Cleaning a Blender Properly

Blenders are among the easiest kitchen appliances to clean and among the most commonly cleaned badly. The problem areas are consistent and are not the parts people scrub.

The Quick Method

Immediately after use, fill the cup a third full with warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid, run for twenty or thirty seconds, then rinse thoroughly.

This handles the great majority of everyday blending and takes under a minute. It works because the blender is doing the scrubbing, and because the residue has not yet dried.

Dishwashers

Cups and lids are frequently dishwasher safe on the top rack. Blade assemblies vary considerably, and some manufacturers advise against it because detergent and sustained heat degrade the seal and can dull the blades.

The motor base never goes in water at all. It wipes with a damp cloth, unplugged.

Checking the specific guidance for the model matters here, since ranges differ. Manufacturer care instructions published alongside the products, such as those at magic-bullet.net, state which components are dishwasher safe.

Where Residue Actually Hides

• The gasket, the rubber seal between blade assembly and cup
• The threads on both the cup and the blade housing
• Underneath the blades, where they meet the base of the assembly
• The inside of the drinking lid, particularly around any spout
• The seam where the handle joins the cup, on handled versions

The gasket is the one that causes smells. It should be removed periodically and washed separately, since residue sits underneath it where no amount of rinsing reaches.

The Blade Assembly Is Sharp

Worth stating directly: blender blades cause a substantial number of kitchen injuries, and most happen during washing rather than during use.

Never reach into a cup or a sink with your hand to wash blades. Use a brush with a handle, hold the assembly by its housing rather than near the blades, and never leave a blade assembly submerged in a sink of water where it cannot be seen.

This last one is the specific scenario that causes injuries: someone reaches into cloudy water to find something and finds the blades instead.

Persistent Smells

Almost always the gasket or the threads. Remove the seal, wash everything separately, and leave the components to dry fully apart rather than reassembling damp.

For staining from turmeric, berries or beetroot, a paste of bicarbonate of soda left for a few minutes lifts most of it. Sunlight also fades turmeric staining on plastic surprisingly well.

Storage

Store the cup and blade assembly separately rather than screwed together. A sealed damp cup develops a smell within days, and the gasket lasts longer when it is not compressed continuously.