If you like smoothies, juices or purees, your blender probably sees a more use. But how often you clean it? If your answer is “not enough”, then you are not alone. Cleaning the blender is a more involved than scrubbing a cooking pan or throwing something in a dishwasher. Good, thorough cleaning is essential to maintain the equipment, and it prevents the growth of bacteria from food residues stuck in the corners and cranes at the bottom of the blender jar.
Supplies Needed
Gather a some necessary cleaning items before you begin:
- Sponge or dish rag
- Mild dish soap
- Baking soda (optional)
Related:Clean your margarita machine with ease.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Clean Blender
To make your blender really clean, you need to remove the jar assembly and clean the blade, gasket, and base. Liquids can get into the pits and dry out, cement a base of the jar and possibly promote bacterial growth.
Take the Blender Apart
Unplug the blender unit, detach the container assembly from the motor base, remove the lid of the container, remove the base of the container, remove the gasket seal & blade.
Wash the Container
Clean the container with lukewarm soapy water and the dish sponge. Wash it thoroughly, then dry it properly. The blender container can also be washed in the dishwasher (must be put on the top rack), although hand washing is quick and eliminates the risk of scratching plastic or glass.
Wash the Other Small Pieces
Hand wash a gasket seal, container base and cutting blade. Use lukewarm soapy water and be careful with the sharp edges of the blade. Wash the parts thoroughly, then dry them carefully.
Run the Blender for Stuck-on Items
In case your blender has not been cleaned for a while, you may have some dried, stuck food to cope with. To make it effortless for yourself, mix a 1-to-1 ratio of baking soda and water and run it through a blender. Take out the solution. Separate the blender and follow the steps above to wash the ingredients.
Clean the Motor Housing
Always unplug the blender before cleaning a motor base. Never Inundate the base in water. It is also not safe to put in a dishwasher. Wipe down the base of motor with the damp cloth. Periodically wipe the cord and check for damage.
Reassemble the Blender and Store It
If you use your blender well enough, store it on your countertop or other readily available place. If your blender is made for special occasions, keep it in a less usable place.
Tips for Keeping Blenders Clean & Fresh
- Many blender lids are made in two pieces. Check your owner’s manual to see if this is the case with you. Remove both pieces and clean separately. It will get some food stucked in a crevices of a lid.
- Plastic and glass containers washed in the dishwasher can be dug and scratched with a blender. Hand washing is a safe and quick way to make your blender clean and shiny.
- Stinky foods appear to linger in the blender. If you have a foul-smelling blender, leave the baking soda in a blender and combine the 1 to 1 ratio of water. Then let the mixture sit in a blender for 5-10 minutes before washing usually.
