A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Why Cleaning Your Blender Properly Actually Matters

If you think a quick rinse is enough, you’re fooling yourself. Blenders trap food in tiny corners — under the blades, around the rubber gasket, and inside the lid grooves. If you don’t clean it properly, bacteria grow fast, smells develop, and the blades dull over time. A dirty blender can even ruin the taste of your smoothies or sauces. So yes, learning how to clean a blender the right way isn’t optional — especially if you use it daily.

The Quickest and Easiest Method: The Self-Clean Hack

If you’re lazy or always in a rush, this is the method you’ll actually use — and it works surprisingly well.

Step-by-Step Self-Clean Method

Fill the blender halfway with warm water.
Add 1–2 drops of dish soap — not more, unless you want a foam volcano.
Put the lid on securely.
Run the blender for 20–30 seconds.
Empty the soapy water and rinse thoroughly with warm water.

This alone removes 80–90% of the mess, especially right after blending. But it’s not enough if you’ve made something sticky, oily, or smelly.

Deep Cleaning for When the Blender Smells or Feels Greasy

Smoothies with bananas, garlic pastes, spicy chutneys, nut butters — these leave behind serious residue. Deep cleaning prevents build-up and keeps your blender fresh.

Step 1: Take the Blender Apart

Don’t be stubborn. If you never dismantle the blade assembly, it WILL collect grime. Remove:

Jar
Lid
Blade base
Gasket ring

If your blender jar is fixed and non-removable (common in cheaper models), skip this and use the vinegar method later.

Step 2: Scrub Each Part Separately

Use a soft sponge or bottle brush. Don’t use steel scrubbers — they will scratch the plastic and create permanent odor-trapping grooves.

Step 3: Clean the Blades Safely

This is where most people get careless. Don’t scrub the blades aggressively — you’ll nick your fingers, and it’s unnecessary.

Better method:

Fill the jar with warm soapy water
Add the blades inside the jar
Use a long brush to move around the base

Never press your fingers against the blades.

Step 4: Clean the Lid and Rubber Seal

These parts trap the worst smells. Scrub inside all grooves. If it still smells, soak for 10 minutes in:

Warm water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar

It removes trapped odors and oil.

Step 5: Dry Everything Completely

Water trapped under the blade base encourages fungus. Don’t assemble anything until it is fully dry.

How to Remove Strong Odors (Garlic, Onion, Coffee, Spices)

If your blender stinks even after washing, use a deodorizing clean.

Baking Soda Deodorizing Paste

Make a thick paste with baking soda and water.
Spread inside the jar.
Leave for 30 minutes.
Wash and rinse.

Lemon and Hot Water Blend

This is also great for cloudiness and light stains.

Warm water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Blend 20 seconds
Rinse

Vinegar Steam Clean

Useful when the blender smells SOUR.

Fill jar with hot water
Add 2 tablespoons vinegar
Let sit 15 minutes
Wash normally

This removes trapped food smells quickly.

How to Clean a Blender With Stuck-On Residue

If your jar has sticky bits, dried fruit, protein powder cement, or spice paste stuck to the sides, do this:

Hot Soak Method

Fill the jar with very hot water.
Add dish soap.
Let it sit 30–40 minutes.
Use a soft brush to remove residue.

Salt + Dish Soap Scrub

Salt works as a mild abrasive that doesn’t scratch plastic.

Add 2 tablespoons salt
Add a few drops of dish soap
Scrub with a sponge

Great for stubborn sticky layers.

How to Clean Cloudy Blender Jars

Plastic jars often turn cloudy because of mineral deposits, hard water, or scratches. You can fix some of this.

Vinegar and Baking Soda Cloudiness Fix

Add 1 cup warm vinegar
Add 1 tablespoon baking soda
Let fizz for 5 minutes
Scrub with a bottle brush
Rinse thoroughly

Lemon Sponge Method

Cut a lemon in half, dip in salt, and scrub inside the jar.
This removes stains and adds shine.

How to Clean a Blender Base (Without Damaging It)

The base NEVER goes under water. If you do that, congratulations — you’ve broken your blender.

Safe Method

Unplug the blender
Wipe with a damp cloth
For sticky spills, use a little soapy water
Clean around buttons with a toothbrush
Dry immediately

If something spills into the button gaps, clean it immediately before it hardens.

How to Clean a Blender Bottle or Personal Blender Cup

These cups trap smells faster than full-size jars.

Quick Cleaning

Self-clean method works
But do it immediately after use

Deep Clean for Bottle Smell

Add warm water
Add 1 teaspoon baking soda
Add 1 teaspoon vinegar
Shake
Leave 10 minutes
Rinse

Never leave protein shake residue inside. It smells terrible.

How to Clean a Blender After Grinding Spices

This leaves oily residue and smell. Doing it wrong can ruin your next smoothie.

Best Cleaning Process

Brush out dry spice powder
Add warm soapy water
Blend 10–15 seconds
Rinse
Blend again with warm water + 1 spoon lemon juice
Rinse thoroughly

This clears spices and oil.

How to Clean a Blender Used for Hot Soups

Hot soups create oily film that sticks to the jar.

Use This Method

Rinse immediately with warm water
Add dish soap + hot water
Blend
Rinse
Scrub lightly around the lid seal

Don’t let soup cool inside — it becomes a nightmare to clean.

How to Prevent Blender Stains and Odors Long-Term

Most people complain their blender smells because they clean too late or too lazily. These habits prevent problems:

Clean Immediately After Use

Waiting even 10 minutes lets food dry and stick.

Don’t Store It Wet

Moisture = mold.

Don’t Use Harsh Scrubbers

They scratch the jar and trap odors.

Avoid Overfilling

Overflow food slips under the blade base and causes odor.

Store With Lid Off

Prevents trapped smell and moisture.

What Not to Do (Most People Break Their Blender This Way)

Here’s the blunt truth: people damage blenders because they don’t follow basic rules.

Don’t:

Dip the base in water
Use boiling water unless manual says it’s safe
Use steel scrubbers
Force the blade to spin with your hand
Leave food inside for hours
Store it closed and wet

All of these reduce the blender’s lifespan.

Simple Daily Cleaning Routine (So You Never Hate Washing It Again)

This routine takes less than 60 seconds and avoids long-term damage.

Immediately rinse the jar with warm water
Add water + a drop of dish soap
Blend
Rinse
Dry upside down
Leave the lid open

If you follow this, deep cleaning becomes effortless.

Final Thoughts: Clean Your Blender the Smart Way

Cleaning a blender isn’t rocket science, but doing it wrong makes your kitchen smell bad and shortens the machine’s life. Whether you blend smoothies, chutneys, soups, or spices, the simple truth is: clean it immediately, clean it properly, and clean all the hidden parts.

Do it right, and your blender stays fresh, powerful, and hygienic for years.