Cleaning Your Blender: The Easy Method You Might Have Overlooked

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You might be religious about whipping up a quick, green smoothie in the mornings. However, you might not like cleaning your blender afterward. This holds especially true if your appliance isn't dishwasher-friendly. But instead of leaving it to "soak" in the sink all day, try a quick and easy way to wash your blender after each use. All you have to do is fill your blender jar with a little water and add a few drops of dish soap. Then, run it for a few seconds to clear out the gunk without scrubbing anything by hand.

While you may have overlooked it, this easy method will literally take seconds (no soaking!) and simplify your life. Plus, it's perfect for models that aren't dishwasher-friendly. And even if the manufacturer mentions your appliance is good to go in the dishwasher, exercise caution since the high heat can lead to the parts warping. Over time and with regular use, the rubber gasket might require a replacement sooner than you'd expect. The powerful (read: harsh) soap you use in the dishwasher won't do it any favors, either. You may even have to contend with a cloudy jar. Since the blending dish soap and water hack doesn't expose your blender to heat, it won't wear down the parts sooner than they should. Moreover, it'll help you target all the nooks and crannies you'd otherwise miss when cleaning them by hand. That being said, keep in mind that though nifty, this cleaning hack won't replace the need for a deeper clean. So, be sure to take apart and deep clean your blender every month to increase its lifespan.

After you use your blender, fill the jar ⅓ of the way with room-temperature water. Don't go beyond the halfway point. This is important since adding too much water can cause the lid to pop off. After the water, add a drop or two of dish soap. You also don't want to too much soap or the excessive suds may overflow and cause unwarranted accidents. Then put the lid on and fit the dirty jar in its dedicated spot. Now, just run your blender on the high setting for 20 to 30 seconds. This is enough time for the motor to do the hard work for you and loosen up all the gunk around the sides as well as the blades.

Once done, open the lid and dump the contents of your jar into the sink. Finally, rinse your jar with clear, running water and let it dry, so it's ready for its next blend. In case you notice a little bit of buildup around certain areas (mostly happens if you don't clean it instantly), do a second round with just water to loosen up the remaining food residue. While this simple cleaning hack should do the trick and get your jar mostly clean, don't forget to clean the rubber gasket, too. Grab a scrubbing brush, such as Omega Juicers' Cleaning Brush, or a sponge to scrape away remnants and prevent buildup in the long run. When you're satisfied, rinse the gasket and set it aside to air-dry.