GoBlendy

How to clean a blender: jug, blades, seals and base

The quickest way to clean a blender is to do it straight away. Rinse it before the smoothie dries, then run a little warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid through it. The details after that depend on the type of blender: whether the blades come out, which parts are dishwasher-safe, and how you keep the motor base dry. This guide follows what the manufacturers’ own manuals say. Your model’s manual has the final word.

Last checked: 22 October 2026, against NutriBullet UK and Vitamix Europe care instructions. Part of our blender guides.

Safety first: unplug and keep fingers off the blades

Unplug the motor base before you clean anything. NutriBullet’s manuals put this first: always unplug before assembling, taking apart or cleaning, and don’t handle the machine until every part has stopped moving.
Never put the motor base in water or under the tap. NutriBullet and Vitamix both say to wipe the outside with a damp cloth only.
Blades are sharp. Use a bottle brush or a dish brush, not your fingers, to clean around them.

After every use: the 60-second clean

Both manufacturers describe the same basic idea: let the blender clean itself before anything dries on.

Rinse it straight after pouring. Vitamix calls dried-on residue “the start of every deposit”. Use warm water, not hot.
Add warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid. Vitamix suggests filling the container halfway with warm water and adding one or two drops. More only makes foam.
Put the lid on properly and blend. On a Vitamix, lock the lid and lid plug, increase the speed and run it for 30 to 60 seconds. The NutriBullet Blender manual suggests filling to the liquid MAX line, adding 1 or 2 drops of soap, fitting the lid with the vented cap and blending on LOW for 20 to 30 seconds.
Rinse and air-dry. Vitamix recommends leaving the container to dry upside down so water doesn’t dry into marks.

Don’t use hot water for this. Vitamix warns that hot liquid expands as it blends and can lift the lid. The same rule applies to any blender: self-cleaning is a warm-water job. For why heat is risky in a sealed container, see can you blend hot liquids?

Cleaning a jug blender

Jug: after the quick clean, wash in warm soapy water or, if your manual allows it, in the dishwasher. The NutriBullet Blender pitcher is dishwasher-safe, but NutriBullet says never to use a sanitise cycle, because heat that high can warp the plastic. Vitamix says its European manuals approve a dishwasher cycle for its containers, but it still recommends the self-clean routine to reduce cloudiness.
Fixed blades: many jugs have blades that don’t come out. Vitamix specifically says not to unscrew the blade assembly, because the container may not seal properly afterwards. Clean around them with a brush.
Lid: Vitamix points out that lids can trap residue in the groove between the lid and the insert. Take the insert out and wash both parts.
Tamper: NutriBullet says to always hand-wash its tamper with soap and water.

Cleaning a personal (bullet) blender

Personal blenders have three parts to look after: the cup, the blade unit and the motor base. The NutriBullet 600/900 manual says:

Cups and to-go lids can go on the top rack of the dishwasher, or be hand-washed in warm soapy water. Rinse and brush off dried bits first, and don’t use the sanitise cycle.
The extractor blade isn’t one of the dishwasher parts. Wash it by hand in warm soapy water, then dry it completely. NutriBullet suggests standing it on its side in the dish rack so both sides dry.
Don’t remove the rubber gasket (seal) from the blade unit. NutriBullet warns that doing so permanently damages it and causes leaks. Order a replacement blade if the gasket becomes loose or damaged.
Dried-on smoothie: fill the cup about two-thirds with room-temperature water (NutriBullet says 21°C or less), fit the blade, and run it on the base for 20 to 30 seconds. Then scrub lightly and rinse.
Check the cup tabs: NutriBullet says to check the tabs on the side of each cup regularly for cracks or rounding, and to stop using a cup with damaged or missing tabs.

Cleaning the motor base

Unplug it.
Wipe the outside, and the cup or jug seat, with a sponge or cloth dampened with warm soapy water.
For sticky drips around the activator tabs of a personal blender, NutriBullet says you can use a small brush. Only do this while it’s unplugged, and never use your fingers or utensils on the tabs while it’s plugged in.
Don’t try to remove liners or parts from the base.
Dry it straight away.

Leaks into the base usually mean the blade wasn’t screwed on tightly or the cup was filled past the MAX line. If the base keeps getting wet, check the seal and fill level.

Cloudy or stained containers

Vitamix explains that the milky film on a plastic jug is usually a mineral deposit from fruit, veg and tap water, especially in hard-water areas. It suggests an occasional vinegar soak:

Mix cold white vinegar and cold water in equal parts, enough to cover the cloudy area.
Leave it to stand for about four hours. Don’t blend it.
Pour it out, rinse thoroughly and air-dry.

Two things a soak won’t fix, according to Vitamix: stains from turmeric, beetroot or carrot (a colour, not a deposit) and fine scratches from hard ingredients over time. Avoid abrasive cleaners and scouring pads, which cause more scratches. Vitamix says this soak is for its plastic containers, not its stainless steel one, so check your own manual before trying it on another brand.

For extra freshening of a NutriBullet blade, the manual suggests rinsing it with a 10% vinegar-and-water solution or lemon juice after washing.

Smells, seals and when to replace parts

Smells usually come from residue trapped in the seal or lid groove. Take the lid apart, wash the seal area with a brush, and dry everything fully before reassembling.
Store parts dry. Vitamix advises against putting a container away wet. NutriBullet suggests storing the pitcher upright with its lid on and nothing on top.
Replace damaged parts rather than repairing them: a cracked cup, worn cup tabs, or a loose or damaged seal. Buy replacements from the manufacturer for your model.

Quick reference

Part	How to clean	Dishwasher?
Jug or container	Warm-water self-clean, rinse, air-dry	Often yes; check the manual and avoid sanitise cycles
Personal blender cups	Rinse, brush, wash	NutriBullet: top rack only
Blade unit (personal)	Hand wash, dry fully, leave the seal in	NutriBullet: no
Lid, plug and tamper	Take apart; warm soapy water	Varies: NutriBullet says hand-wash its tamper
Motor base	Unplug; wipe with a damp cloth	Never. Don’t submerge it

FAQ

Can you put a blender in the dishwasher?

Some parts, depending on the model. NutriBullet’s cups and pitcher are dishwasher-safe (cups on the top rack), but its extractor blade and motor base aren’t. Vitamix says its containers can go in the dishwasher under its European manuals. The motor base of any blender should never go in water. Always check the manual for your model.

How do I clean under the blades if they don’t come out?

Run the warm-water self-clean, then use a bottle brush around the blades. Vitamix advises against unscrewing fixed blade assemblies, as the container may not seal properly afterwards.

Why is my blender jug cloudy?

Vitamix says it’s usually a mineral film from produce and tap water. An occasional cold vinegar-and-water soak can clear it. Staining from strongly coloured foods won’t come out the same way.

Can I use hot water to clean my blender?

Not for blending it clean. Vitamix warns that hot water expands during blending and can lift the lid. Use warm water for the self-clean.

How do I stop my smoothies leaving residue?

Clean straight after use, before it dries. Getting the ingredient order right also helps the blender clear the jug. See our load order and ratio guide.

Choosing a new blender? Easy cleaning is one of the things to compare in how to choose a blender for smoothies, and the differences between types are covered in personal vs full-size vs portable blenders.

Sources

NutriBullet UK, nutribullet 600/900 Series user guide (care and maintenance), checked 22 October 2026.
NutriBullet UK, nutribullet Blender user guide (care and maintenance, storage), checked 22 October 2026.
Vitamix Europe, How do I clean my Vitamix?, checked 22 October 2026.
Vitamix UK, Frequently asked questions (cloudy containers), checked 22 October 2026.