crumb tray and dump the contents into the bin.
5. 5
  Shake the toaster upside down over sink
  
  With the toaster still unplugged and the crumb tray intact, turn the toaster upside down over the sink and give it a little shake to remove any hidden crumbs. Use a sheet of kitchen roll to wipe up the crumbs and put them in the bin before rinsing your sink.
  
  Make sure to keep the toaster and its power lead away from the water.
6. 6
  Remove any melted plastic
  
  Is your toaster clean but plagued by some unsightly plastic melted on the top, probably thanks to a rogue bit of bread bag? Just use a little nail polish remover on a cotton swab or cloth and rub it away.
  
  Always remember to test any cleaning method on a small area first.
7. 7
  Wash the outside of the toaster
  
  Wipe the outside of the toaster down with your sponge or microfibre cloth. Wipe dry, or allow it to air dry.