How to Clean a Blender in 60 Seconds (and Deep-Clean It When You Need To)

Most people dread cleaning the blender more than using it. The good news: for everyday cleanup you barely need to touch it.

The 60-second self-clean

Do this right after you pour out your smoothie, before anything dries on.

1. Fill the jar about halfway with warm (not boiling) water.
2. Add one or two drops of dish soap. More than that and you’ll get a jar full of foam.
3. Put the lid on, start on low, then turn it up to high for 30–60 seconds.
4. Pour it out, rinse with clean water, and let the jar dry upside down.

That’s it for daily cleaning. The spinning blade scrubs the jar and the underside of the blade assembly better than a sponge can.

Why not hot water? Very hot liquid expands as it blends and can push the lid off. Warm tap water is plenty. If you ever blend hot soup, follow your manual’s instructions for hot liquids.

When the quick clean isn’t enough

Cloudy or filmy jar

A white, cloudy film is usually mineral deposits from hard water. (Orange or red tint instead? Try these ways to remove stains from a plastic blender jar.) Fill the jar halfway with equal parts warm water and white vinegar, let it sit for a few hours, then run the self-clean and rinse well. If the cloudiness won’t budge, it may be scratching rather than residue: see how to clean a cloudy blender jar.

Lingering smells (garlic, onion, protein powder)

Blend warm water with a tablespoon of baking soda for 30 seconds, let it stand for 10–15 minutes, then rinse. Drying the jar with the lid off also stops smells from building up. (A smell like burning rubber while it runs is a different problem: here’s why a blender smells like burning.)

Gunk around the blade

If your blender’s blade assembly comes off (many conventional and personal blenders do), take it out now and then and clean the gasket (the rubber ring). Food and moisture get trapped there. Blades are sharp: use a brush, not your fingers. Here’s how to clean a blender gasket and refit it so it doesn’t leak.

How often to clean each part

How often	What to do
After every use	The 60-second soapy self-clean, then dry upside down or with the lid off
Weekly (if your blade comes off)	Remove the blade assembly and wash the gasket and threads
Monthly, or when it looks cloudy	Vinegar soak for hard-water film
When smells linger	Baking soda blend and stand
Whenever it’s dusty or sticky	Wipe the motor base and controls (unplugged)

Can you put a blender jar in the dishwasher?

It depends on your model. Some jars and lids are dishwasher-safe (often top rack only). Others, especially some high-performance jars, are not, because the heat can cloud the plastic or damage the blade bearings. (It’s one reason some cooks prefer glass blender jars over plastic.) Check your manual. When in doubt, the self-clean method is gentler anyway.

Don’t forget the base

• Never put the motor base in water. Unplug it and wipe it with a damp cloth.
• Use a cotton swab or an old toothbrush for the crevices around the buttons and the drive socket.
• Make sure everything is completely dry before you use it again.

What not to do

• Don’t soak the blade assembly for long unless your manual says you can. Long soaks can wash lubricant out of the bearing and lead to leaks.
• Don’t use abrasive pads on plastic jars. They leave scratches that look cloudy and trap residue.
• Don’t use boiling water for the self-clean. Warm water is enough and safer.
• Don’t run the blender empty to “dry” it. Let it air-dry instead.
• Don’t put the motor base in water or under the tap.

Cleaning different types of blender

• Personal (bullet) blenders: Rinse the cup and blade base straight after use, and clean the threads where food hides. Many cups are top-rack dishwasher-safe; check your manual for the blade base.
• High-performance blenders: The blades are usually fixed in the jar, so the soapy self-clean is the main method. Check the manual before putting the jar in the dishwasher.
• Immersion (stick) blenders: Blend warm, soapy water in a tall cup for a few seconds, unplug, detach the shaft and rinse. Never submerge the motor body.

Quick recap

Problem	Fix
Everyday mess	Warm water + 1–2 drops soap, blend 30–60 s
Cloudy film	Half water, half white vinegar, soak a few hours
Smells	Warm water + 1 tbsp baking soda, blend and let stand
Gunk under the blade	Remove the blade assembly (if yours comes off) and brush the gasket

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to put dish soap in a blender?

Yes. One or two drops of dish soap with warm water is the standard self-clean method. Rinse well with clean water afterward.

How do I clean dried-on smoothie from a blender?

Fill the jar halfway with warm, soapy water and let it sit for a few minutes to soften the residue, then run the self-clean and rinse. Use a long-handled brush for anything left around the blades.

Can I use bleach to clean my blender?

Avoid it unless your manual says it’s OK. Dish soap, white vinegar and baking soda handle almost every blender cleaning job.

How do I get rid of a smell in my blender?

Blend warm water with a tablespoon of baking soda, let it stand for 10–15 minutes, rinse, and dry the jar with the lid off.

Should I dry my blender jar upside down?

Upside down or with the lid off both work. The goal is airflow, so moisture doesn’t sit in the jar and cause smells.

The bottom line

For everyday cleaning, blend warm water and a drop of dish soap for 30–60 seconds right after use, then rinse and air-dry. Use vinegar for cloudy film, baking soda for smells, and remove and brush the gasket now and then if your blade comes out.