How to Clean a Toaster

A toaster is a kitchen appliance that works with electricity, so one thing is clear: Water and cleaning agents have no place inside it, otherwise it might not only be your toast that becomes crispy!

Before you start cleaning the toaster, unplug it and let it cool down if it has just been in use.

Many new types of toasters catch breadcrumbs in a separate crumb tray. Empty it out before you start cleaning it. Now you can soak the tray and give it a thorough clean. Dry the drawer and, if possible, only put it back in at the end of the cleaning process.

Now let's get down to it! As delicious as your morning slice of toast tastes, if the toaster has grease spots and crusty bits attached to it, you might have a crumby morning. We don’t want that!

Even if there’s a crumb tray, breadcrumbs tend to get stuck in the housing. If it doesn’t have an integrated drawer, then this might ring true. To get rid of your breakfast leftovers, turn the toaster upside down over the sink or kitchen table and carefully shake out the crumbs. We’d recommend you lay out newspaper or kitchen paper to protect your surfaces and to catch the crumbs. However, if you don’t have any to hand then simply shake the crumbs out in a neat pile on your kitchen surface and afterwards wipe this clean using Jeyes Multi-Purpose Cleaner. We also have an article on how to clean your sink, which might come in handy after cleaning your toaster.

Some crumbs and other residue might be too stubborn, even after standing the toaster on its head. To clean the inside of your toaster, grab a dry paintbrush, pastry brush, or an old toothbrush.

Brush the heating elements in the housing very carefully. They are sensitive and must be cleaned with care. It’s best not to brush too hard, as you might damage the heating element.

Like when you’re cleaning your fridge or other appliances, you will notice that dirt also settles on the outside, especially when an item is in heavy use. It can be anything from grease stains to sticky food residue. 

If you want to clean the housing of the toaster, you should first determine whether it’s made of plastic or stainless steel. What you use to clean the outside of the toaster depends on what it’s made of.

For plastic housings, use a little water plus detergent. For a more delicate stainless-steel casing, you can use a conventional washing up liquid. 

Use a microfiber cloth for cleaning. For a plastic housing, dip the cloth into the water, wipe the surface thoroughly and dry carefully with a second cloth. For a stainless-steel surface, either apply cleaner first and then wipe it down with a wet microfiber cloth or apply the cleaner directly to the cloth for a clean toaster. By the way, you can also use it to clean the bun attachment!