A University of Toronto study and several other research found that drinking mixed fruit and vegetable concentrates can boost folate and antioxidant levels.[1] So, if you want to strengthen your immunity and look younger, you better bring out your blender and start juicing.
While drinking fruit and vegetable shakes can be a fun experience, the mess it leaves does not spark joy. Of course, you wouldn’t want your blender to become a breeding ground for illness-causing pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella.[2] So, today, we’ll share easy steps on cleaning and storing a blender.
Quick Tip: Check out our guide on cleaning and sanitizing kitchen tools and equipment to get in-depth instructions on eliminating bacteria.
What to Prepare When Cleaning Your Blender
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Warm water
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Microfiber cloth
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Scouring pad
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Toothbrush (optional)
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White vinegar
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Baking powder
How to Deep Clean a Blender
1. Disassemble the blender
When cleaning your blender, the first step is to take the assembly apart. Of course, remember to unplug it before disassembling the removable parts. These components include the jar and the lid. If the blade is detachable from the jar, remove that as well.
2. Wipe down the blender base
Learning how to clean a blender base is simple. All you need to do is dip a microfiber cloth in warm water. Wring the cloth to remove the excess water, then wipe down the blender base. If you see stuck-on food residue or debris, pour about a tablespoon of white vinegar on the area. Let the vinegar sit on the affected spot for about five minutes. Then, use the damp microfiber cloth to wipe off the debris.
3. Clean the blender pitcher
If the blender jar doesn’t have stuck-on food residue, you can wash it like a regular jar. Use Surf dishwashing liquid with a scouring pad to clean the blender pitcher. Rinse it in cold water and set it aside. If you see stubborn water stains, follow our tips for cleaning cloudy glassware.
4. Wash the smaller parts
The next step is to wash the smaller, removable parts. These components include the lid, blade, gasket seal, and locking ring. You can use a regular scouring pad to clean these smaller parts. However, if you want a safer and easier way to clean the blade, use a toothbrush. About two drops of Surf dishwashing liquid would be enough to clean these smaller components.
5. Loosen stuck-on debris
You can skip this step if you’ve successfully removed food residue. However, for stuck-on debris, you must learn how to clean a blender with baking soda.
For this step, you’ll need to re-assemble the blender parts. Then, pour equal parts baking soda and warm water into the jar. Ideally, you should fill about one-third of the pitcher with the baking soda solution. You can also use this method for cleaning Tupperware that has yellowed.
Pro Tip: Read our article on using natural cleaning products around the home.
Put the lid back and place the jar on the blender base. Plug the blender and run it for about 20 seconds. The baking soda solution will effectively loosen the stuck-on debris. However, if you smell anything unpleasant from the jar, you need to take an extra step. We recommend squeezing half a lemon into the solution. Then, run the blender again for 20 seconds. Finally, wash the jar in warm, soapy water before rinsing it under cold, running water.
6. Dry and store the blender
Take a clean microfiber cloth and wipe down the blender parts. Once everything’s thoroughly dry, store it in an easily accessible location. However, if you rarely use the blender, place it in a box or cover it in plastic before putting it away.
Maintenance Tips for Blenders
Aside from our cleaning tips, here are other maintenance procedures we recommend to prolong your blender’s life:
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Do not store food items in your blender. Even if you put the jar in the refrigerator, the smell will linger. So, to prevent your blender from becoming smelly, wash it after every use.
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Learn how to clean a blender with vinegar to make it easier to remove stubborn odors and stains. You can follow the steps we shared in this article.
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Read the manual to learn how to take the jar apart. This way, you can thoroughly clean the smaller components.
Cleaning Your Blender Is Easy
With the tips we shared above, you can easily clean your blender. Remember to wash your blender after every use to avoid stuck-on food residue. Moreover, dry the blender parts thoroughly before storing them. Doing so will prevent the blade from developing rust, which could affect the blender’s performance.
FAQs About Cleaning Your Blender
What is the easiest way to clean a blender?
The easiest way to clean a blender is to fill about a third of the jar with warm water and add two drops of dishwashing liquid. Run the blender for about 20 seconds, and then rinse it using cold water.
How do you clean buildup in a blender?
One effective way to loosen buildup in a blender is soaking the jar in warm water and vinegar. If, after soaking the jar, you still see stuck-on debris, create a baking soda paste. Mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar, then apply it to the buildup. Let the paste sit on the spot for about an hour, then wash the jar as you normally would.
What is the proper sanitation of a blender?
Using regular dish soap would suffice when sanitizing a blender. However, if you want to opt for natural cleaning products, you can use vinegar and lemon.
Can you use vinegar to clean a blender?
Yes, you can use vinegar to remove food residue from your blender.
How do you clean a greasy blender?
Fill about a third of the blender jar with warm water, half a cup of white vinegar, and two tablespoons of baking powder. Run the blender for about 20 seconds. Then, wash it with regular dish soap. Rinse the blender jar using cold water. If the blender pitcher is still greasy, repeat the steps.
References:
1. Esfahani, A., Wong, J. M. W., Truan, J., Villa, C., Mirrahimi, A., Srichaikul, K., & Kendall, C. W. (2011). Health effects of mixed fruit and vegetable concentrates: A systematic review of the clinical interventions. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 30(5), 285–294. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2011.10719971
2. Nsf. (2022, August 22). Clean the germiest kitchen items. NSF. https://www.nsf.org/
