Cleaning your juicer properly is key to ensuring it works efficiently and lasts a long time. A clean juicer will give you the best tasting juice with the most nutrients. It also prevents cross-contamination between juices and reduces build up that can affect performance.
Proper cleaning removes leftover pulp, juice residue, and food particles that can harbor bacteria. It also gets rid of stains and sticky buildup. Taking the time to clean your juicer after each use will save you time and money in the long run.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to thoroughly clean every part of your juicer:
Unplug the Juicer
Before cleaning, make sure to unplug the juicer from any power source. This ensures safety while cleaning. If your juicer has a power switch, turn it to the “off” position as well.
Disassemble the Juicer
Most juicers come apart into several pieces for easy cleaning. Refer to your instruction manual on how to properly disassemble your particular juicer model.
Make sure to remove all parts including:
- Feed chute/hopper
- Juicing screen/strainer basket
- Pulp container
- Juice bowl
- Blade/auger
- Juice jug
- Pusher/tamper
- Locking latch clips or knobs
- Splash guard
- Feed tube
- Any other removable parts
Place the disassembled parts aside on a clean surface. This allows you to thoroughly clean each part.
Rinse Removable Parts
Rinse all removable juicer parts under running water. Use a soft sponge or brush to gently scrub off and rinse away any leftover pulp, juice or food residues.
Focus on removing stains and buildup from crevices, mesh screens, augers, and anywhere pulp can accumulate.
Tip:
Soak any stubborn dried up pulp in water briefly to soften before rinsing if needed.
Wash with Dish Soap
Wash all disassembled juicer parts with hot water and mild dish soap. Use a soft brush or sponge to gently clean.
Make sure to get into crevices and mesh screens. Soak any parts with stuck-on residues in hot soapy water to loosen buildup if needed.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all traces of dish soap afterwards.
Important:
Check juicer manual as some parts may be dishwasher safe but others require handwashing.
Clean Juicer Housing
For the juicer’s housing or base, wipe down the exterior with a soft damp cloth.
Use a small brush to gently clean around the motor base, crevices, and any openings or vents.
Avoid submerging the motor housing in water or using running water directly on it unless specified as safe by the manufacturer.
Caution:
Unplug juicer before cleaning the base and wipe any electrical components carefully.
Sanitize (Optional)
For an extra level of cleanliness, you can sanitize your juicer parts after washing.
Soak washed parts in warm water mixed with a small amount of white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice for 10-15 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly afterwards and allow to fully dry before reassembling juicer parts.
Fully Dry All Parts
Make sure to fully dry each juicer part after washing. Use a soft lint-free cloth to gently dry parts. Allow parts to air dry as well.
Do not reassemble or operate your juicer until all parts are completely dry. This prevents mold or bacteria growth.
Tip:
Dry any crevices or mesh screens with a soft toothbrush.
Reassemble Juicer
Once all parts are fully dry, carefully reassemble the juicer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure all parts are securely in place before use.
Clean With Citrus (Optional)
For occasional deeper cleaning, consider using citrus to help remove some stains and buildup.
Cut a lemon or lime into wedges and rub the cut side firmly over stains on the juicing bowl, screen, auger etc. The citric acid helps break down residue.
Rinse thoroughly afterwards. Use this tip sparingly along with regular cleaning.
Bleach Clean (Optional)
For tougher buildup, you can soak parts in water mixed with a small amount of bleach (about 1 tsp bleach per 1 cup water).
Soak 10-15 minutes then rinse very thoroughly afterwards. Make sure to wash parts with dish soap afterwards as well.
Only use this bleach method sporadically as bleach can damage parts over time.
Clean Feed Chute
Don’t forget to clean inside the feed chute where ingredients are loaded.
Use a small narrow brush to gently scrub out any food particles, pulp or juices that may cling to the inside of the chute.
Rinse any soap residues out afterwards by running water through the chute.
Keep Pulp Basket Clean
The pulp basket can accumulate a lot of wet pulp residue if not cleaned properly after each use.
Avoid just rinsing the basket as this leaves a lot of pulp trapped behind.
For best results, use a small brush each time to gently scrub the entire basket surface.
Rinse well to remove all pulp. Allow to fully dry open upside down.
Deep Clean Juicing Screen
The fine mesh juicing screen tends to accumulate a lot of built up stains and pulp over time.
For a deep clean, use an old toothbrush and gently brush the screen under running water. This breaks up and dislodges residues from the mesh.
Avoid using anything abrasive that can damage the delicate mesh. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Clean Locking Mechanism
Pay attention to cleaning any latch clips, locks or knobs used to secure juicer parts.
Use an old toothbrush to scrub off pulp or juices that can make these sticky. Keeping clean allows parts to lock properly.
Descaling Juicer
Hard water can leave mineral deposits over time that create scale buildup in juicers.
To remove scale, fill the juicing bowl with equal parts water and distilled white vinegar. Let soak 15-30 minutes then scrub with a soft brush.
Rinse thoroughly and repeat if needed for heavy scale. This should be done occasionally to keep your juicer working efficiently.
Clean Feed Tube
Don’t forget to regularly clean the inside of the feed tube where you insert ingredients.
Use a long narrow bottle brush to gently scrub out any food particles, juices or residue from the tube walls. Keeping this clean prevents contamination of future juices.
Keep Juice Jug Clean
It’s easy to overlook cleaning the juice collection jug but this part also needs regular cleaning.
Use dish soap and a bottle brush to scrub out residual juices, pulp and food residues that can build up over time.
This keeps your juice fresher. Dry fully after each wash.
Avoid Bleach
While using diluted bleach can help remove some stains on occasion, avoid using it regularly.
The harsh chemicals in bleach can damage and degrade plastic juicer parts over time with repeated exposure.
Use natural cleaners when possible and bleach sparingly for tough build up.
Let Parts Fully Dry
It’s important to let all juicer parts fully air dry after washing before reassembling.
Trapped moisture can allow mold and bacteria to grow, especially in crevices and the juicing screen mesh.
Pat parts dry with a soft towel then let air dry completely before reuse.
Clean Immediately After Use
Don’t wait too long after juicing to start cleanup. Leftover pulp and juice residue dries quickly and becomes harder to clean.
As soon as you’re done juicing for the day, start disassembling and cleaning your juicer right away for easiest cleaning.
Use Soft Cleaning Tools
Avoid abrasive brushes or scouring pads when cleaning a juicer. Stick to soft sponges, cloths and brushes.
Hard scrubbing can damage delicate parts like the juicing mesh screen. Gentle cleaning is best.
Give Parts a Quick Rinse Between Uses
If making multiple juices in one session, do a quick rinse of removable parts between uses.
This prevents residue or juices from drying and builds up between juices. It makes cleanup much easier.
Don’t Soak In Water Too Long
While it’s fine to soak tough residues, avoid leaving juicer parts sitting in water for extended periods. Prolonged water exposure can damage parts over time.
Complete cleaning within 10-15 minutes. Prolonged soaking weakens plastic components.
Storing Your Juicer
Once fully dry, reassemble the juicer if not using immediately. To store:
- Coil and secure any cords neatly around base.
- Place back in box or storage bag if available.
- Store out of direct sunlight in a clean dust-free area.
- Avoid putting heavy items on top that can damage it.
Proper storage will keep your juicer working great and extend its lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Juicers:
How often should you clean your juicer?
For best results, you should fully clean your juicer immediately after each use. Don’t wait until residue has time to dry and harden. Quick cleaning makes the job easier.
Should juicer parts be washed by hand or in the dishwasher?
Always check your manual but typically rubber and plastic parts should be handwashed. Dishwashers can damage these parts. Any metal parts are usually dishwasher safe.
What is the best way to clean dried juice or pulp out of a juicer screen?
Fill the juice bowl with warm water and let the dried bits soak for 10-15 minutes to loosen and soften the residue. Then use a soft brush gently to scrub and rinse clean. Repeat if needed for stubborn buildup.
How do you remove stains from a plastic juicer part?
For stains, rub a cut lemon firmly over stains and let sit briefly before scrubbing and rinsing. For tough stains, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the stained area, let sit 15 minutes, then scrub and rinse.
Why is mold growing in my juicer parts?
Mold means you have leftover moisture and juices not being cleaned out fully. Make sure to fully dry each part, especially crevices and screens where moisture lingers. Never put parts away still wet.
How can you get rid of odors in a juicer?
Rinse well after use, then occasionally make a cleaning juice to freshen the juicer. Add water, lemon juice, and a pinch of coarse salt and run it through the juicer. Rinse well after.
How do you clean juice residue out of a small juicer brush?
Rinse the brush well under water squeezing the bristles to remove residue. If needed, soak in warm soapy water to loosen buildup. Rinse thoroughly. Air dry before storing.
Why do you need to descale a juicer?
Hard water mineral deposits can build up over time and prevent your juicer from working efficiently. Descaling periodically removes this buildup so your juicer performs optimally.
Conclusion
Keeping your juicer squeaky clean should be an essential part of your juicing routine. Properly cleaning all parts, inside and out, prevents contamination between juices, extends the life of the appliance, and gives you the best tasting, most nutritious juices.
By fully disassembling, washing, rinsing, and drying each part after use, you can keep your juicer like new and avoid common problems like mold growth or fouling. Pay extra attention to small crevices and the juicing screen where residue loves to accumulate.
Make cleaning a habit after each use and your juicer will be ready whenever you need it. Consistent cleanup may add a few minutes after juicing, but it’s well worth it for optimizing performance and results. Just take your time and be thorough for a sparkling clean machine.