Blenders are easy to neglect because they look clean from the outside. Dried smoothie residue and film around the blade gasket builds up quickly and harbours bacteria. The good news: a blender takes under 2 minutes to clean if done immediately after use.
The Self-Cleaning Method (Best for Daily Use)
- Immediately after use, fill the blender jar halfway with warm water
- Add a drop of dish soap
- Secure the lid and blend on high for 30–60 seconds
- Pour out and rinse thoroughly with clean water
- Turn upside down on a drying rack to air dry
Done immediately, this removes virtually all residue. The blade agitates soapy water against every surface including the underside of the lid and the blade housing.
Disassembly Clean (Weekly or When Odours Develop)
- Unscrew the blade assembly from the bottom of the jar (most blenders have a removable bottom)
- Remove the rubber gasket/ring from the blade assembly
- Wash the blade unit carefully — the blades are sharp; use a brush rather than your fingers
- Wash the gasket thoroughly — residue and mould collect in the rubber folds
- Wash the jar with a bottle brush, paying attention to the bottom corners where the blade meets the jar
- Rinse all components and allow to dry completely before reassembling
Removing Stubborn Stains or Odours
- Turmeric staining: blend a paste of baking soda and water, let sit 10 minutes, scrub, rinse
- Odours: blend a mixture of water and 2 tablespoons white vinegar, rinse, then blend plain water twice to clear the smell
- Cloudy jar: soak the jar (not the base) in a diluted vinegar solution for 30 minutes, then wash normally
Tips
- Never submerge the motor base in water — wipe it with a damp cloth only
- Some blender jars are dishwasher-safe (check the manufacturer) — the blade assembly usually is not
- Drying the jar upright traps moisture at the bottom — always dry inverted