The humble toaster is a staple in any home and is used most days, whether that's for breakfast, lunch or dinner (and the odd snack). So, if your kitchen toaster is not working as effectively as it was before, it may need cleaning. Learning how to clean a toaster is important because a build up of crumbs and food could cause unpleasant odours as they start to burn and even potentially lead to a fire.
It may seem like a challenge, but cleaning your toaster is easier than it seems. All you need to do is follow these simple steps (which may very slightly, depending on the type of toaster you have). Most of these techniques should work on a range of devices including smart toasters, but we have also included a section on toaster ovens as well.
How to clean a toaster
You will need to do some basic disassembly later, but first it's time to grab all of your equipment and make sure you have it all to hand. We recommend creating a cleaning solution out of washing up liquid and water.
Equipment you will need:
**•**Washing up liquid
**•**Sponge
**•**Pastry brush or any small brush
**•**Microfibre cloth
**•**White vinegar
How to clean the inside of a toaster
1. Before you do anything, you need to make sure you unplug your toaster from the mains - not just turn it off at the wall. It should be cool before you follow the next steps.
2. Move it near to the sink or a surface that you don't mind getting messy and then remove the crumb tray and empty it into the bin (some models - especially 4 slice toasters - may be heavy, so bear this in mind). If your toaster doesn't have a crumb tray, tipping it upside down should remove any trapped food.
3. Wash the crumb tray by hand using some warm water and washing up liquid. Dry it with a tea towel and put it to one side.
4. If there are still crumbs that are stuck inside your toaster, grab your brush and wipe them away, as if you are dusting. Work systematically, starting at the top and moving down to the bottom. If you have other things such as cheese stuck inside your toaster, let it solidify first and then work with a spatula to scrape it off.
How to clean the outside of a toaster
Once you've cleaned the interior, you'll want to give the interior a freshen up to get rid of any fingerprints, grease and dust.
1. Again, make sure your toaster is unplugged and that the fully dried crumb tray has been put back into its slot.
2. Wet a sponge with warm water and add one or two drops of washing up liquid to it, then wring out the excess liquid.
3. Wipe the sides of the toaster, including any buttons, knobs, handles, doors or switches it may have.
4. Leave your toaster to sit for around 5 minutes if it's particularly soiled; this will help to remove stubborn grime.
5. Use a clean damp cloth to wipe away the soap and loosened debris,
6. Use a microfibre cloth to dry the toaster or leave it (unplugged) to air dry.
Top-tip: If you're wondering how to clean a stainless steel toaster, use some white vinegar to remove grease and handprints with ease; it'll create a bright shine.
How to clean a toaster oven
If you have a toaster oven, these kitchen appliances understandably have a few more steps you should follow.
Equipment you will need:
**•**Washing up liquid
**•**Bicarbonate of soda
**•**Sponge
**•**Pastry brush or any small brush
**•**Microfibre cloth
1. Leave it to completely cool down after use and then unplug your toaster oven. Whilst it is cooling down, you can create your own homemade cleaning product which is just bicarbonate of soda mixed with a little bit of water until it forms a paste-like consistency.
2. Use some warm soapy water to clean the removable parts such as racks and trays. You can also pop them into the dishwasher if your models instructions say that it is safe do so. If the food is adamantly stuck onto the trays, suck them for a least 30 minutes or so until it loosens up a bit, as this will make it easier to detach.
3. If there's a lot of crumbs, you can gently tip it upside down to get rid of them. Or, use your pastry brush to sweep them away.
4. Just like other toasters, wipe down the sides with a soft microfibre cloth. Give any levers, knobs, handles or buttons extra care, as these are the places which could be easy to overlook.
5. For the interior, you're going to need a sponge and your pre-made cleaning paste (baking soda and water). We don't recommend using an abrasive sponge as it could create scratches and cause damage to your machine. Make sure that the heating elements don't get overly wet.
6. Your baking soda paste can also be used to clean debris and baked-on food from the glass door. Use a sponge first, then a damp cloth to remove the excess.
7. Finally it's time to dry everything with a clean microfibre cloth. Ensure that the parts you removed earlier are thoroughly dried before going back into the toaster oven.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother & Baby and Yours. She enjoys reading, creative writing, spending time with her pets and cooking for her friends and family.