Domakihub How to Clean a Salad Spinner the Right Way
Keep your spinner fresh, mould-free, and ready for the next salad in minutes.
Reviewed by Domakihub cleaning pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
A salad spinner is one of the hardest-working tools in any kitchen — from family homes in Athens to holiday villas in Crete and hotel breakfast counters across Greece. The video above walks through a full disassembly and clean on the popular OXO model; this guide gives you the step-by-step method that works for virtually any brand. Done right, the whole job takes under ten minutes and prevents the hidden mould that builds up inside the spin mechanism.
Why Salad Spinners Get Dirty Faster Than You Think
The basket and bowl are easy to rinse, but most spinners trap water inside the lid mechanism or under the push-button pump after every use. Over days that trapped moisture becomes a breeding ground for mould and bacteria — a particular concern in the warm Greek climate where kitchens can reach high temperatures in summer.
Takeaway greens and fresh herbs are perishable. If the spinner itself is harbouring residue from last week's salad, even freshly washed lettuce picks up contamination. A weekly deep-clean — and a quick rinse after every use — solves this entirely.
Which Parts Actually Need Cleaning
Every salad spinner has three main parts: the outer bowl, the inner basket, and the lid (which contains the spinning mechanism). The bowl and basket are straightforward. The lid is where most people stop short — they rinse the outside but never remove the mechanism, so grime accumulates in the pump housing or the brake button channel.
Check your brand's manual or the video above: most lids separate into two halves, or the pump/brake pops out with a simple twist or lift. Once disassembled, there is nothing delicate about cleaning it.
How to Clean a Salad Spinner: 5 Steps
- 1
Disassemble the lid
Remove the lid from the bowl, then separate the spinning mechanism from the lid shell. On most models (OXO, Zyliss, IKEA) the pump button lifts straight out, or you twist the inner lid ring counter-clockwise to free it. Keep track of any small rubber gaskets — they are the most common parts to lose down the drain.
- 2
Rinse all parts under warm running water
Hold each piece under warm (not boiling) water and rub away any visible food residue with your fingers. Pay special attention to the underside of the basket rim and any grooves or teeth in the lid mechanism where food and water sit.
- 3
Scrub with a drop of dish soap and a small brush
Use a bottle brush, an old toothbrush, or a washing-up brush to scrub the basket mesh, the gear channel inside the lid, and the bowl's inner wall. A drop of dish soap is sufficient — no need for any stronger cleaning agent for routine cleaning. For stubborn build-up, let the parts soak in warm soapy water for five minutes first.
- 4
Rinse thoroughly and check for mould
Rinse every part under clean water until no soap remains. Then hold the lid pieces up to the light and inspect the pump housing and any folded plastic tabs for dark spots. If you find mould, make a solution of one part white vinegar to two parts water, submerge the affected pieces for fifteen minutes, scrub again, and rinse.
- 5
Air-dry completely before reassembling
Stand all parts upright or lay them on a clean dish rack and allow them to air-dry fully before clipping the lid back together. Reassembling while still wet is the single biggest cause of mould returning inside the mechanism. In a busy hotel or rental kitchen, a dedicated drying spot away from steam keeps the spinner in top condition between uses.
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FAQ
- Can I put my salad spinner in the dishwasher?
- The bowl and basket of most spinners are top-rack dishwasher-safe, but the lid mechanism generally is not — the heat can warp plastic gears and degrade rubber gaskets. Always check the manufacturer's label. When in doubt, hand-wash the lid.
- How often should I deep-clean a salad spinner?
- For a household used a few times a week, a thorough disassembly and scrub once a week is sufficient alongside a quick rinse after every use. In commercial kitchens, hotel buffets, or rental properties used by back-to-back guests, clean after each guest stay or at the end of every service day.
- My spinner smells musty even after washing — what do I do?
- A musty smell almost always means mould has taken hold inside the lid mechanism. Disassemble fully, soak all lid parts in a 1:2 white vinegar and water solution for 15-20 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, rinse well, and dry completely in a ventilated spot. If the smell persists after two treatments, the spinner may need replacing.