How to Clean a Blender
Most blender smell and residue problems don't actually come from the jar — they come from the blade assembly and the rubber gasket underneath it, two parts that trap food long after the jar itself looks clean. A quick rinse after every use prevents most of this, but it's worth knowing how to take the blade assembly apart (on blenders where it's designed to) and clean it properly every week or two.
The steps below apply to both high-power countertop blenders like the Vitamix 5200 and personal blenders like the NutriBullet Pro 900 — the main difference is how, and whether, the blade assembly comes apart.
The 30-second rinse method (do this every time)
Add a few drops of dish soap and warm water to the jar until it's about a third full, then run the blender on a low or medium speed for 20-30 seconds. The spinning water cleans the blades and lower jar walls without you needing to reach a knife or sponge anywhere near the blade.
Rinse and let the jar air-dry upside down on a dish rack. This single habit handles most daily blending residue and prevents buildup from ever reaching the gasket in the first place.
Deep-cleaning the blade assembly and gasket
Food that makes it past a quick rinse tends to collect in the threads around the blade assembly and in the rubber gasket that seals it to the jar — this is also the most common source of a lingering sour smell, not the jar itself.
On blenders where the blade assembly unscrews from the jar, check your manual, remove it, take out the gasket, and hand-wash both in warm soapy water with a small brush to get into the threads. Dry everything fully before reassembling, since trapped moisture is what lets odor build back up. Some containers, including many Vitamix jars, are permanently sealed and shouldn't be forced apart.
If your blender's blade assembly is sealed and doesn't come apart, run the 30-second rinse method with a splash of white vinegar added every week or two to reach into the threads without disassembly.
What not to submerge
The motor base should never be submerged or rinsed under a faucet — wipe it down with a damp cloth instead. Water getting into the base is one of the more common ways an otherwise fine blender gets killed early.
Check whether your jar is actually dishwasher-safe before running it through a full cycle. Many polycarbonate containers are, but printed markings and control buttons on personal blender cups can fade or degrade in a dishwasher's heat over time even when the plastic itself is rated safe.
Getting rid of a lingering smell
A sour or musty smell that survives a normal wash almost always means the gasket, not the jar, still has trapped residue — pull it out, if it's removable, and wash it separately rather than assuming a bigger scrub of the jar will fix it.
For a stronger clean, blend a cup of warm water with a tablespoon of baking soda or a splash of white vinegar for 30-60 seconds, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Avoid leaving vinegar solutions sitting in the jar for hours, since repeated exposure can degrade rubber gaskets over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I put my blender jar in the dishwasher?
- Many polycarbonate jars are dishwasher-safe, but check your manual first — some personal blender cups have printed markings or seals that degrade in the dishwasher's heat even when the plastic itself is rated safe. When in doubt, hand-wash instead.
- Why does my blender smell even after washing it?
- The smell is almost always trapped in the rubber gasket under the blade assembly, not the jar. If your blender's blade assembly is removable, take it apart and wash the gasket separately — that's usually what a standard wash misses.
- Is it safe to run vinegar through my blender?
- Yes, in moderation — a diluted vinegar-and-water blend run for 30-60 seconds is a normal way to freshen a blender and can help loosen residue in the threads. Avoid leaving straight vinegar sitting in the jar for hours, since repeated exposure can degrade rubber gaskets over time.