Domakihub How to Clean a Juicer Properly — and Keep It That Way
A quick rinse is never enough — here is how to clean every part correctly so your juicer lasts for years.
Reviewed by Domakihub cleaning pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
A juicer that is not cleaned immediately after use quickly turns into a pulp-caked, stain-setting problem — and in the Greek summer heat that process takes less than an hour. The video above walks you through the smartest habits for a fast clean-up, while this guide breaks the process into clear steps that work whether you run a private home, a holiday rental, or a hotel breakfast station. Follow this routine every time and the machine will last for years without odours, clogging, or stained mesh screens.
Why Timing Is Everything When Cleaning a Juicer
Fruit and vegetable pulp begins to dry within minutes of juicing, and dried pulp bonds to mesh screens and plastic parts in a way that is genuinely difficult to remove without scrubbing. In warm climates — particularly during a Greek summer — this window is even shorter because heat accelerates oxidation and drying.
Cleaning immediately after use, while the residue is still wet, is the single biggest factor in how long the job takes. A machine cleaned right away needs only a rinse and a light brush. The same machine left for two hours may need a 30-minute soak.
Types of Juicers and How Cleaning Differs
Centrifugal juicers spin at very high speed and shred produce through a flat, disc-shaped mesh basket. The basket accumulates fibrous pulp between its teeth and is the hardest part to clean — a stiff-bristle cleaning brush designed for mesh screens is essential.
Cold-press (masticating) juicers operate at lower speeds and use an auger to crush produce. They typically have fewer fast-moving parts and a simpler pulp pathway, which can make disassembly quicker. However, the auger's spiral grooves trap small fibres that need to be cleared with a thin bottle brush or the dedicated cleaning tool included with most models. Citrus juicers are the simplest of all — usually just a reamer, a strainer, and a bowl — and clean up in under two minutes.
How to Clean a Juicer: 5 Steps
- 1
Disassemble immediately after the last glass
As soon as you finish juicing, unplug the machine and take it apart completely — lid, pusher, pulp container, mesh basket or auger, and juice jug. Leaving it assembled traps moisture and makes pulp stick. Place all removable parts in or next to the sink before pulp has a chance to dry.
- 2
Rinse every part under cold running water
Use cold water first, not hot. Hot water cooks fruit sugars and proteins onto surfaces, making them harder to shift. Hold each piece under the tap and use your fingers or a soft brush to push wet pulp off the mesh and out of grooves. The goal at this stage is to remove loose pulp, not to fully clean — that comes next.
- 3
Brush mesh screens and textured surfaces
Fill the sink with warm soapy water using a drop of mild dish soap. Use a dedicated mesh brush (or a soft toothbrush for tight areas) to scrub the inside and outside of the mesh basket or strainer — work in circular motions to lift fibres caught between the teeth. For the auger or disc, scrub the spiral grooves with a thin bottle brush. A brief 5-minute soak in warm soapy water first will loosen any stubborn pulp that did not rinse off.
- 4
Wipe the motor base with a damp cloth
Never submerge the motor base in water or hold it under a tap. Instead, wipe it down with a cloth that has been wrung out well — slightly damp rather than wet. Pay attention to the area around the juice spout and the collar where parts lock in, as drips collect there during use. For dried juice marks, use a cloth moistened with a small amount of white vinegar, which dissolves sugar residue without damaging plastic.
- 5
Air-dry all parts fully before reassembling
Place each part on a clean drying rack or a folded tea towel and allow it to air-dry completely before putting the juicer back together. Reassembling while parts are still damp creates a humid interior that encourages mould and unpleasant odours — a particular concern in holiday rentals that may sit unused between guest stays. Once dry, store with the lid slightly ajar or leave the machine unassembled until next use.
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FAQ
- How do I remove orange or carrot stains from a plastic juicer body?
- Carrot and orange juice contain carotenoid pigments that stain pale plastic quickly. Make a paste of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and a few drops of water, apply it to the stained area, and leave it for 10 minutes before scrubbing gently with a soft cloth. White vinegar also helps — wipe the stain, leave for a few minutes, then rinse. For deep stains that have set, a soak in a dilute solution of white vinegar and water (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) for 20 minutes usually lifts them. Avoid abrasive scouring pads, which scratch plastic and make it stain more easily in future.
- Can I put juicer parts in the dishwasher?
- Many removable parts — pulp containers, juice jugs, pushers, and lids — are dishwasher-safe, and the manufacturer's manual will confirm this. However, the mesh basket or filter screen should generally be hand-washed: dishwasher detergent is alkaline and abrasive, and repeated cycles can warp fine mesh, coat it with limescale, or degrade the coating that prevents sticking. When in doubt, hand-wash mesh components and run everything else in the dishwasher on a gentle cycle.
- My juicer smells musty even after cleaning — what should I do?
- A musty smell is almost always caused by parts that were reassembled before they were fully dry, creating conditions for mould to grow in hidden seams and grooves. Disassemble the machine completely, soak all washable parts in a solution of 1 tablespoon white vinegar per litre of warm water for 20 minutes, then scrub carefully and rinse well. Leave everything to air-dry in a well-ventilated spot for several hours before reassembling. Going forward, store the juicer either fully disassembled or with the lid ajar so air can circulate inside.