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Good Housekeeping’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab recommends unplugging a toaster or toaster oven and letting it cool completely before cleaning. Its steps focus on removing crumbs, washing removable parts, and keeping liquids and tools away from heating elements.
Good Housekeeping’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab has outlined how to clean a toaster and toaster oven safely, with the first steps being to unplug the appliance and let it cool completely. The guidance matters because crumbs and grease can collect in these frequently used appliances, while moisture or sharp tools can damage heating elements.
For a standard toaster, the report recommends holding the unplugged appliance over a trash can, sliding out its crumb tray and emptying it, then shaking the toaster to loosen food particles. Turn it upside down and shake again to remove larger crumbs, and use a small pastry brush or spatula for remaining debris. The tool should be used carefully so it does not harm the heating elements.
Clean the tray with a damp cloth or sponge. If it is removable and suitable for washing, the report says it can be cleaned in warm, soapy water, rinsed, dried and put back. Wipe the exterior with all-purpose cleaner applied to a damp cloth or sponge, paying attention to knobs, the lever and crevices around the slots. Wipe away cleaner with a damp cloth and dry the surface; stainless steel can be polished with a product made for appliances.
A toaster oven has removable parts and interior surfaces that need separate attention. Shake crumbs into the trash, then wash removable racks, pans and trays in warm, soapy water with a non-abrasive sponge. For the interior, apply all-purpose cleaner to a sponge and wipe without touching the heating elements. Clean the exterior with a suitable product, using glass cleaner on a glass door if desired. The report says to let the appliance dry completely for at least five minutes before plugging it in again.
Keeping Heat Elements Safe
The advice addresses two practical concerns: removing food residue that builds up during everyday use and avoiding damage while cleaning. A basic toaster’s narrow slots and crevices can make crumbs difficult to reach, while a toaster oven’s racks, pans and interior surfaces can collect grease from foods such as pizza. The report recommends dealing with those areas using separate, appliance-appropriate steps.
Unplugging and cooling the appliance first reduces the risk of working around an active or hot device. Keeping water and sharp tools away from the heating elements also helps avoid damage. These are household-care recommendations from the report, not a claim that cleaning alone prevents every appliance hazard; users should follow their appliance manufacturer’s instructions if they differ.
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Two Appliances, Different Cleaning Steps
The Good Housekeeping report draws on advice from the publication’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab. It treats the toaster and toaster oven separately because their designs differ: a toaster’s main task is clearing loose crumbs from slots and a tray, while a toaster oven has removable cooking parts and surfaces that may have grease or food residue.
The guidance names examples of all-purpose, glass and stainless-steel cleaners, but the central method does not depend on a specific brand: use cleaner on a cloth or sponge rather than spraying into the appliance, avoid heating elements, and allow cleaned parts and surfaces to dry before use. The supplied source does not give a publication date or cite independent testing of the steps.
Check Your Appliance Instructions
The supplied report does not specify how often each appliance should be cleaned, and it does not establish that every toaster or toaster oven can be cleaned with the same products or methods. Manufacturer instructions may vary, particularly for removable parts, interior coatings and approved cleaners. The source also does not explain how to handle baked-on residue that cannot be removed with the recommended gentle cleaning, or provide a date for when the guidance was published.
Clean Only After Cooling
For readers following the report’s method, the next step is to unplug the appliance, wait until it is completely cool and remove crumbs or washable parts as appropriate. Before using any cleaner, check the manufacturer’s care instructions and keep liquids and tools away from heating elements. Let washed parts and cleaned surfaces dry fully before reconnecting the appliance; for toaster ovens, the report specifies at least five minutes.
Key Questions
Should I unplug a toaster before cleaning it?
Yes. Good Housekeeping’s guidance says to unplug the toaster or toaster oven and let it cool completely before cleaning.
How do I remove crumbs from a toaster?
Empty the crumb tray over a trash can, shake the unplugged toaster to dislodge loose crumbs, and use a small pastry brush or spatula for remaining debris. Work carefully to avoid the heating elements.
Can I wash a toaster’s crumb tray?
The report says to clean the tray with a damp cloth or sponge. If the tray is removable and washable, clean it in warm, soapy water, rinse it and dry it before reinstalling.
How should I clean the inside of a toaster oven?
Remove crumbs and wash removable racks, pans and trays separately. Wipe the interior with a sponge carrying all-purpose cleaner, while avoiding the heating elements. Follow the appliance’s own care instructions if they differ.
When can I plug a toaster oven back in?
Wait until it is completely dry. Good Housekeeping specifies at least five minutes after cleaning, and washed removable parts should also be dry before they are returned to the appliance.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
