How To Clean A Vitamix
If you’re not sure How To Clean a Vitamix, don’t worry. We’ll show you how to do it quickly and easily in this post. Let’s get started!
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that I earn a commission on some purchases when you click on links in this post. This occurs at no additional charge to you. There may be additional affiliate links, not belonging to Amazon, in this post also.
Thank you for your support!
Vitamix blenders are renowned for their power and durability, so with proper care and cleaning, they can last a long time.
Providing years of healthy eating and delicious smoothies, even grinding your coffee! Here’s how to get the most out of your Vitamix by keeping it clean.
Preparing to Clean Your Vitamix
Gather the Necessary Supplies
Before starting any project, it’s important to have all the necessary materials on hand.
For cleaning your Vitamix, you’ll need a soft cloth or sponge, vegetable-based detergent or soap (such as dish soap), baking soda, and white vinegar.
Unplug the Vitamix
Before beginning any cleaning process on your Vitamix blender, make sure to unplug it from the wall outlet to avoid any potential electric shocks.
Wipe Down the Exterior
Using a damp towel or soft cloth, wipe down the outside of the Vitamix to remove any dirt or dust that has collected on it over time.
Be careful not to get any water on the base of your Vitamix, and make sure to dry off excess moisture with a dry cloth afterward.
Empty the Container
Discard any remaining contents in the container as well as all removable parts (such as the lid.)
Clean Thoroughly
If dust has accumulated around either blade unit within the jar, use some canned air or a soft brush attachment for your vacuum cleaner to gently clear away this buildup for both pieces at once.
In addition to keeping things hygienic, this will help make blending smoother! Make sure not to overdo this step, as excessive force might damage the blades’ sharp edges.
Remove all detachable parts from the blender, such as lids – basically anything that can be taken out – and hand-wash them with warm soapy water and a sponge or brush for deeper cleaning.
To help remove food particles stuck on the blades, use baking soda mixed with water in a cleaning solution before scrubbing them with a hard brush or toothpick.
Clean Out Jar & Blades
After rinsing out the container, dispose of any remaining liquid while using a damp cloth or sponge soaked in soapy water if necessary for more stubborn spots.
Then rinse under cold water before drying off, ideally with paper towels or lint free cloth.
Cleaning the Lid, Cap & Blade Assembly
Like most kitchen gadgets, your Vitamix blender needs special care to keep it functioning optimally.
If it is not properly cleaned and maintained, you will begin to notice chunks of food and gunky residue left in the container.
Fortunately, cleaning the lid, cap, and blade assembly of your Vitamix blender container doesn’t have to be difficult—the process can be broken down into several simple steps.
Remove and Disassemble the Lid, Cap, and Blade Assembly
The first step to cleaning your Vitamix lid is to remove it from the blender container.
Turn the handle so that it faces straight back toward you, and lift off the lid by pulling forward with two hands.
Clean Each Piece Separately
Once each piece has been separated, it’s time to start cleaning them on their own.
The cap piece can usually be hand washed or placed in a dishwasher if it needs extra help with removing any stuck-on grime.
For both pieces of plastic surrounding the blades, we recommend using warm water mixed with a mild detergent or liquid soap, then wiping up excess water after rinsing clean with a dry cloth or paper towel.
For deeper tough stains, use a soft brush in circular motions until they are out completely gone – just make sure not to apply too much pressure!
As for metal surfaces like those found on stainless steel blades themselves, an old toothbrush can also come in handy when scrubbing away caked-on debris before wiping clean with either a damp washcloth or a warm water/soap mixture, followed by drying it off thoroughly afterward.
Reassemble and Put Back Together
Now that all three pieces have been thoroughly cleaned separately, reassembly can commence!
Line up each of these components (lid, cap, and blade assembly) so that they fit snugly together before replacing them into their original spots inside your Vitamix blender container.
This should take no more than five minutes, depending on how long dirt had accumulated during usage previously. Make sure none of these items are loose or unsteady since that could cause leakage during operation!
Finally, when everything looks good visually, double-check all surfaces again (including under those blades we mentioned earlier).
Just make sure there was no residue that didn’t get picked up during cleanup earlier. Enjoy your Vitamix blender, knowing it’s running smoothly, thanks to the great maintenance that we covered here today!
Fill Vitamix Container Halfway With Water & Vinegar
Fill the blender halfway with warm water and add two tablespoons of white vinegar into it.
Then place the lid back on securely before pulsing for about 30 seconds until everything is mixed together well.
Let sit for 10 minutes before rinsing out thoroughly under running tap water afterward. You may need to repeat this step multiple times after each rinse cycle is complete.
Once disassembled, use warm water and a degreasing detergent or soap (or even some baking soda) to clean off excess grease and grime in each part of the Vitamix.
Scrub gently but firmly in order to ensure a thorough cleaning without damaging delicate surfaces.
Rinse each component after scrubbing it well before moving on to the next one.
Right before reassembling your Vitamix, dip all metal parts into a mixture of vinegar and water – this will finish off by giving your machine a sparkly clean finish!
Finalize Cleaning Process
Finally, if possible, run your blender at low speed for 1 minute, throwing in some cold water during the cycle.
This will help shake off any remaining dirt residue stuck inside the outer case while powering the blade, which can wear down food deposits embedded within internal walls over time!
Open the lid carefully once done, turn off the unit immediately, unplugging from the wall socket afterward –now we’re ready to enjoy freshly blended smoothies again!
Dry Thoroughly
To ensure that no water remains inside the base of your blender container, make sure to dry it thoroughly by using a dry cloth after washing it by hand.
Clean Around The Base
The blender base isn’t something you can submerge into water but rather just wipe down with a warm damp cloth or sponge while also making sure no other liquids come in contact with its sensitive electrical components like buttons/knobs/control pits etc.
Reassemble Your Blender
Reassemble and Test! Once everything else is clean, reassemble all of your components back together, then test out your freshly cleaned machine with some liquid of choice (water works best for testing) – if it runs smoothly, then you’re good to go!
Once all components have been cleaned and rinsed properly, put everything back together by following your user’s manual instructions.
Make sure to tighten nuts correctly using the provided tools so that no part is left too loosely fitted; if needed, lubricate blades with manufacturer-approved lubricants before putting the lid back on top securely!
Afterward, plug the unit into an electrical outlet – not only will this make sure everything is functioning properly, but power can also help get out any hidden food particles left behind during the assembly process too!
Maintaining Your Vitamix
Clean After Each Use
To get the most out of the Vitamix Blender Container, it’s essential that you clean it after each use.
Fill the container with warm water and a few drops of detergent and blend it for 10-15 seconds to create a soapy solution.
Scrub with a brush or other nonabrasive cleaner, rinse, then dry with a clean paper towel or cloth.
Do Not Put it in the Dishwasher
The Vitamix Blender Container should not be put in the dishwasher as it may damage parts or electrical components. Stick with hand washing only to prevent any potential problems.
Clean Hard-to-Reach Areas
For deep cleaning, remove stubborn residue by soaking your blender container overnight in warm soapy water — put a tablespoon of baking soda into the water for an extra boost of cleaning power — and scrub gently with a brush if necessary. Remember to rinse well afterward before drying with a soft cloth or towel.
Use Vinegar Solution Once A Month
For maximum hygiene, it’s also important to give your blender container (and lid) an occasional vinegar bath using equal parts white vinegar and warm water (3 cups).
Rinse well afterward, then dry thoroughly before putting back together. Doing this once every month can help keep your machine running smoothly while inhibiting bacteria growth in hard-to-reach areas.
Quick tips
Get your Vitamix sparkling like new again with these simple tips on how to clean it! Learn the best and safest way to keep your Vitamix running smoothly.
1. Add 2 cups of warm water and one drop of dish soap to the container.
2. Securely attach the lid and select the Hot Soup program on a Vitamix Ascent™ Series machine, or blend on High for 5 minutes on machines with a Variable Speed Control dial.
3. Push the kale and banana against the blades if needed during blending with a Tamper.
4. Unplug the machine after blending, keeping hands and utensils away from moving blades inside the container.
5. Rinse out any remaining detergent by adding 1 cup of warm water to the container and blend on Low for 15 seconds (or rinse through the lid plug opening).
6. Run one more cycle on High with 2 cups of warm water only to ensure the container is clean, then discard the remaining liquid in the sink.
7. Towel dry the outside surface of both bowl and lid before storing; a dry cloth can also be used to remove moisture between machine venting holes as needed (optional).
Maintaining Your Vitamix for Future use
Your Vitamix is a powerful, modern kitchen appliance that can help you prepare meals faster and better than ever before.
But like all kitchen tools, it requires regular maintenance to ensure it keeps working optimally for long-term use. Here are some tips for maintaining your Vitamix for future use:
Clean the Container After Each Use
It’s important to clean the container after every use. This is particularly important if you use warm ingredients in your blend because residual heat can cause ingredients to stick to the sides of the container.
To avoid this, fill the container with hot water and a few drops of detergent, then blend on high speed until it’s completely clean. Rinse out any remaining residue with more hot water until it’s sparkling clean!
Wash Accessories by Hand
Most Vitamix accessories (including pitchers/carafes, tamper/plunger extension sticks, and blades) should be washed by hand using hot soapy water or put in the dishwasher.
If you have an older model Vitamix machine, always check the user manual first, as some accessories may not be suitable for dishwashing.
It’s also advisable to regularly inspect all parts for signs of rust or wear and tear – if you spot any, it’s best to replace them immediately.
Air Dry Parts Before Reassembling
After cleaning any part of your Vitamix blender (such as lids, attachments, and blades), make sure they are completely dry before reassembling them into place.
Leaving moisture on the parts can increase oxidation and lead to corrosion over time – which could reduce the lifespan of your blender significantly.
So take a few extra minutes air drying each component thoroughly before putting them back together again!
Clean Hard-to-Reach Areas Regularly
It’s important to keep hard-to-reach areas such as locking rings and seals free from dirt and debris – otherwise, food particles may become lodged in those crevices leading to poor performance down the line.
To prevent this from happening, periodically clean these areas with a soft cloth dampened in hot soapy water or white vinegar solution (for tougher grime).
Store Your Blender Properly After Use
After each use, it is important that you store your Vitamix correctly: always unplug the machine when finished blending; separate components such as cups/attachments.
Wrap the cord around the blender base (be sure not to coil too tightly.)
Lock the blade/lid connections; empty jar/pitcher of liquids.
Wipe lid lip between top container edge with damp cloth.
Fold tamper cover over lid edges. Then stow away safely until next use!
Sanitizing Your Vitamix
Have you recently been looking up recipes and seeing how many people are using their Vitamix? And if so, did you take a minute to think about the cleanliness of your blender?
Cleaning and sanitizing your Vitamix will keep it working as best for as long as possible. Let’s discuss a few tips to make sanitizing your Vitamix a breeze.
Clean With Vinegar
If you don’t want to use bleach or other chemical cleaners because of the smell, fear not — vinegar works great for cleaning the outside of the blender container and blade housing.
Wash it well with hot soapy water first and let it dry before applying a vinegar solution (use one part white vinegar, two parts water).
Allow the liquid to sit on these surfaces for several minutes before wiping off gently with a paper towel or microfiber cloth.
Rinse everything thoroughly when done — no need to rinse off the vinegar unless you can still smell it strongly once drying is complete.
Manual Cleaning Cycle Option
If your Vitamix has a manual setting specifically designed for cleaning, you can use it instead of the simple procedure described above — fill the pitcher up halfway with warm water and add in some mild dish soap.
Place the lid securely onto the container and select the “Pulse” button until the desired sudsiness is achieved.
Then blend on the high-speed setting for 60 seconds while keeping the lid on fully while blending (to avoid any leakages).
Lastly, turn off the blender and allow the mixture inside the container to sit untouched for 10 minutes before rinsing out completely.
Keep It Dry
Once all components have been dried—particularly after manual cleaning cycles—take time to ensure that all surrounding areas are dry, too.
The bottom base may need special attention here due to its open sides where moisture/water can easily accumulate over time if left unchecked!
Additionally, also make sure the unit stays away from steam/damp environments when possible; otherwise, any remaining liquid can start corroding internal plastic/metal parts or cause short-circuiting hazards (if electronics come into contact with water.)
Final Thoughts
If you’re an avid smoothie-lover, then you probably already know how useful a Vitamix blender is. Whether you are making smoothies, soups, or other puréed dishes, a Vitamix is an important tool in your kitchen.
But, like any kitchen appliance, you need to clean it regularly if you want to keep it running at its best.
I hope you found this information on How to Clean a Vitamix helpful! And I hope it will make your time in the kitchen a little easier and more efficient.
one last thing…
I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below! If you loved this article, I would love it if you gave it 5 stars!
Also, let me know what you think of it by tagging me @_thecultivationofcozy_ on Instagram or at The Cultivation of Cozy on Facebook!
Snap a photo and use the hashtag #thecultivationofcozy to join in the community! I can’t wait to see it!