Yup, you read that right – you need to clean your toaster. And no, not just emptying the crumb tray and calling it a day. Your toaster can get grimy and gross and will need a proper cleaning every once in a while, especially if you want it to work properly!
Here’s how to clean your toaster properly and safely.
Also see: How to clean your air fryer
What you need
- Water
- Baking soda
- Sunlight liquid soap
- Sponge
- Some white vinegar
- Cloths and sponges
- A soft bristle brush.
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How to clean your toaster safely
Yes, your toaster is pretty harmless to everything except bread, but you could still shock yourself if you’re not careful. The first thing you’ll need to do is unplug your toaster and make sure that it’s nice and cool.
Step 1: Get rid of the crumbs.
Once unplugged, you can remove any stray crumbs by removing the crumb tray and emptying them. This little tray or rack is usually at the bottom of your toaster and can be filled with dry breadcrumbs. Shake it out.
Now you can turn over your toaster and shake it vigorously over the sink or dustbin.
Step 2: Scrub-a-dub
Now you can go ahead and begin cleaning the inside of your toaster. You can use a damp cloth with some dish soap, and wipe the elements on the inside. Reach some of the more difficult spots using a soft toothbrush.
A baking soda paste can help get rid of the grubby, more difficult spots. Alternatively, you can use some white vinegar!
Step 3: Clean out trays.
While you’re waiting for your toaster to dry out, you can scrub and clean your crumb trays. You can easily clean them by letting them soak in the sink with warm water with dish soap. While you might be tempted to scrub these components, don’t. You could damage the finish.
Rinse all the soap and let them dry out.
Step 4: Wipe down
Now you can wipe down the outside surface of your toaster and the power cord. A mild surface cleaner or diluted white vinegar will work just right! If you spot any grime around the buttons of your toaster, use a toothpick or a cotton swap to get into those tricky crevices.
Step 5: Done and dusted.
If you want, you can polish your toaster so that it can look brand new! But now’s the time to let your toaster air out. After a few hours, put everything back together!
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Why should you clean your toaster?
- Keeps it running properly.
- Reduces crumb build-up that can burn your toast.
- Dirty toasters are fire hazards.
- Crumbs or other foodstuffs get stuck in your toaster, which can lead to mould and other bacteria.
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Featured Image: Pexels
