From those health smoothies that keep you going in the morning, to grinding veggies to cook a hot meal for dinner; you can always depend on your blender when you need it! That is, of course, until it starts to underperform due to the lack of cleaning and maintenance you’ve given it! Yes, like any motorized appliance, proper and regular cleaning is imperative if you want to extend the life of the unit. In this case, cleaning does not relate to the blender jar alone, but rather the entire unit. What’s more, you get the added perk of a blender that looks as good as new, sitting pretty in your clean kitchen!
For a thorough step-by-step guide on how to clean your blender in the most effective and safe manner, read on!
Step 1: Take the Blender Apart
By this we mean unlocking the jar from the base; removing the lid, rubber ring and gasket; carefully unscrewing the blade; and taking out any other removable components. Now that you’ve taken your blender apart, it’s time to clean each component thoroughly.
Step 2: The Jar
If you leave the blender jar dirty for too long, any residue will dry up and make it twice as hard to clean. Therefore, we suggest squirting a bit of dish soap in the jar and filling it up with water to soften the hardened bits while you clean other components of the blender. Warm water works best for this but if you’re going to soak the jar for a short period of time.
Step 3: The Blade
Prolonged exposure to water will blunt the blade of your blender; hence, soaking it is out of the question. Instead, we’ve found that a clean toothbrush and a few drops of liquid dish soap is enough to clean a blender blade safely and efficiently. Simply wet the blade with water and scrub it clean with the dish soap and toothbrush before rinsing it out. The bristles of the toothbrush will aid in cleaning hard-to-reach spaces and remove any hardened bits. Dab the blade with a kitchen towel and leave it to air dry.
Step 4: The Rubber Components
A simple scrubbing with a sponge and dish soap is enough to clean the gasket, while the rubber ring may require a narrow brush to clean the inner side of the ring in a more thorough manner. If needed, you can leave them to soak in warm, soapy water for about ten minutes to loosen up grime and stubborn stains. Rinse the rubbers out after you’ve scrubbed them and leave them to dry.
Step 5: The Lid
Like the jar and other components, the lid may have dried up residue which will require a good amount of scrubbing to remove. A medium-bristled toothbrush is a suitable cleaning tool for this; however, you can also use a non-abrasive scrubber and regular dish soap to get the job done.
Step 6: The Base Unit
The part of the base unit where the jar sits can get rather dirty and stained; however, it cannot be washed as any water that seeps into the motorised area can cause damage. Instead, try this safe and effective method; make a solution of white vinegar and water (equal parts); dip and wring a clean cloth in the mixture (make sure the cloth is merely damp); and wipe the interiors of this space thoroughly. You may need to rinse the cloth out at intervals and re-dip it in the solution for an efficient clean. Allow it to dry completely and move on to the next step.
Step 7: The Exterior
To remove stubborn stains and clean the exteriors of your base unit thoroughly, make a runny paste of water and baking soda. Next, dip a clean cloth in the paste and gently wipe the exteriors using circular motions. Pay attention to stubborn stains by using more pressure to remove them. Once you’re satisfied with the results, simply wipe over the unit with a damp cloth to remove the baking soda residue.
Step 8: Reassemble the Blender
Wait until all the components are completely dry before you reassemble your blender and put it back in place. Be sure to replace the parts carefully before you turn it on to prevent the bits from loosening or coming out.