Let’s be honest, a lot of us forget about cleaning our bread toaster once in a while. Good thing is that it’s not hard as you might think and it won’t take you more than 10 minutes. Yes, no more than 10 minutes for cleaning your toaster inside and out and making it shine like the first day.
How Often Should You Clean a Toaster?
How often will you clean your toaster depends solely on use. Families or individuals that don’t use toaster as often can get through with cleaning it once a month.
On the other side, if you make your toast every morning or even more often you’d like to give it a nice little clean at least every two weeks. The best would be to clean it once a week.
Cleaning a Toaster, Step-by-Step
The process is pretty straightforward and as long as you stick to the guidelines you can’t go wrong. It all comes down to rinsing, wiping, and a few shakes here and there to get the crumbs out. Fairly simple, right?
To get started let’s go through the list below and make sure we have everything we need to clean a toaster.
Things You Need for Cleaning a Toaster
- Sponge
- Baking soda
- Pastry brush
- Dishcloth or dishtowel
- Dishwashing liquid
- Soapy water
Don’t have everything you need? No worries, you can still give it a nice clean with just some soapy water and a little rub. Still clean, just not shiny as it could be.
Cleaning Inside of a Toaster
I bet this looks like a tricky part. Right? No need to worry though, it’s not tricky as it seems. You just need to make sure you follow all the steps in order.
- Unplug the toaster. That’s the first thing you want to do in order for this cleaning endeavor to be safe.
- Make sure the toaster is cooled off and you can handle it safely.
- Flip the toaster upside down and give it a good shake. This will remove most of the crumbs from the inside.
- Once done, place the toaster on the countertop, remove and empty the crumb tray.
- Fill the sink with warm water and add dishwashing liquid.
- Soak the crumb tray in the sink and leave it for a while.
- Take the pastry brush and brush off any crumbs that were left inside of a toaster.
- Use the sponge to wash the crumb tray and leave it to dry.
Hey, we’re already halfway there! Once you get a hang of it, cleaning a toaster will be a piece of cake.
Cleaning Outside of a Toaster
How this part is going to play out for you depends on how dirty is your toaster. For not-so-dirty toasters, a simple wipe with soapy water and dishcloth will do it. On the other hand, if your toaster has been off the cleaning priority list for a while chances are you will need to go through the process listed down below.
- Wet a cloth in soapy water and rinse it out. Use it to wipe down the outside of a toaster.
- Let it sit for a few minutes and then use the dishtowel to wipe off the soap.
- Use the baking soda for any stains that remain. Scrub until the stains are gone.
- Once done, take a clean dishcloth and wipe down the toaster.
- When both toaster and crumb tray are dry put them back together.
There you have it. A clean toaster within 10 minutes. Not so bad considering you’ve probably neglected cleaning it for some time.
But what about those who had something else end up in their toaster? Something like, let’s say – cheese. There are a few extra steps and tools you will need but it’s nothing that can’t be done. Continue reading to find out that, and a few other tricks that might come in handy.
Cleaning a Toaster With Cheese in It
Toast and cheese just go hand to hand so it’s no wonder one cheesy slice ended up in your toaster. Getting it out of there is no brainer, you’ll just need a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape it off. Never use a fork or any other metal utensil!
- Make sure the toaster is unplugged and cooled.
- Wait for the cheese to solidify as then it will be easiest to remove.
- Use a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape off the cheese.
- In case there is still some cheese left use an old toothbrush to remove it.
Cleaning a Stainless Steel Toaster
Cleaning a stainless steel toaster is no different than cleaning just about any toaster. The thing here is you can use one neat little trick to make it as good as new. That little trick is of course the vinegar. What’s the deal with it? Let’s see.
- Make a mix of vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio.
- Wet a cloth in it and wipe down the toaster.
- Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Wipe the toaster with a clean dishtowel.
Vinegar will help with removing any stains on the outside and bring that stainless steel shine to its former glory.
Cleaning a New Toaster Before Use
It’s always a good idea to clean a new toaster you just got before using it. It’s been around storages, store shelves, held by countless people and you’re about to put food in it. Makes sense to give it a nice little clean right?
- Make a mix of warm water and soap or dishwashing liquid.
- Soak a cloth in it and wipe the toaster.
- Dry the toaster with a clean dishcloth.
- Check insides for any debris. If there’s any, shake them out or use a brush to remove them.
You’re all set for your toasting endeavors. Just don’t forget to plug your toaster in after it’s all shiny, clean, and dry. It might not work otherwise.
Video Guide on Cleaning a Toaster
Related Questions:
Can You Wash a Toaster in The Sink?
No, you cannot wash a toaster in the sink. You should never immerse a toaster or any electrical appliance into the water. The only part of the toaster being washed in the sink is a crumb tray.
How Do You Get Brown Stains Out of a Toaster?
You should use baking soda to remove brown stains from the toaster. Make a thick paste and apply it to the stained spots. Leave it for a while and then wipe with a dishcloth soaked in soapy water.
Why Does My Toaster Smell?
Most often the smell coming out of a toaster is caused by dust particles or crumbs burning off the coils. If the smell continues after cleaning your toaster might be broken. In that case, it would be best to look for a new one.
