I often get the question, "How do you keep your blender container so clean?!" My cleaning methods work on any kind of blender, from high powered to portable. After this tutorial, you'll be a pro at how to clean a blender. And the bonus... it'll feel like you've got a self cleaning blender!
The self cleaning blender in 3 easy steps
If you've been wondering how to clean that blender without too much work, then I've got the solution for you. Here are three quick steps that I do at least once a week to keep my awesome blender looking new.
- Add soap + warm water: Fill your blender about ½ way with warm water and a quick squirt of liquid soap.
- Blend: Put the lid on the blender (don't forget to do this!), then place onto base. Turn the machine on and let ‘er rip for a few seconds, while you watch the magic happen.
- Rinse well: Rinse the soapy, foamy water after you're done blending. Then watch your pitcher sparkle (and avoid that extra "clean" taste next time you blend)!
Make sure to follow these steps immediately after blending + pouring out your green smoothie, so that the smoothie remnants don't stick to the sides of the container. I like to rinse out the container before adding soap and warm water, kinda like rinsing off your dishes before sticking them into the dishwasher. This method works on all kinds of blenders, and turns your blender into a mini dishwasher, self cleaning with its own power. No scrubbing for you!
Foggy film? It's deep cleaning time!
Does your blender need some extra elbow grease to make shine again? If you notice a foggy film appearing on the inside of your blender pitcher (this can happen in plastic and glass blenders), then use these ingredients to clean your blender right up.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a great + natural ingredient used in many household cleaners. It is a great, as well as safe, cleaner for blenders too! Mix baking soda with just enough water to turn it into a paste. Use a sponge to apply that paste to the cloudy spots in my blender container. Let it set for 30 minutes, then wet the sponge and lightly scrub on the spots with paste. This should create enough friction to help you rub off the film. Rinse the container well, and look at your shiny 'new' blender!
Vinegar
Adding vinegar in with your soap + water mixture can help combat cloudy spots as well. Some people use straight vinegar to clean, yet I find that it leaves an after smell. Since I don't like vinegar flavor in my smoothies, I usually add ¼ cup of vinegar to warm water, then clean using the 3 step process above. This especially helps when those pesky chia seeds stick to the blades or sides of the container.
How to clean the outside of the blender
Now that the inside of your blender is shiny and new, it's time to make the outside match! Ingredients can get stuck/dripped/spilled on the base of the blender, and need to get cleaned too. I typically use a soft cloth and warm water to wipe down the outside of my Vitamix. Yet if something greasy gets stuck, add a little vinegar to the cloth as well, then apply a bit of elbow grease.
How do you clean your blender? Drop a comment and let me know your fav blender cleaning tips + tricks.
Leeney
Thank you so much for these tips! I can't wait to try them on my super foggy blender container!
Kim
Thank you for sharing these tips! My blender looks brand new. 🙂
Amanda
Game changer!!
Cheryl
Make sure to keep your blender away from glass cleaners with ammonia ...it will leave permanent marks on the plastic pitcher ...my Vitamix is near a kitchen window and some of the glass cleaner spray meant for the window found its way to my Vitamix and left permanent water marks on the outside of the pitcher...
Linda Markarian
I have used the 3 step method for a while. I can’t wait to try the anti-fog methods. I never knew there was anything that could be done for this.
Simple Green Smoothies
So glad you'll be able to give these other methods a try. Let us know what you think!
Danna
I’ve always cleaned my with the 3-step method but planning to try your “fog” method today.
Thanks!
Lora
I "pre-clean" the blender after making a thick and sticky smoothie by scraping out all the smoothie I can, then putting about a quarter cup of whatever my base liquid was in the smoothie, almond milk or soy milk, or even plain water. Put the lid on tight and reeve it up to full speed for an about 30 seconds. Then I pour all that liquid containing the remnants of my expensive protein powder, fruits and veggies into my smoothie jar, put the lid on and shake shake shake it to mix and make thee thick smoothie more drinkable. This is also so those ingredients don't go down the drain and instead I get my full money's worth.
Danna
Great idea!
Cristina
I have an oster 12 speed non powerful. I always just hand wash mine after every use green smoothie with warm water and dish soap. Occasionally I’ll put it in the dishwasher
Jen
The foggy film is due to citrus etching the container. Glass is best for citrus.
Sandra
I use straight white vinegar and hot water. Rinse of course. Done
SGS Rawkstar
Perfect, Sandra! We love cleaning with vinegar too!
Bethany
A capful of bleach to 2 cups of water on the hot soup setting (or 5 minutes) is recommended by a Vitamix demonstrator or using 1-2 denture cleaning tablets and same amount of water for the same amount of time.
Has anyone tried Borax? Baking soda nor Barkeeper's Friend worked for me. Wondering if the Borax would fail too?
Thanks for the tip to NOT air dry. That's what I've been doing!
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Bethany,
Thank you so much for reaching out + sharing Vitamix's suggestions.
Sharyn
Good tips. The Vitamix guy at costco suggested bleach! He had bleach tablets but I haven't found those. I used a capful of bleach and warm water and ran it on the "hot soup" program. It worked really well! I'm going to try some of these other things too.
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Sharyn,
So happy we could help! Reach back out + let us know how our tips work for you. Cheers to a squeaky clean blender!
Sally at Garden Valley Homestead
I'd love to think that adding coconut oil to the smoothie prevents fog on the pitcher. But, my pitcher is fogged and I add coconut oil. 🙁
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Sally,
Oh no! 🙁 Have you tried giving it a gentle scrub with a sponge, warm water, and a dab of baking soda to help clear up the fog?
Cassandre
Hi all,
I actually clean my blender with a cut up lemon and water. My blender is always clean and smells lemony fresh.
SGS Rawkstar
Cassandre,
Thank you so much for the great tip!
Savanna
Thanks for the tips. I will try them out too. My vitamix jar is fogging up and i didn't know what to do with it.
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Savanna,
Lets us know how our cleaning tips work for you!
Ana Lia
I used to get the calcium build up in my blender and to clean it I would fill it with super hot water and dump 7 or 8 of those denture cleaning tablets (you can get them at any grocery store or pharmacy). Leave overnight and rinse! it works great. A Vitamix lady from Costco gave me the tip.
Now that the jar is clean I make sure to wash (using the method in the video) AND dry really well after use. I haven't had a problem in months.
Simple Green Smoothies
Great tip. 🙂
Joy
I do rinse it out immediately after blending our green smoothies every morning. Then, once a week I put my Blendtec and its lid & cap in the dishwasher, lid & cap on top rack, blender jug on bottom facing down, and it cleans it up quite nice.
Verena
Has anyone thought of using citric acid to clean the blender jug? I use citric acid to clean my egg cooker. After a number of uses the calcium build up starts sticking to the non stick coating of the cooker base. Easiest way to clean is to use a couple of tablespoons of citric acid and boil it up in the cooker. The mineral build up just floats away. I can't see why it shouldn't work with the blenders. I don't have a build up problem with my blender as it has a glass jug. It would be interesting to here if it works.
Rhonda
Where can I get citric acid?
Heather
I bought citric acid on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Citric-Acid-Non-GMO-Organic-Chemicals/dp/B006STCVL8/ref=pd_sbs_gro_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=171MAV695JEP5HSK8SMG
Rhonda
Thanks, Heather. Does critic acid work on any non-stick pan?
Lechuga
I like your technique because IT SAVES WATER!
We are all organic, pro-health water but we waste so much water. One day we will miss it.
Simple Green Smoothies
Thanks, Lechuga. 🙂
Jana
I have a Vitamix that I adore. I have had it for a year now and I have very hard water where I live. Everything gets crusted with minerals constantly. But not my Vitamix! I clean it like this daily but I always rinse it and then towel dry it.
If I didn't, it would be coated with lime quickly. My Nutribullet got that way very quickly as I did air dry it. I couldn't get rid of the mineral buildup with anything!
I gave my NB to my son anyway, but I don't want my beautiful (6300) VM getting ugly like that. I don't use my blender to make my coffee/butter/coconut oil mix, I use a little immersion attachment for my hand mixer. Works just fine.
For those of you that are curious:
https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/recipes/a20473658/buttered-coffee-recipe/
Enjoy!!
Simple Green Smoothies
Thanks for sharing. 🙂 Cheers, Jana. 🙂
Lisa
My vitamix container got really bad. I filled it with vinegar and let it soak for a couple of days. Then I used baking soda and scrubbed with a sponge and it really cleared it up. I also read on the Vitamix website that you should always dry it out with a towel after cleaning and don't let it air dry. Since I have been doing that it has stayed clearer and less fog build up.
Simple Green Smoothies
Great tips, Lisa!
katie
I wonder if the fog problem is due to using citrus fruits, like lemons, limes, grapefruits, etc. I use Young Living Essential Oils and only use the citrus oils in a glass container b/c they will make a plastic cup look cloudy from stripping a layer of the plastic off. Not something you want to drink! Just a thought...
Simple Green Smoothies
Not sure, Katie what causes it. Lisa (the comment above) has some great tips. 🙂
Linda
The only thing I've found to work to remove the cloudy film from my Nutribullet cup is to use soapy hot water and spin it (to clean the blades), and then add some bleach, (Yes, bleach) to the cup and let that sit in the cup for a few hours or overnight. It works like a charm... I just hope it's safe... (??)
Simple Green Smoothies
Not sure you want to use bleach on items that you will use to drink out of. I would stick to baking powder and vinegar if needed.
Linda
I thought the same thing Jessie, but my boyfriend insists that it's perfectly safe... Hmmm.....
Simple Green Smoothies
🙂
Kelly
I use an immersion blender for my bulletproof coffee....and I add a heaping teaspoon of turmeric paste to make what I call a "Golden Latte"....OMGOODNESS! Who knew butter and oil in your coffee could be so wondeful?!?
Simple Green Smoothies
Sounds great!
Valerie
I would love a recipe for the homemade LaraBars you mentioned...they can get expensive!
Simple Green Smoothies
Yes, they can.
I will ask Jen and get back to you. Maybe we can do a new post on all things Jen's recipes. 🙂 She's got some good ones.
Vikky
I've tried all kinds of ways to get rid of that foggy film on my Vitamix and it is still there. I wash it every time I use it with water and dish soap and let it run at least a minute. I have scrubbed it with a non scratch scrubbing pad and still can't get that fog off. What is going on?
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Vikky,
Do you use oils in your blender?
Jody
I put my vitamix in the dish washer at least once a week, it gets really clean.
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Jody,
Thanks for the comment. I would suggest double checking on Vitamix's website, not all Vitamix's are dishwasher safe.
Tatiana Escalada
So simple, so genius! Thanks 🙂
Simple Green Smoothies
We love simple!
Stephen Delach
Water - dash of Cascade-run on high 30 sec and rinse well
Simple Green Smoothies
🙂
Trish
Cleaning the blender this way was a MAJOR selling point for me in deciding to buy a Vitamix. It's so quick and when the water gets hot after blending I use the water to get rid of all that gunk that sticks to the blender cap.
Melanie G
I use coconut oil in my smoothies everyday and my vitamix is cloudy. Thanks for the tip on cleaning it up 🙂
Simple Green Smoothies
🙂 Happy to help. 🙂
jothi
I have a omega juicer that got cloudy , I make alot of fresh pineapple juice, when I started that, it started clouding up. (could it be the same with the Vitamix , mine is new and hasn't clouded up yet.) I'm going to try some coconut oil with baking powder to clean it. Thanks for the great tip. Jothi
Simple Green Smoothies
🙂 Cheers!
Eleanor
I use hot soap water and it works, can I ask what is with coconut oil and coffee.
Simple Green Smoothies
I will ask Jen. 🙂 It is a popular request. 🙂
Isabelle
I rinse my vitamix and add the lemon rinds from my morning warm lemon water if my blender is looking foggy -- clears it up right away + it's all natural!
Simple Green Smoothies
Truth! 🙂 Love it!
Wendy
Soap and hot water are great for a daily cleaning. For a deep clean, I use vinegar, baking soda, and course salt.
My issue is that, in the past, I've made a smoothie with turmeric, got called away and left the smoothie in the container for a few hours, and now the container is stained greenish yellow. I can get the container completely clean, but that stain still remains.
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Wendy,
I think you just gave Vitamix a great new product idea, tinted jars. 🙂
Joy
I have tried baking soda, vinegar and others. I still have the foggy film on them. No luck here. 🙁
Simple Green Smoothies
Do you have a Vitamix, Joy? Have you tried calling them?
Diane
What Brooke said!
Simple Green Smoothies
🙂
Emsoo
Wow; I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I've tried all these things and nothing works for me.
Simple Green Smoothies
Do you have a Vitamix?
April
I'm with Brooke - life changer! I used to rinse it really well, but I put ground flax in my smoothies and that sticks to the sides, making so I need to actually scrub. With this method, the blending does the scrubbing for me! 🙂
Thanks a bunch!
Simple Green Smoothies
Cheers, April!
Sherry
Sometimes a put a little baking soda in the blender with the soap - works like a CHARM!!
Simple Green Smoothies
Great. 🙂
Julie
my blender has an auto cleaner option, i fill it up half way like showed but usually without soap (i only make smoothies anyway) so easy
Simple Green Smoothies
🙂 That's awesome!
Sybil
That is just how I clean the vitamix. Sometimes in addition I use a little brush or sponge.
Simple Green Smoothies
🙂
hilary cracknell
I always do this, I can't imagine not cleaning my blender after each use, it's so quick. No foggy film either 🙂
Simple Green Smoothies
🙂 We love having a foggy free blender. 🙂
JHanna
I am with Eleanor i want to know more about your coffee with butter and coconut oil 🙂
Simple Green Smoothies
🙂
Holli
The Vitamix demo guy suggested throwing in a little orange peel and/or vinegar to help cut the grease when cleaning.
Simple Green Smoothies
Great tip!
Rosanna
This is great! Yes my blender cups get a foggy film on them even after washing and I blame the coconut oil in my morning coffee as well! It's worth it though, can't have my coffee any other way now!
Simple Green Smoothies
Cheers!
Brooke
OMG- Life changer! Why didn't I think of that?! Thank you for the tip. My blender thanks you too 😉
Simple Green Smoothies
Awesome! Happy to help!
Traci
The video is the way I clean my blender...but once in a while if there is a stubborn flake of something left, I gently use my son's old bottle brush to get to it.
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Traci, Great tip! Bottle brushes work too. 🙂