Blenders are a vital component of any functional kitchen. We can use blenders to make smoothies, stir ingredients, and some can even crush ice. In addition, blenders help make some delicious desserts and meals. That said, after we’ve enjoyed our blended treat, we’re stuck with cleaning our blender. Even the best blenders need good cleaning and maintenance to keep them running smoothly. With so many moving and removable parts, cleaning a blender can seem confusing if you’ve never done it before. Don’t worry about the mess because this guide will walk you through how to clean a blender.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Detailed cleaning of a blender takes about 10 minutes.
- You only need soap, water, a sponge, and a sink to clean a blender.
- For a quick clean, you can blend hot water and drops of dish soap. Then, use a sink to rinse out all of the soapy water.
What are My Options for Cleaning a Blender?
In this guide, we’ll be discussing cleaning your blender. Cleaning your blender requires hot water and soap and either a clean cloth or sponge for scrubbing. This process is also used to clean an immersion blender. Depending on the recipe you’ve made with your blender, you may need a deeper clean. Our method is for a deep clean which is ideal for a gunked-up blender. That said, our guide for how to clean a blender works just as well for a simple clean.
How to Deep Clean Your Blender
If you’ve used your blender to make dips like hummus or batter for pancakes, you know the cleanup looks tough. Fear not because this option for cleaning a blender works for the most challenging jobs. It requires warm water, some drops of dish soap, and a little scrubbing with a sponge or dish brush. We’ll also disassemble the blender to make every piece sparkling clean. Then, for the most effortless clean, try to rinse your blender as soon as you can.
Take the Blender Apart
Pour out any food or liquid and prepare to take apart the blender. Unscrew the jar from the blender base. With the blender jar over the sink, remove the blades from the bottom of the blender jar. It’s important to know how to fix your blender properly in case you encounter minor issues before or after cleaning.
Wash the Jar
For recipes like smoothies or liquid mixtures, rinsing in the sink should be enough to clear away any food residue. If you’ve made anything thicker like blended potatoes or pancake batter, be prepared to scrub a little. If you have a sink sprayer, set your faucet to hot and blast the debris away. Then, use soap and a clean sponge or cloth to wash the jar’s final sanitizing and dry it before storing it.
Wash the Blender Blades
Rinse the blades under the sink faucet or blast it with the sink sprayer. Use soap and a sponge to clear any stuck-on food. Be careful of the edges because they can be sharp. Set the blades on a towel or drying rack to make sure they get completely dry.
Clean the Motor Housing and Blender Base
Now that the blender jar and blades are clean, you can turn your attention to the motor housing and base of the blender. Do not submerge this part in water because you might ruin the electrical components of the blender. Instead, use a damp cloth to wipe away any food particles or sticky residue.
F.A.Q.
How often should you clean a blender?
You should clean your blender after every use. That said, there are times when a deep clean isn’t necessary.
How do you clean a smelly blender?
The simplest method involves blending soap, water, and lemon in your blender and rinsing it well.
How to clean a cloudy blender?
Let one cup of white vinegar and warm water sit overnight in the blender. Pour it out and use a pot scrubber to clean away any remaining residue.
STAT: Under that scenario, manual dishwashing produced lower greenhouse gas emissions than any other alternative examined in the study, 18% lower than machine washing using recommended best practices. (source)
REFERENCES:
- https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/docs/home-family/Homemade%20Cleaners.pdf
- https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=1220
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1EvYkYFpn4r
- https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/guidance-industry-guide-minimize-microbial-food-safety-hazards-fresh-cut-fruits-and-vegetables
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blender
