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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. The steps include emptying crumbs, washing removable parts, wiping surfaces carefully and keeping liquid and tools away from heating elements.
Good Housekeeping has outlined a safe way to clean toasters and toaster ovens, advising readers to unplug each appliance and let it cool completely before removing crumbs or wiping surfaces. The guidance matters because cleaning around heating elements with moisture or sharp tools can damage the appliance, while crumbs and grease can collect in areas used for cooking.
For a standard toaster, the report recommends holding the unplugged appliance over a bin, sliding out the crumb tray and emptying it, then gently shaking the toaster to dislodge food particles. A small pastry brush or spatula can help remove crumbs still inside, but the report cautions against damaging the heating elements. It does not recommend putting water into the toaster.
Clean the tray with a damp cloth or sponge; if the tray is removable and suitable for washing, use warm, soapy water, rinse it and dry it before putting it back. Wipe the exterior with all-purpose cleaner applied to a damp cloth or sponge rather than spraying directly into the appliance. The report calls attention to the knobs, lever and crevices around the slots, where crumbs and grease may gather. A stainless-steel cleaner can be used on stainless-steel surfaces.
A toaster oven has removable components and interior surfaces that call for separate care. Empty loose food particles, then wash removable racks, pans and crumb trays in warm, soapy water, using a non-abrasive sponge for stuck-on residue. To clean inside, apply all-purpose cleaner to a sponge and wipe the interior while avoiding the heating elements. The report suggests glass cleaner for glass doors and stainless-steel cleaner for stainless exteriors. Let the appliance dry completely for at least five minutes before plugging it in again.
Keep Crumbs and Grease Away From Elements
The advice gives readers a practical way to clean appliances that are easy to overlook between kitchen cleanups. Removing crumbs from a toaster’s tray and interior, and grease from a toaster oven’s removable parts and surfaces, addresses buildup without treating the appliance like an ordinary dish or countertop.
The safety steps are central: power must be disconnected before cleaning, and the appliance must cool first. Limiting moisture to cloths, sponges and removable parts—and keeping cleaners and tools away from heating elements—reduces the risk of damage during routine cleaning. The report provides household guidance, not a guarantee that every appliance can be cleaned with the same products or method.
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Two Appliances, Different Cleaning Steps
The Good Housekeeping report draws on advice from professionals at the brand’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab. It distinguishes a toaster, where the main task is clearing crumbs from the tray and slots, from a toaster oven, which has racks, pans and an interior that can collect grease.
That distinction reflects how the appliances are used. The report notes that toaster ovens may reheat foods such as pizza, allowing oily residue to build up. Its instructions use common supplies—including a damp cloth or sponge and mild soapy water for removable parts—but name commercial all-purpose, glass and stainless-steel cleaners as examples rather than establishing that a specific brand is required.
Check Your Appliance’s Care Instructions
The supplied report does not specify whether its suggested cleaners are approved for every toaster or toaster oven model. It also does not give model-specific instructions for appliances with unusual coatings, self-cleaning features or non-removable parts. Readers should check the manufacturer’s care instructions when they differ from general guidance, and should not assume every tray or rack is dishwasher-safe.
The source does not set a cleaning schedule, quantify fire or damage risks, or provide evidence comparing cleaning products. Its advice is limited to routine cleaning steps and precautions; it does not address repairs or cleaning an appliance that is damaged.
Let Parts Dry Before Reuse
After cleaning, rinse and dry any washed removable toaster tray before reinstalling it. For toaster ovens, allow the interior and removable parts to dry fully; the report specifies waiting at least five minutes before reconnecting the appliance. The next step is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions if they set a longer drying period or prescribe different care.
For routine upkeep, readers can repeat the crumb-removal and surface-wiping steps as needed, taking the appliance out of service and letting it cool before each cleaning. The source gives no fixed interval for doing this, so frequency depends on use and the appliance’s own care guidance.
Key Questions
Should I unplug a toaster before cleaning it?
Yes. Good Housekeeping says to unplug the toaster or toaster oven and let it cool completely before cleaning.
Can I use water inside a toaster?
The report warns against getting water on the heating elements. It recommends using a small brush or spatula to remove crumbs and a damp cloth or sponge on the exterior, rather than pouring or spraying liquid into the appliance.
How do I clean a toaster oven’s removable parts?
Remove the rack, pans and crumb tray, then wash them in warm, soapy water. A non-abrasive sponge can help remove residue. Rinse and let the parts air-dry before putting them back.
When can I plug the toaster oven back in?
Wait until it is fully dry. Good Housekeeping specifies at least five minutes after cleaning, though the appliance manufacturer’s instructions may call for more time.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
