You just finished making a delicious batch of coconut chutney, a thick smoothie, or a spicy curry paste. The food was fantastic, but now you are left with the aftermath: a mixer jar with a sharp, multi-pronged blade at the bottom, caked in thick, sticky residue. You try to rinse it, but the water just bounces off. You try to stick your hand in with a sponge, but you risk slicing your fingers. If you are struggling with how to clean the mixer grinder jar blade area properly, the best direct answer is to use the “Self-Cleaning Pulse” method immediately after use, followed by a deep scrub with crushed eggshells or a baking soda soak to remove hidden gunk. In this guide, I will show you how to sanitize that tricky space under the blade without hurting your hands or damaging the appliance.
As a Life Solutions expert, I see the mixer grinder as the workhorse of the kitchen. Whether you are in India grinding idli batter or in the US making green juices, this machine sees a lot of action. However, it is also the most neglected item when it comes to hygiene. I have inspected jars that looked clean on the surface but had a layer of black mold growing under the rubber gasket or beneath the blade assembly. This isn’t just gross; it’s a health hazard. Over the last four years at Preposts.com, I have developed a routine that keeps these jars sparkling and smelling fresh, extending the life of the motor and the sharpness of the blades.
Table of Contents
- The Danger Zone: Why the Blade Area is So Hard to Clean
- Method 1: The “Self-Cleaning” Pulse (The Daily Habit)
- Method 2: The Crushed Eggshell Hack (For Stuck-On Food)
- Method 3: The Baking Soda & Vinegar Soak (For Odors and Stains)
- Method 4: The Deep Clean (Disassembling the Blade)
- Method 5: Sanitizing the Rubber Gasket
- Lubrication: Keep it Spinning Smoothly
- What NOT To Do
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
The Danger Zone: Why the Blade Area is So Hard to Clean
The design of a mixer jar creates a perfect trap for bacteria. The blades are often positioned very close to the base, creating a tiny gap where sponge fibers cannot reach. When you blend thick liquids, centrifugal force pushes the food under the blade assembly and into the threads of the coupler.
If this food residue is left to dry, it hardens like cement. Moisture trapped in the rubber gasket then breeds mold, leading to that funky, stale smell that ruins the flavor of your next dish. We need to attack this with a combination of agitation, abrasion, and chemical breakdown.
Method 1: The “Self-Cleaning” Pulse (The Daily Habit)
This is the preventative measure that you should do 30 seconds after you empty the jar. It utilizes the motor’s power to clean itself.
The Process
1. The Rinse: Immediately rinse out the bulk of the food with running water. Do not let it dry.
2. The Fill: Fill the jar about 1/3 full with warm water. Do not use boiling water, as it can damage the plastic jar or the rubber gasket seals.
3. The Soap: Add just one or two drops of liquid dish soap. If you add too much, you will have a foam explosion in your kitchen.
4. The Pulse: Secure the lid tightly. Place the jar on the motor base. Pulse the mixer on “High” for 10 to 15 seconds. The spinning blade creates a violent whirlpool that forces soapy water into every crevice, under the blade, and up the walls.
5. The Rinse: Dump the soapy water and rinse with fresh water. The jar should be 90% clean.
Method 2: The Crushed Eggshell Hack (For Stuck-On Food)
If you forgot to clean the jar and the food has dried, or if you made something sticky like nut butter, soap water won’t be enough. You need an abrasive. But since you can’t reach in with steel wool, we use eggshells.
Why it Works
Eggshells are hard enough to scrape food off metal and plastic, but soft enough that they won’t dull your blades or scratch the jar. It is nature’s scouring pad.
Step-by-Step
1. Collect Shells: Save the shells from 2 or 3 eggs. (If you just followed my guide on how to make perfect hard-boiled eggs every time, you have plenty of shells ready to go).
2. The Mix: Throw the crushed shells into the dirty jar. Add 1/2 cup of water. You don’t want too much water; you want a thick, sludgy consistency.
3. The Grind: Run the mixer for 30 seconds. The shells will be pulverized, scrubbing the underside of the blades and the jar walls as they spin.
4. Rinse: Dump the shell mixture into the trash (or compost) and rinse. Your blades will shine.
Method 3: The Baking Soda & Vinegar Soak (For Odors and Stains)
If your mixer jar smells like yesterday’s garlic paste even after washing, or if turmeric has stained the plastic yellow, you need chemistry. This is the same powerful reaction we use for stubborn cookware.
Just as we tackle heavy grease in our guide on how to clean burnt pans easily, we can use the fizzing action of baking soda to lift microscopic food particles from the microscopic pores of the mixer blade assembly.
The Recipe
- 2 tablespoons Baking Soda
- 1/2 cup White Vinegar
- Warm water to fill the jar halfway
The Instructions
1. Combine: Put the baking soda in the jar. Pour in the vinegar. Enjoy the fizz.
2. Wait: Let the bubbles settle, then add the warm water.
3. Soak: Let this sit for 30 to 60 minutes. The baking soda absorbs the odors, and the vinegar breaks down mineral deposits and stains.
4. Scrub: Use an old toothbrush (dedicated for cleaning) to lightly scrub around the blade shaft. The bristles can reach where your fingers can’t.
Method 4: The Deep Clean (Disassembling the Blade)
Once a month, you should take the assembly apart. Many people do not realize that the blade unit unscrews from the jar.
Warning: Consult your manual first. Some jars are molded as one piece, but most high-quality steel jars have a removable base.
How to Remove the Blade
1. The Coupler: Turn the jar upside down. You will see a plastic coupler (the wheel that connects to the motor).
2. The Grip: Hold the blade inside the jar with a thick towel (to protect your hand). With your other hand, turn the plastic coupler.
Crucial Tip: Most mixer couplers have Reverse Threads (Left-Hand Threads). This means you turn it “Right” (Clockwise) to loosen it, and “Left” (Counter-Clockwise) to tighten it. This prevents the blade from unscrewing itself while the motor spins.
3. The Wash: Once the coupler is off, the blade will push out into the jar. You will see washers and a rubber gasket. Separate them all. You will likely find black gunk hidden between the washers.
4. Clean and Dry: Wash all parts with soapy water and a brush. Let them dry completely. Moisture trapped here causes rust. If you find rust on the metal shaft, refer to natural ways to remove rust from tools to clean the shaft before reassembly.
5. Reassemble: Put the washers back in the exact order you found them. Tighten the coupler (remember, turn Left to tighten).
Method 5: Sanitizing the Rubber Gasket
The rubber ring in the lid and the base is a mold magnet. If you see black spots on the rubber, simple soap won’t kill it.
Remove the gasket carefully with a dull knife. Soak it in a bowl of 50% water and 50% vinegar for an hour. If the mold persists, scrub it with a paste of baking soda. Let it air dry completely in the sun before putting it back. Sunlight is a natural disinfectant.
Lubrication: Keep it Spinning Smoothly
After a deep clean, the blade shaft might feel dry. Friction generates heat, which can burn out your motor or melt the plastic jar base.
Before reassembling, apply two drops of food-grade mineral oil or coconut oil to the blade shaft. Spin it by hand to distribute the oil. This ensures the blade rotates freely and reduces noise.
What NOT To Do
1. Do Not Soak the Base
Never submerge the bottom part of the jar (the coupler mechanism) in water for long periods. Water can enter the bearing housing, washing away the factory grease and causing the bearings to seize up (jam).
2. Do Not Use Steel Wool
Steel wool is too harsh. It creates micro-scratches on the plastic jar and the steel blade. Bacteria loves to hide in scratches. Stick to the eggshell or baking soda methods.
3. Do Not Use a Dishwasher
Unless your jar specifically says “Dishwasher Safe,” do not do it. The high heat of the dishwasher can warp the plastic jar and brittle the rubber gaskets, causing leaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sharpen the blades?
You can use rock salt (coarse sea salt). Put a cup of dry rock salt in the jar and run it on high for a minute. The hard salt crystals act like a grinding stone, honing the edges of the blade slightly.
The blade is stuck and won’t spin. How do I fix it?
This happens when food leaks into the bearing and dries. Pour a little warm oil (coconut or vegetable) into the blade shaft area inside the jar. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Then, try to turn the coupler underneath by hand (using a towel). Work it back and forth until it loosens.
My jar is cloudy. How do I make it clear again?
Plastic jars get cloudy due to micro-scratches from grinding spices. Unfortunately, you cannot polish the inside of a food jar with chemicals. The vinegar soak helps remove mineral deposits, but scratches are permanent.
Conclusion
A clean mixer grinder is the secret to fresh, healthy food. You don’t want the residue of yesterday’s ginger-garlic paste ruining today’s fruit smoothie.
By adopting the “Pulse Wash” habit every day and doing a “Deep Dissassembly” once a month, you ensure your appliance runs efficiently and your food stays safe. It takes only a few minutes, but it adds years to the life of your kitchen’s most important tool.