How to Clean Your Toaster Properly

When it comes to cleaning your toaster, are you really flipping your hands around, aggressively throwing crumbs and deciding you’re done with it? You make it shine on the outside and leave a mess on the inside? Or do you just sit here and think, “Who is cleaning the toaster?”

Whether you are a toaster newbie or a veteran who doesn’t know how to properly clean this frequently used appliance (my personal situation), join us on this journey to enlightenment in toaster cleaning.

Why is it important to clean your toaster

First, let’s start with a compelling reason to do whatever it takes to clean your toasters, beyond the aesthetics and that noxious burning smell. As you’ve no doubt noticed, toasters don’t have a door! (Not a toaster oven, more on that later.) Because they have no barrier to the outside world, they collect not only crumbs, but dust, and even bugs, and quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria.

They also pose a fire hazard: according to Consumer Reports , toasters and toasters are the fifth leading cause of home fires after refrigerators. So cleaning them regularly not only looks good, but also safer.

How to clean a toaster

Hopefully this is common knowledge, but just in case: to avoid possible accidents, first unplug the appliance from the mains (anything plugged into the toaster when it is on may cause electric shock or fire). And if you’ve recently used it, give it enough time to cool down before cleaning.

Then, if there is a crumb tray underneath, remove it and use an old toothbrush, pastry brush, or bottle brush to remove the debris and empty the contents. (Nice to see that we’re not quite off track with the junkyard.)

If you don’t have a tray, place the toaster over a bin or garbage disposal in the sink and shake vigorously to expel any crumbs. Turn the toaster over in different positions, shaking so that any crusty contents can escape.

Then, if you have a crumb tray, soak it in warm, soapy water to remove stubborn crumbs (dish soap and a degreaser will work best and fastest). If all that’s left is to dress up the slots of the toaster, use a spatula or small pastry brush to further clean the interior. (You can also wipe it down with a cloth dampened with water and vinegar.) Whenever possible, clean both the top and bottom of the toaster to facilitate access to hard-to-reach areas.

Wipe the outside with a damp cloth or an antibacterial shine cloth, vacuum up or vacuum up any remaining crumbs, wipe the tray with a microfiber cloth that won’t catch lint or cloth, and reinsert it into the toaster. …

How to clean a toaster oven

Again, it all starts with a shutdown. Remove the baking sheet and wire rack, which are likely to be covered in dirt and any necessary toast residues. Soak baking sheet and wire rack in warm, soapy water while pouring out the crumbs and shaking as described above.

Most toaster interior surfaces are made of aluminum, so instead of using a harsh oven cleaner that can damage them, make your own solution with two cups of warm water, a few drops of dish soap and 1/2 cup white vinegar. Use a sponge dipped in this liquid (not soaked) to wipe down the interior – and don’t forget the ceiling. To remove particularly stubborn dirt, scrub homemade baking soda and water paste with a toothbrush or melamine sponge.

Use the same cleaning solution you used on the inside to wipe down the outside, then spray with white vinegar to cut through the grease and streaks on the glass door. Carefully check to see if you can remove any knobs and dials to clean them underneath as well. When everything is clean and dry, reassemble the toaster – and enjoy its sparkling cleanliness for a few short minutes until you use it again.

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