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A Good Housekeeping report shares step-by-step advice from its Home Care & Cleaning Lab for cleaning toasters and toaster ovens. The core safety steps are to unplug each appliance, let it cool completely and keep water and tools away from heating elements; toaster ovens also need their removable parts and greasy interior cleaned carefully.
Good Housekeeping has published cleaning guidance from its Home Care & Cleaning Lab for toasters and toaster ovens, advising owners to unplug and cool the appliances before removing crumbs or wiping surfaces. The instructions also warn against getting water or sharp tools near heating elements, a safety point that matters when cleaning food debris and grease from appliances connected to household electricity.
For a standard toaster, the report recommends unplugging it, holding it over a trash can, sliding out the crumb tray and emptying it. A gentle shake can dislodge loose crumbs; turning the toaster upside down and shaking again may release larger pieces. The report suggests using a small pastry brush or spatula for remaining crumbs, while cautioning against damaging internal heating elements. It does not recommend putting water inside the toaster.
Clean the crumb tray with a damp cloth or sponge, or wash a removable tray in warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry it before putting it back. For the exterior, apply a little all-purpose cleaner to a damp cloth or sponge rather than spraying the appliance directly. Wipe around knobs, the lever and the top slots, then go over the surface with a damp cloth and buff it dry. The report suggests stainless-steel cleaner for stainless-steel finishes.
To clean a toaster oven, first unplug it and empty loose food particles into the trash. Remove its rack, pans and crumb tray, if removable, and wash them in warm, soapy water with a non-abrasive sponge. For the interior, the guidance is to put all-purpose cleaner on a sponge and wipe the surfaces while avoiding the heating elements. Use suitable cleaner for the exterior finish and glass door. Let all parts and surfaces dry completely; the report specifies at least five minutes before plugging the toaster oven back in.
Safer Cleaning Around Heating Elements
Crumbs and grease collect in appliances used for toast, reheated pizza and other foods. Removing that residue can help keep the appliances clean, but cleaning them while plugged in or using liquid and sharp tools near heating elements introduces avoidable risk. The report puts unplugging and cooling ahead of any cleaning step and distinguishes between a toaster’s crumb tray and a toaster oven’s removable racks, pans and interior surfaces.
The method also offers a practical way to limit mess: empty loose crumbs over a trash can, clean removable components separately and use a damp cloth or sponge on exterior surfaces. For readers, the key takeaway is not a specialized product but a sequence of steps that keeps moisture and abrasive tools away from sensitive internal parts.
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Different Appliances, Different Steps
The Good Housekeeping report describes a standard toaster as a small appliance with slots, a lever, controls and a crumb tray. Its cleaning advice focuses on removing dry crumbs and wiping the outside. Since crumbs can sit inside the slots and around the controls, the report recommends a small brush for accessible residue rather than reaching in with a sharp implement.
A toaster oven has more removable cooking parts and is often used for oily foods, according to the report. That can leave grease as well as crumbs, so its cleaning routine includes washing racks, pans and the crumb tray, then wiping the interior with cleaner applied to a sponge. The instructions are attributed to cleaning professionals at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab; the supplied material does not identify individual experts who gave the recommendations.
“You should always unplug the toaster or toaster oven before cleaning it.”
— Good Housekeeping report, citing its Home Care & Cleaning Lab
Cleaner Compatibility Still Varies
The supplied report does not specify whether every all-purpose, glass or stainless-steel cleaner is suitable for every appliance model or finish. Owners should check their appliance’s manual and the cleaner’s label for product-specific directions. It also does not give a universal cleaning schedule or address every toaster-oven feature, such as air-fry accessories. The report’s steps should not be read as a substitute for manufacturer instructions, particularly where they differ.
The material provides recommendations from Good Housekeeping’s cleaning team, not test results comparing cleaner brands or evidence that a particular product is required. Its examples name specific products, but the core directions focus on unplugging, removing debris, avoiding heating elements and letting cleaned surfaces dry.
Check the Manual Before Reuse
Before cleaning, owners can check their appliance manual for instructions about removable parts, approved cleaners and surfaces that should not be washed. After following the applicable directions, make sure trays and other parts are dry and reinstalled properly, and wait until the appliance is fully dry before reconnecting it. The Good Housekeeping report gives at least five minutes as its toaster-oven drying period, while leaving the required time for other models to their manufacturer guidance.
The report presents cleaning as a short routine rather than a repair procedure. If an appliance is damaged, has exposed wiring or does not operate normally, the supplied guidance does not address repairs; owners should consult the manufacturer or a qualified service professional instead of reaching into the appliance or attempting electrical work.
Key Questions
Should I unplug a toaster before cleaning it?
Yes. The Good Housekeeping report says to unplug the toaster or toaster oven first and let it cool completely before cleaning.
Can I wash a toaster crumb tray?
The report says a removable crumb tray can be washed in warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry it before reinserting it. It recommends cleaning the toaster exterior with a damp cloth or sponge, not washing the appliance itself.
How do I clean inside a toaster oven?
Remove loose crumbs, then take out removable racks, pans and the crumb tray and wash them separately. Wipe the interior with a sponge carrying all-purpose cleaner, while avoiding the heating elements. Let surfaces dry completely before reconnecting the oven.
How long should a toaster oven dry before I plug it back in?
The report says to let a cleaned toaster oven dry completely for at least five minutes before plugging it back in. Check the appliance manual for any different model-specific directions.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
