Can You Wash a Blender in the Dishwasher?

As far as kitchen appliances go, there’s one that will always be a pain to clean: blenders. It’s important that you clean every part individually to prevent cross-contamination with your next recipe. So, can you make life easier by washing a blender in the dishwasher?

It’s possible to wash blenders in the dishwasher, but the unit should be dishwasher safe. Also, not every part of a blender can be safely washed inside a dishwasher, specifically those that require electricity to operate.

If you’d like to learn which parts are safe to wash in a dishwasher and which parts you absolutely must wash by hand, you’ve come to the right place. Below, I’ll show you the proper technique on how to wash your blender after each use and how to deep-clean your blender.

Can You Wash a Blender in the Dishwasher?

A blender is an invaluable kitchen tool that breaks down solid ingredients into smooth purées. Simply add your ingredients into the blender’s jar, chase them with a bit of liquid, and pulse that baby until it’s at the right consistency.

As much as blenders can make it easy to prepare soups, salsas, and smoothies, they require a ton of elbow grease, as well as soapy water, to clean thoroughly. This is because a blender is comprised of several components that, for the most part, make contact with the blended ingredients.

So, if you’re wondering whether or not you can wash a blender in the dishwasher, the good news is yes, you can, but the product should sport a “dishwasher safe” label.

You see, not all blender jars are made the same. Glass dishwasher jars are safe to clean inside a dishwasher, but plastic jars can be a bit iffy. It ultimately depends on whether or not the plastic material can withstand the heat from your dishwasher. If you’re in doubt, consult the blender’s paperwork to see whether or not it’s safe to put inside your dishwasher.

Which Parts Are Safe to Wash in the Dishwasher?

Blenders will typically come with 5 main parts, namely:

• The blender jar
• The jar cover
• The blade assembly
• The silicone gasket
• The blender base

Specialty blenders may come with additional components, such as a vapor cover, a silicone ring for the jar cover, and a mixer rod.

If your blender is deemed dishwasher safe, every part of the blender can be safely washed in the dishwasher, except the blender base. This is the part that plus directly into a wall outlet and comes with buttons or dials to control blending speeds and duration.

However, when it comes to the components belonging to specialty blenders, here’s a word of caution: if it takes a great amount of force to separate one component from the other—e.g., removing the silicone ring from the inside of the blender jar—then leave them alone. You can wash them in the dishwasher without taking them apart beforehand.

How to Wash a Blender in the Dishwasher?

When everything is said and done, you will have to wash your blender as thoroughly as possible to keep germs from seeking refuge in the nooks and crannies. Here’s a quick guide on how to safely wash your blender in the dishwasher.

Note: This guide may not be applicable to every model, so consult the owner’s manual to see how you should go about doing it for your specific blender.

1. Disengage all buttons and dials on the blender’s base before unplugging the unit.
2. When the blender is unplugged from a wall outlet, disassemble the blender by lifting the jar away from the base. Take the base and store it in a safe, dry place since it should not go anywhere near your dishwasher.
3. Remove the mixing rod by lifting it out of the blender jar’s cap.
4. Remove the cap from the blender jar by lifting it up or rotating it counter-clockwise.
5. Remove the blade assembly from the blender jar by rotating it counter-clockwise.
6. Remove the silicone gasket from the blade assembly by lifting it away with a finger or toothpick.
7. Carefully dump out, scrape off, and pull away any solid food stuck to the mixing rod, cap, blade, and silicone gasket.
8. Place the mixing rod, the cap, the blade, and the silicone basket on the topmost dishrack, next to the cutlery compartment.
9. Place the blender jar upside-down on the bottommost dishrack among large dishes and bowls.
10. Run a full cycle with heated water to wash, rinse, and sanitize the blender’s parts.

While the dishwasher does its thing, take the blender base and wipe it down with a slightly moistened microfiber cloth or paper towel. Make sure to wring the clock or towel to prevent large droplets of water from getting into the control panel.

How to Deep-Clean a Blender?

Discoloration along the inside walls of a blender jar is nothing to be too concerned about. If you’ve ever placed leftover pasta inside a Tupperware container, you know what I’m talking about.

However, if you’re as bothered as I am by a discolored blender jar, here’s a quick and easy way to deep-clean your blender.

1. Disassemble your blender following the guide above.
2. Soak all of the dishwasher-friendly parts in a tub of soapy water.
3. Let them sit in the tub for 10 minutes.
4. Remove the parts from the tub of soapy water and scrub.
5. If scrubbing doesn’t cut it, place the blade assembly and the blender jar in a tub of a 1:1 solution of water and vinegar.
6. Let them sit in the tub for 10 minutes.
7. Remove the parts from the tub of vinegar solution and scrub.
8. If scrubbing doesn’t cut it, sprinkle a handful of baking soda along the inner walls of the blender jar.
9. Using the rough side of a sponge, aggressively scrub the baking soda on the entire inner surface of the blender jar.

As a bonus, here’s what you can do immediately after using your blender to prevent discoloration.

1. Fill the blender’s jar halfway with water or with a 1:1 solution of water and vinegar.
2. Blend the water or vinegar solution on high speed for 30 seconds.
3. Pour the water or vinegar solution out and rinse the blender’s jar.

Can I Wash Ninja Blenders in a Dishwasher?

Ninja blenders are highly regarded for their versatility, though they’re usually only used for making smoothies. Like any blender, a Ninja blender comes in several components, including a blender base.

So, when it comes to washing a Ninja blender, you can pretty much place everything, minus the blender base, in your dishwasher. These blenders are heat-resistant, so you don’t have to worry too much about hot water warping the blender jar’s shape.

It’s also recommended that you wash your Ninja blender after each use. That way, you don’t run the risk of discoloring the jar or getting old food remnants trapped in the silicone gasket. However, a light wash should do the trick after each use, though you’re more than welcome to stick all removable parts in the dishwasher.

Can I Wash Vitamix Blenders in the Dishwasher?

Yes, you can. However, Vitamix highly recommends hand-washing your blender just to be on the safe side. That said, Vitamix blenders are considered to be top-dishrack safe.

The problem with using a dishwasher for such a delicate blender is that the heat from the dishwasher’s heating element might prove to be too much for the plastic jar to handle. Although the jar is heat-resistant, you would be better off washing the entire unit by hand.

Further Reading: Can Vitamix Go In the Dishwasher?