Domakihub How to Clean a Blender Thoroughly in Minutes
The self-cleaning trick plus a deep-clean method for spotless blades and seals.
Reviewed by Domakihub cleaning pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
A blender is one of the hardest kitchen tools to clean properly — the blades are sharp, the gasket traps residue, and letting it sit makes everything worse. The video above from Clean My Space demonstrates the self-clean method and a thorough hand-wash; this guide walks you through both approaches with clear steps suited to home kitchens, holiday rental properties, and hotel pantries in Greece. Whether you are dealing with a morning smoothie or a batch of tzatziki, a clean blender is ready for the next use in under five minutes.
Why Blenders Are a Hygiene Risk If Not Cleaned Correctly
Blender jars look clean from the outside, but the blade assembly creates several hiding spots for food residue: the gasket ring beneath the blades, the threads where the jar screws onto the base, and the underside of the blade unit itself. In warm Greek climates — especially in holiday rentals and boats without air conditioning — residue left for even a few hours can develop odours and harbour bacteria.
Disassembling the blade unit and cleaning every component individually is the only way to be certain the blender is truly sanitary. The popular "self-clean" trick (blending soapy water) is useful for a quick rinse between uses, but it is not a substitute for a proper periodic deep clean.
What You Need Before You Start
You need dish soap, hot (not boiling) water, a bottle brush or small cleaning brush, white vinegar or baking soda for stains, and a clean dry towel. Most blender jars — glass or BPA-free plastic — are top-rack dishwasher safe, but the blade unit and rubber gasket should always be hand-washed to extend their life. Check your manufacturer's instructions once; after that, the routine is the same every time.
How to Clean a Blender: 5 Steps
- 1
Rinse immediately after use
As soon as you pour out the contents, fill the jar halfway with warm water. This prevents food from drying and bonding to the blade or jar walls, which is the single most common reason blenders become hard to clean. If you cannot clean it straight away, at least let it soak in plain water.
- 2
Run the self-clean cycle
Add a small drop of dish soap to the warm water already in the jar, reattach the lid firmly, and blend on high for 30 to 60 seconds. The blending action drives soapy water into every corner around the blade. Pour out the soapy water and rinse with clean warm water, then blend again briefly to flush the soap out.
- 3
Disassemble the blade unit
Unscrew the blade assembly from the bottom of the jar (use a folded dish cloth — never grab the bare blade with your hand). Pull off the rubber gasket ring. These two parts are where old food residue and mould most commonly hide. Rinse each piece under running hot water immediately.
- 4
Scrub the blade unit, gasket, and jar
Use a bottle brush or small cleaning brush to scrub around and under the blades, inside the gasket groove, and the threads on the jar. A paste of baking soda and water, or a small splash of white vinegar, removes staining and odours from plastic jars without scratching. Rinse everything thoroughly; soap residue will affect the taste of your next batch.
- 5
Dry completely before reassembling
Moisture trapped between the gasket and the blade unit is the leading cause of mould and unpleasant smells in blenders stored in kitchens and rental properties. Pat each part dry with a clean towel, then leave the components disassembled on a drying rack for at least 15 minutes before you reassemble and store the blender with the lid off to allow air circulation.
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FAQ
- Can I put all blender parts in the dishwasher?
- Most blender jars (glass and hard plastic) are top-rack dishwasher safe, but the blade unit and rubber gasket should be hand-washed. High dishwasher heat degrades rubber seals quickly, causing leaks, and the mechanical vibration can dull blade edges over time.
- How do I remove a stubborn stain or smell from a plastic blender jar?
- Fill the jar with equal parts water and white vinegar, let it soak for 15 minutes, then blend briefly and rinse. For colour stains (turmeric, beetroot), a baking-soda paste scrubbed with a soft brush and left for five minutes before rinsing works well. Avoid abrasive scourers, which scratch plastic and create surfaces where bacteria can grip.
- How often should a blender be deep-cleaned in a rental property or hotel kitchen?
- For any shared or commercial setting, a full disassembly and scrub should happen after every use, not just a quick rinse. In a private home used daily, deep-clean the blade unit and gasket at least twice a week. Running the self-clean (soapy water blend) cycle after every single use is good practice regardless of setting.