A blender is one of the quickest appliances to use and, if you leave it, one of the most annoying to clean. Dried smoothie and sauce stick to the blades and seals, and the jug can start to smell. The trick is to clean it straight away.
The 30-second clean after every use
- Rinse out the jug as soon as you have poured.
- Fill it about halfway with warm water and add a drop of washing-up liquid.
- Put the lid on and run the blender for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Pour away the water, rinse with clean water and leave the jug upside down to dry.
This removes almost everything without you having to put your hand near the blades.
A deeper clean every week or two
- Remove the blade assembly if your model allows it, following the manufacturer's instructions. Take out the rubber sealing ring too, as food collects underneath it.
- Wash the parts by hand in warm soapy water. Use a bottle brush or washing-up brush on the blades, never your fingers.
- Check the dishwasher guidance. Many jugs and blades are dishwasher safe on the top rack, but some are not, and dishwasher heat can cloud plastic jugs over time.
- Dry everything completely before reassembling, so moisture is not trapped under the seal.
Removing stains and smells
Garlic, onion and turmeric can leave lingering smells and stains. Blend warm water with a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda, or a mix of water and white vinegar, then leave it to stand for 15 minutes before rinsing. For cloudy glass jugs, a vinegar soak helps remove mineral deposits.
Cleaning the motor base
Unplug the blender first. Wipe the base with a damp cloth and use a cotton bud around the controls. Never put the base in water or under the tap.
Keeping your blender working
Do not overfill the jug, add liquid before solids, and let the motor rest between long blends of thick mixtures. If the motor smells hot or the blades stop turning, stop using it and have it checked.
Visit S&D Ireland in Ormskirk for advice on small kitchen appliances, or read our tips on choosing your first kitchen appliances.