3 min readIf your go-to breakfast includes a bagel, sliced bread, or English muffin, it’s safe to say a toaster is probably a workhorse in your kitchen. Considering how frequently you use your appliance, crumbs and grease are bound to build up inside over time. Don’t overlook them, though. If left alone, they can pose a fire hazard, create a burning smell, and even attract pests to your cooking space.
That’s why it’s best to know exactly how to clean a toaster. Simple supplies like an all-purpose cleaner and sponge are all you need to keep your toaster in good shape. And at least once a week, be sure to check the appliance and empty the crumb tray, says Carolyn Forte, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab.
Never use a toaster with damaged cords, or frayed or exposed wires. For your safety, avoid secondhand appliances that might have unknown defects.
How to Clean a Toaster
Grab these simple supplies and follow these easy steps to keep your toaster in good condition.
What You’ll Need
Instructions
- Unplug the toaster and hold it over the trash can. (This can get messy.)
- Slide out the crumb tray and dump the contents.
- Give the toaster a shake to dislodge any bits stuck inside. Then turn it upside down and shake again to remove any large pieces that didn’t fall through the bottom.
- Knock off remaining crumbs with a small pastry brush or spatula.
- Clean the crumb tray with a damp sponge or cloth or if it’s removable, wash it in warm, sudsy water. Then rinse, dry, and reinsert it.
- Wipe the exterior with a little all-purpose cleaner spritzed on a damp cloth or sponge. Pay close attention to the knobs, lever, and any crevices around the top slots where grease and crumbs accumulate. Wipe again with a damp sponge or cloth and buff dry.
- Polish any stainless steel with an appliance stainless steel cleaner like Weiman to keep it looking its best.
How to Clean a Toaster Oven
Whether you want to air-fry chicken or reheat pizza, a toaster oven can do it all. However, since it has more intensive cooking and additional internal parts than a basic toaster, a few extra steps are required to prevent build-up. Here’s how to make it sparkle again after a few uses:
What You’ll Need
Instructions
- Unplug the toaster oven.
- Shake out crumbs or other food particles into the trash.
- Wash removable parts like the rack, pans, and crumb tray in warm, sudsy water and use a non-abrasive scrubbing sponge to remove gunk. Rinse and let air dry.
- Clean the interior by spraying a sponge with all-purpose cleaner and wiping, but avoid the heating elements inside.
- Wipe the exterior. For stainless steel, we recommend Weiman 3-in-1 Spray. For glass doors, you can use a glass cleaner like Invisible Glass.
- Allow to dry completely (at least five minutes) before plugging it back in.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.”
Caroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She’s a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.