How to clean a toaster safely, inside and out
To clean a toaster, unplug it and let it cool completely, slide out the crumb tray and empty it, then turn the toaster upside down over the sink and shake it gently. Loosen what's left with a dry soft brush, wash the crumb tray in warm soapy water, and wipe the outside with a damp cloth. Dry everything before you plug it back in.
Crumbs that sit in the bottom burn every morning.
What do you need?
- A dry pastry brush, soft paintbrush or clean toothbrush
- Microfiber cloths
- Dish soap and warm water
- Baking soda, for stuck-on spots
- White vinegar, for a stainless finish
How do you clean a toaster, step by step?
- Unplug it. Always. Then let it cool all the way.
- Empty the crumb tray. Slide it out, dump it in the trash, and wash it in warm soapy water. Dry it.
- Shake it out. Hold the toaster upside down over the sink or trash and shake gently. Tap the sides.
- Brush the slots. Run a dry soft brush gently down into each slot to loosen what's stuck. Shake again.
- Wipe the outside. A cloth dampened with warm soapy water, wrung out well. Use a toothbrush around the levers and dials.
- Treat sticky spots. Melted plastic bag, jam, butter: a paste of baking soda and water on a soft cloth, then wipe clean.
- Dry and reassemble. Slide the dry crumb tray back in.
What should you never do?
- Never put a knife, fork or anything metal in the slots, even unplugged. It damages the heating elements.
- Never put water inside or put the toaster in the sink.
- Never plug it back in wet.
If the toaster sparks, smells of burning plastic, or the lever won't stay down after cleaning, replace it.
How do you clean a stainless or chrome toaster?
Fingerprints and grease show on shiny toasters. Wipe with a cloth dampened with a little white vinegar in water, or warm soapy water, following the grain on stainless. Buff dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Skip abrasive pads, which scratch. Our chrome guide covers the shine.
How do you clean a toaster oven?
- Unplug it and let it cool.
- Take out the rack, the baking tray and the crumb tray. Soak them in hot soapy water and scrub.
- Wipe the inside walls with a damp cloth. For baked-on spots, a baking soda paste left for 15 minutes, then wiped off. Keep water and paste off the heating elements.
- Clean the glass door inside and out.
- Wipe the outside and let everything dry before plugging it in.
How often should you clean it?
Empty the crumb tray weekly if you toast every day. Do a full shake-out and outside wipe monthly. Wipe up spills on the counter around it after breakfast, which is a line on our kitchen cleaning schedule.
Want help with the kitchen?
Book House Cleaning online. If the small appliances on your counter are a priority, ask about them when you book and put them in your booking notes.
FAQ
How do you clean the inside of a toaster? Unplug it and let it cool. Empty the crumb tray, then turn the toaster upside down over the sink and shake it gently. A dry pastry brush or a soft paintbrush loosens what's left in the slots. Never put water or anything metal inside.
How often should you clean a toaster? Empty the crumb tray once a week if you use it daily, and do a full shake-out and outside wipe about once a month. Built-up crumbs can burn and smoke.
How do you clean a toaster oven? Unplug it and let it cool. Take out the rack, tray and crumb tray and wash them in warm soapy water. Wipe the inside walls with a damp cloth and a little baking soda paste on stuck spots, keeping water away from the heating elements, then dry everything before you plug it back in.
Book a cleaning
Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.
