How to Clean a Food Processor

By
Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre

Sarah Aguirre is a housekeeping expert with over 20 years of experience cleaning residentially and commercially. Over that time, she has been writing about tips and tricks for housekeeping and organizing a home for national publications.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 02/09/22
Food processor with chopped nuts inside and cover on the side

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 10 - 25 mins
  • Total Time: 20 - 25 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10-20

Cleaning your food processor may be a tedious task when it's constantly being used to chop, slice, and shred many recipe ingredients leaving food residue behind. However, it's important to properly clean each piece and the processor, itself, to have the tool last for awhile in your kitchen. Here are some tips and tricks to keep your food processor clean and in tip-top shape in 15 minutes.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Nylon brush
  • Dish cloths or sponge

Materials

  • Mild dish soap
  • Baking soda

Instructions

Mild dish soap bottle, yellow sponge and cloth, next to bowl of baking soda and yellow nylon brush

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Instructions

  1. Take the Food Processor Apart

    Food processors have several pieces and you'll need to take off the top, remove the pusher unit, take out the blade, and take the bowl off the motor. Bits of food can hide in any of these areas and you'll need everything separated in order to clean your food processor. Set the blade aside for special care.

    Food processor separated apart into different sections for cleaning

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Wash the Blade

    You should wash the blade first, immediately after use. This will help keep it sharp as any moisture from ingredients or soaking can dull the blade. This also prevents food from drying inside the crevices or tube attached to the blade. These will be easier to rinse out immediately after use. Taking care not to cut yourself, gently scrub it with a mild soap and a pad. Dry the blade with a dry dish towel so there is no moisture that can lead to rust.

    Food processor blade being cleaned and rinsed under running water

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  3. Wash the Removable Parts

    All the removable pieces of the food processor can be washed in warm water with a mild dish soap. You can let them soak for awhile if you don't want to do wash them immediately. Do not scrub the parts of the processor with abrasive cleaners or pads. Or, the removable parts other than metal blades can be washed in the dishwasher on the top rack.

    Removeble parts of food processor washed in kitchen sink with sponge

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  4. Wipe Down the Base/Motor

    Using a damp cloth, wipe down the base/motor area. Do not submerge this unit in water or pour water over the base/motor unit. A simple wipe down is usually all that is needed. For stubborn stains (like tomato), mild dish soap or a baking soda paste may be able to lift out the stain.

    White food processor base wiped down with damp yellow cloth

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  5. Fully Dry and Assemble the Processor

    Dry the pieces of the processor completely. Put it back together and store it away. If you use your food processor on a regular basis, store it on a countertop or in another accessible location.

    Food processor reassembled after drying closeup

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Tips

  1. If your processor is smelly, mix a 1-to-1 ratio of baking soda and water. Store it in the bowl of the processor for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. The baking soda will absorb the odors.
  2. Nylon brushes can help clean blades without as much danger of cutting yourself. For cleaning tubes, you may want a little wire brush that can get inside the tube.
  3. Be sure to dry all the pieces thoroughly to prevent bacteria growth or damage.