How to clean a toaster

Content

Method 2 of 3: Cleaning the rest of the toaster
Method 3 of 3: Keep the toaster clean
Tips
Warnings
What do you need

1 Unplug the power plug and place the toaster on a work surface. It is very important to unplug the toaster before cleaning to avoid electric shock. Then place the toaster on a wide, flat surface such as a table or bar. Cover your work surface with newspaper to help pick up the crumbs.

2 Remove the crumb tray. Most toasters come with a removable tray called the crumb tray. Removing the tray is usually easy enough, but if you are having trouble, refer to your toaster's instruction manual.

3 Shake out the tray. Turn it upside down. Shake well to remove any crumbs, dirt, dust, or broken pieces of bread.

You can shake the crumbs out of the tray onto pre-spread newspaper. But it's best to do it right above the bin to get rid of the crumbs immediately.

4 Rinse the crumb tray in warm, soapy water. Wash the tray clean in the sink using warm water and a non-abrasive liquid soap. Wash it in the same way as you do with the rest of the dishes. Carefully remove any adhering crumbs or stains, then set the tray aside to dry.

5 Cleaning the non-removable crumb tray. If your model of toaster cannot remove the crumb tray, simply turn the toaster upside down. Shake it gently several times over a newspaper or trash can. Most loose crumbs can be removed this way.

Method 2 of 3: Cleaning the rest of the toaster

1 Brush off crumbs from the inside of the toaster. Use a pastry brush or clean toothbrush to clean the heating element inside the toaster. Use them to get rid of any crumbs stuck between the heater filaments. Swipe the crumbs along the nichrome spiral.
- It is best to turn the toaster upside down after removing the crumbs from the insides, and then shake it well again.
2 Wipe the grooves inside the toaster. Soak a little vinegar on your toothbrush. Use it to thoroughly clean the heating element mesh, removing any adhering crumbs, dirt, and remnants of bread slices.
- The toothbrush should only be slightly damp. If you soak it too much in vinegar, puddles of dirty water can accumulate at the bottom of the toaster.
3 Cleaning the outside of the toaster. Dip a rag in the vinegar. Use it to clean the sides of the toaster. Use baking soda to gently wipe away stubborn stains. To avoid scratching the surface of the toaster, use a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth.

Method 3 of 3: Keep the toaster clean

1 Clean your toaster thoroughly once a month. Deep clean your toaster about once a month. Empty the crumb tray and use vinegar to rub the inside and outside of the toaster. This will avoid the accumulation of large amounts of crumbs and other debris inside.
2 Shake out the crumbs once a week. Take out the crumb tray once a week and shake it out over the trash can. If the tray is not removable, simply turn the toaster upside down and empty the contents over the bin.
3 Wipe down the outside of the toaster every day. When cleaning your kitchen every day, do not neglect the toaster. Wipe it with a damp cloth moistened with vinegar or water. This will prevent a lot of dirt from accumulating on the outside of the toaster.

Tips

Some toasters show more dirt, fingerprints and splashes on their surfaces than others. Consider this when buying a toaster; for example, a stainless steel toaster will need to be polished more often to maintain its shine and remove fingerprints than an opaque plastic toaster.

Warnings

Only clean the cooled toaster.
Only plug the toaster with dry hands.
Never insert a knife into the toaster. If the toaster is plugged into a power outlet, you can get an electric shock.
Do not under any circumstances immerse the toaster in water.