How To Clean a Cloudy Blender Container

One of the most frustrating kinds of cleaning is the kind that doesn’t leave you with anything sparkly and shiny to admire when you’re done. Objects or areas that might technically be clean but don’t look clean are disappointing. This is particularly true in the kitchen, where anything that looks dirty not only evokes disgust, but even triggers a vague sense of danger. 

I know this all too well because I own a blender. Over time, my Vitamix container has developed a cloudy veneer that just doesn’t seem to want to come off. As Vitamix describes and I experienced, “The minerals from fruits, produce, and leafy greens can cause a film on your container.” Not appetizing. It’s not just Vitamix containers that can get cloudy — I’ve spoken to friends who’ve said their plastic containers have taken on a film too.

Although I had been resigned to the murky state of my blender container, when I came across a tip on Go Clean, I knew I had to try it. It worked like almost-magic and I’m now the proud owner of a blender container that I can see through and that looks clean. Here’s how I got my blender crystal clear again.

• Baking soda
• Water
• Bowl for mixing baking soda and water into a paste
• Scrub pad  
• Distilled white vinegar

1. Make a paste of baking soda and water: You want your paste thin enough to be spreadable, but thick enough that it will stick on the interior of the unit without dripping down. 
2. Spread the paste inside the container: Spread the paste all around the inside of the container, making sure it’s somewhat evenly spread throughout. Let it sit for about 20 minutes. Then use your scrub pad to scrub the container. (Work in small sections. You’ll need some elbow grease and persistence with your scrubbing.)
3. Rinse the container: Rinse out all the paste. It will take a few times to flush all the baking soda from the unit.
4. If cloudiness remains, fill the container with a cup of white vinegar and water: A vinegar bath helps cut through any lingering film and helps give your blender container a crystal clarity. Add a cup of white vinegar and fill the rest of the way with warm water. Let it sit for several hours or overnight.
5. Rinse clean: Your final step is exciting because you’ll see how restored your blender unit looks. I dare you not to dry it right away, hold it to the light, and have everyone admire your miraculous blender-cleaning handiwork.

• Keep in mind that blender containers can get scratched (if you grind grains or make nut butters, for example), and will never look perfectly polished.