How to Clean a Toaster and Toaster Oven

• Always unplug and cool your toaster before cleaning to avoid burns, shocks or dangerous fumes.
• Remove crumbs regularly and wipe inside and outside to prevent buildup, pests and fire hazards.
• Deep clean once a month using soapy water, vinegar or a baking soda paste for best performance and taste.

Toasters are one of the most frequently used small kitchen appliances, which means that they tend to get dirty quickly. With crumbs tucked out of sight, it’s easy to forget that they actually do need to be cleaned often to prevent grime build-up, pests and potential fire hazards. Keeping up with regular maintenance also improves performance and taste (burnt odors can penetrate foods). EatingWell tapped a cleaning expert for tips on how to clean toasters, so you can maintain yours like a pro.

How to Clean a Pop-Up Toaster

Step 1

Unplug the toaster and make sure that it is completely cool before beginning. Electricity can pose serious fire and shock hazards, and heat can cause burns or make chemicals in cleaning products vaporize into toxic fumes, possibly igniting or damaging the appliance. And it’s crucial that you never submerge any type of toaster in water or any other liquid.

Once you’ve taken those precautions, begin by removing the crumb tray and shaking it over the trash or sink, letting it soak in warm, soapy water to loosen stuck-on residue. Then turn the entire toaster upside down and give it a gentle shake over the sink or trash to remove loose debris. “I recommend using a dry toothbrush or a small crevice brush to sweep along the inside walls for anything that didn’t fall out,” says Kaylie Hill, Scotch-Brite ambassador and cleaning influencer.

Pro Tip: Tape a straw to the end of a vacuum hose. This will create a small enough tool to vacuum inside the tight corners and suction out more crumbs.

Step 2

Next, dip a dish sponge or microfiber cloth in soapy water to tackle the exterior, advises Hill. A scratch-free sponge will help prevent damage to toaster surfaces, while a degreasing dish soap cuts through buildup more quickly. Simply wipe all exterior surfaces, rinsing the sponge and repeating as necessary, then finish with a dry cloth.

Pro Tip: To remove rust from stainless-steel surfaces, sprinkle on Bar Keepers Friend and rub gently with a microfiber cloth or soft sponge.

How to Clean a Toaster Oven

Step 1

As with pop-up toasters, it’s important to unplug your toaster oven and allow it to cool completely before beginning the cleaning process.

“When cleaning my toaster oven, I always start by removing the tray and racks and letting them soak in warm, soapy water,” explains Hill. “I use a cloth to wipe away loose crumbs and debris from the inside of the toaster oven, then grab a damp sponge with a little dish soap to scrub inside the oven, including the glass.” A non-abrasive cleanser can help remove stuck-on grime. Finish by wiping the interior with a clean, damp cloth.

Pro Tip: Fill an oven-safe dish with a 1:1 mixture of water and white vinegar, then place it inside the toaster oven and turn the heat on low (approximately 212°F); the steam will loosen grease and grime. Remove the dish after 20 to 30 minutes and allow the toaster oven to cool completely before proceeding.

Step 2

Gently scrub the toaster oven exterior with a soft sponge and warm, soapy water, then wipe down all surfaces with a microfiber cloth. A small scrub brush or toothbrush is useful for cleaning hard-to-reach areas, such as vents and behind knobs. Finally, clean the door with a microfiber cloth and glass cleaner for a streak-free finish.

Pro Tip: Use a stainless-steel cleaner to restore shine to stainless-steel surfaces.

Step 3

Be sure to scrub the racks and trays after they’re done soaking to remove any excess grime before drying them thoroughly with a microfiber cloth and putting them back into the toaster oven, says Hill.

Pro Tip: To remove baked-on grease from racks and trays, apply a paste made from baking soda and water and let it sit overnight before scrubbing with a sponge.

How Often Should Toasters Be Cleaned?

Toasters take a beating in the kitchen, so maintaining a regular cleaning routine can help keep them looking and performing their best, as well as eliminating safety hazards. For best results, aim for touchups every few days and a deep cleaning at least once per month.

Tips for Keeping Toasters Clean

Taking small steps to keep your toaster clean, like the ones below, will make deep cleaning less of a chore. 

• Regularly empty crumb trays by sliding them out and shaking loose debris into the trash or sink.
• Wipe down exteriors (including knobs and levers) every few days to prevent dust and grease buildup.
• Consider using reusable oven liners for easier, quicker cleanup. The heat-resistant, nonstick surface is designed to catch spills, crumbs and debris, and most are dishwasher-safe.
• Keep plastic materials (like food storage containers and wrapped loaves of bread) away from toasters, as they may melt and stick to the exterior or cause a safety hazard.

The Bottom Line

Toasters are kitchen workhorses that tend to get forgotten during cleaning sessions, since crumbs and grime are hidden away in crumb trays. Weekly touchups and monthly deep cleans can help keep them in good shape and can also prevent safety issues. A degreasing dish soap and a soft sponge are effective tools and materials for getting the job done, but a cleaning expert says to keep non-abrasive and stainless-steel cleansers on hand for caked-on messes and to restore shine.