How do you clean a Vitamix blender container?

Keeping your Vitamix blender clean is essential to enjoy smooth and nutritious blends for years to come. While Vitamix blenders are durable, you’ll need to clean them properly after each use to prevent residue buildup and bacteria growth.

Cleaning your Vitamix container is easy if you follow some simple steps. With the right techniques and cleaning agents, you can keep your Vitamix running in top condition.

Materials Needed

Before you start cleaning your Vitamix container, make sure you have the following supplies on hand:

• Warm water
• Dish soap
• Vitamix cleaning brush – included with your blender
• Microfiber cloth or sponge
• Optional: white vinegar or baking soda for more stubborn stains

Pre-Cleaning the Container

It’s best to pre-rinse your Vitamix container before the residue dries up and hardens. Here are the steps for pre-cleaning:

1. Fill the container halfway with warm water.
2. Add a drop of dish soap and secure the lid.
3. Turn the blender on low for 30 seconds.
4. Remove the lid and empty the soapy water.
5. Rinse the container well.

Pre-cleaning prevents food from drying on the container walls. It makes the deep cleaning much easier.

Deep Cleaning the Container

For a thorough clean, follow these steps:

1. Fill the container halfway with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap.
2. Secure the lid and blend on high for 1 minute.
3. Remove the lid and insert the Vitamix cleaning brush to the bottom.
4. Brush the sides and bottom with a circular motion.
5. Dump out the soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
6. Wipe down the outside of the container with a damp microfiber cloth or sponge.
7. Dry with a towel.

The spinning blades create friction to help lift residue off the walls. Scrubbing with the brush also helps remove stubborn spots.

Tough Stain Removal

If you have dried or sticky blends that won’t budge, try these stain removal techniques:

Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste with 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Apply it to stained areas and let sit for 5 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that lifts stains.

White Vinegar Soak

Fill the container with equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Let soak for 30 minutes, then scrub with a brush and rinse. Vinegar helps break down stubborn organic residue.

Lemon Juice and Salt

Sprinkle salt on lemon juice in the container. Scrub with the juice and salt, then rinse thoroughly. The acidity in lemon juice cuts through stains.

Cleaning the Lid, Blades, and Base

It’s important to fully disassemble and clean all parts of your Vitamix blender. Here’s how:

Lid

• Wash with soap and water.
• Clean around the rim with a damp cloth or cotton swab.
• Dry thoroughly, especially around the seal.

Blades

• Remove from the base by twisting the wet blade assembly off.
• Wash with soap and water.
• Rinse and dry well.

Base

• Wipe down with a microfiber cloth and mild cleaner or soap and water.
• Never submerge the base in water.
• Dry thoroughly, especially around the motor base.

Reassembling Your Vitamix

Once all the separate pieces are cleaned and dried, it’s time to put your Vitamix back together:

1. Place the container on the motor base, rotating it clockwise to lock in place.
2. Insert the cleaned and dried lid on top of the container.
3. Add the blade assembly back and twist into the bottom of the container.

When assembled properly, your Vitamix is ready for more blending!

Maintenance Cleaning

For light cleaning after each use:

• Add water and a drop of soap to the container.
• Blend on high for 30 seconds.
• Rinse thoroughly.
• Wipe down the base and exterior.

This quick rinse prevents residue from building up over time.

Cleaning Tips

Follow these useful tips for easy Vitamix container cleaning:

• Clean your container immediately after blending. Don’t let ingredients dry inside.
• Use warm or hot water to dissolve residues.
• Inspect blender parts for staining or damage after cleaning.
• Deep clean weekly for regular users.
• Consider buying extra containers for batch cooking.
• Clean with citric acid or vinegar monthly to remove odors.

Common Questions

Can I put my Vitamix container in the dishwasher?

No, Vitamix does not recommend putting any of the blender components in the dishwasher. The high heat and harsh detergents can damage parts over time. It’s best to hand wash and dry immediately.

How do I clean under the blender blades?

Use the Vitamix cleaning brush that came with your machine to reach under the blades. Rotate the brush in a circular motion to scrub the underside.

What about mold growth in my container?

To prevent mold, don’t allow ingredients to sit in the container. Clean as soon as possible after use. If you spot mold, clean with vinegar and inspect under the blades using a brush.

Conclusion

With the proper cleaning techniques, you can keep your Vitamix blender in great condition for years of smoothies, soups, dips and more. Be sure to fully disassemble all parts and scrub the container, lid and blades after each use. For tough stains, try soaking in baking soda or vinegar. Keeping up with regular maintenance cleaning helps prevent odors and growth of bacteria or mold.

Cleaning your Vitamix blender doesn’t have to be a chore. Follow these steps and you’ll have a sparkling clean blender ready for your next creation.

Cleaning Step	Supplies Needed	Time Required
Pre-clean	Warm water, dish soap	1 minute
Deep clean	Warm water, dish soap, brush	5 minutes
Tough stains	Baking soda or vinegar	5-30 minutes
Disassemble	Warm water, dish soap	5 minutes
Maintenance	Warm water, dish soap	1 minute

Troubleshooting Issue	Solution
Dried ingredients	Soak in warm water before scrubbing
Greasy residues	Use baking soda paste
Berry or beet stains	Soak in vinegar water
Mold growth	Clean with vinegar and inspect blades
Odors	Clean with citric acid or vinegar