How to clean a juicer — get yourself out of a sticky sitch with our 5-step guide

No excuse to "blame it on the juice" ya-ya-ee

Nutribullet Pro juicer with watermelon juice
(Image credit: Ninja)

The fact you have to clean a juicer after you've done a good job at adulting and ate your greens should be a crime. But the actual felony is the price of a beverage at the juice bar... can you say daylight robbery? Our faves Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner love to sip on the go but — let's face it — boutique bars charge bucks! I don't care for the plastic, nor the amount of ice they use either.

I borrowed one of the best juicers out there from my mom, so I can see the benefits of juicing on my bank balance. As one of the millennials on the team at Real Homes, my Gen-Z colleagues also compliment me on my skin, and I secretly think it's down to the mixed blend I make in the morning.

Even if you own a good orange juicer, it's imperative that your small kitchen appliance gets a once-over after each use. This'll ensure you're served the freshest-tasting juice and that you're not in a sticky situation when it comes to pests in search of the sweet stuff.

You might have just made a fruit cocktail using your brand-new appliance. Or perhaps you've bought a second-hand juicer on eBay or Facebook Marketplace that's a bit gunky. The good news is that in just five steps, you can have an electric juicer that stands out for all the right reasons.

Good to know

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 10 minutes

Helpful hints: I used the Nutribullet Pro Juicer to demonstrate cleaning a juicer. We appreciate some appliances are made differently, and this particular model comes with removable parts. Always consult your instruction manual or contact your manufacturer if you're unsure. Below, I've included a diagram of the parts this particular machine comes with so you can familiarize yourself with it.

Also, if you're in the market for a new juicer — read our Nutribullet Pro Juicer review.

A diagram illustrating the Nutribullet Pro Juicer components

A diagram illustrating the Nutribullet Pro Juicer components

(Image credit: Nutribullet)

Here's what you'll need

Step 1: Unplug your appliance

Orange, apple and carrot juice made in a Nutribullet Pro Juicer in white kitchen

Orange, apple and carrot juice made in a Nutribullet Pro Juicer in white kitchen

(Image credit: Future / Christina Chrysostomou)

We don't want blitzed fingers here, so safety first! I made a mixed carrot, orange, and apple juice to get the juicer as messy as you'd expect IRL. My mom forgot to give me the feeding shoot so a few shards of carrot and small chunks of carrot ended up on my tiled walls!

If this happens to you — just wipe it down with an all-purpose cleaner and some super-strength paper towel. I think Bounty (which you can buy from Amazon) is great for wiping down walls.

Step 2: Remove the pulp basin 

Christina Chrysostomou lifting the pulp basin from the Nutribullet Juicer Pro in white tiled kitchen

Christina Chrysostomou lifting the pulp basin from the Nutribullet Juicer Pro in white tiled kitchen

(Image credit: Future / Christina Chrysostomou)

Once the pulp basin is emptied (either reserved for a yummy cake, or in the compost bin/trash can), rinse all parts under running water.

Christina Chrysostomou deconstructing the Nutribullet Juicer Pro in white tiled kitchen

Christina Chrysostomou deconstructing the Nutribullet Juicer Pro in white tiled kitchen

(Image credit: Future / Christina Chrysostomou)

Helpful hint: Add the pulp to breakfast muffins, banana bread, or carrot cake to increase your fiber intake.

Overhead shot of used Nutribullet Juicer Pro being taken apart

Overhead shot of used Nutribullet Juicer Pro being taken apart

(Image credit: Future / Christina Chrysostomou)

Here, I've twisted the pulp basin cover off so you can now see the sieve exposed. This comes off quite easily.

Step 3: Clean the sieve component

Use a cleaning brush to scrub the sieve under running water. Ensure you thoroughly clean the sieve every time you juice, as minerals from fruits and veggies can cause build-up in the sieve which can have an impact on your juicer's performance.

You want to do this ASAP. If the gunk sits around, the dried-on pulp will be harder to scrub off. If you've been a lazy girl (no judgment), let the sieve soak in hot water for about 30 minutes before attempting to rinse again. 

Cleaning underside of Nutribullet Juicer Pro mesh component

(Image credit: Future / Christina Chrysostomou)

I used a clean toothbrush to get into the underside of the sieve — these bristles can go places a big sponge can't. This eight-piece bottle brush set on Amazon literally has everything you could need if you don't want to use fresh toothbrushes for this.

Christina Chrysostomou cleaning the sieve component of the Nutribullet Juicer Pro with dish soap and running water in white tiled kitchen

Christina Chrysostomou cleaning the sieve component of the Nutribullet Juicer Pro with dish soap and running water in white tiled kitchen

(Image credit: Future / Christina Chrysostomou)

WARNING: Be careful when cleaning the sieve, as it contains sharp blade teeth on the flat disc part. You might want to wear some dishwashing gloves just to add another layer of protection.

Step 4: Clean all the washable components

Option 1: Handwashing

Christina Chrysostomou rinsing Nutribullet Juicer Pro components under running water using kitchen faucet and stainless steel sink

Christina Chrysostomou rinsing Nutribullet Juicer Pro components under running water using kitchen faucet and stainless steel sink 

(Image credit: Future / Christina Chrysostomou)

All of my Nutribullet Juicer Pro components except the motor base are dishwasher safe. But, for the sake of example (in case yours is not), you can also hand wash your appliance parts with warm soapy water.

WARNING: Don't be tempted to use the sterilize cycle on your dishwasher (if using) to clean your juicer as it may cause parts to deform.

FYI, if you've got the Nutribullet Juicer Pro, the glass storage bottles and freezer trays are dishwasher-safe — this includes the lids for each of these respective items, too.

Option 2: Dishwashing

Christina Chrysostomou putting Nutribullet Juicer Pro components in dishwasher

Christina Chrysostomou putting Nutribullet Juicer Pro components in dishwasher

(Image credit: Future / Christina Chrysostomou)

Double check that your juicer's parts are dishwasher safe. If you're good to go, place the components on the top rack. 

Step 5: Wipe down the motor base

The easiest way to do this is with a damp microfiber cloth. Once everything is clean, reassemble and put your juicer back in its spot on the countertop or in its cabinet. Five steps and done!

WARNING: Never submerge the motor base into water or other liquid (ie: cleaning detergent).

Can I run water through my juicer?

How do you clean the mesh part of a juicer?

There are two ways you could go about this. Either let it soak in warm soapy water (as we mentioned above) or use the magical properties of baking soda — applying gentle pressure with a bottle brush, like the set we recommend from Amazon, to lift dried-on debris from your fresh produce.

We also spoke to content creator and TikTok cleaning influencer Melissa Metrano about how to wash it. "I love using Q-tips to clean the mesh screen where the pulp can get clogged," she says. "Q-tips make it so easy to clean!" Talk about a handy hack.

Meet our experts

Image of Digital Writer Christina Chrysostomou
Christina Chrysostomou

Christina is our ecommerce editor at Real Homes. She primarily looks after our small kitchen appliance content and tests everything from air fryers to coffee makers, milk frothers, juicers, and more. She splits her time reviewing products in the Future Plc test kitchen in Reading, UK, and in her Essex 2-bed maisonette.

Helen McCue headshot
Helen McCue

Helen reviewed the Nutribullet Pro juicer alongside three others for Real Homes, so she could make informed comparisons on the speed of juicing as well as juice yields and ease of use (which included cleaning). She might have felt like she’d been on a juice cleanse by the end had she not been heavily supplementing all this juice with copious amounts of cheese and mashed potatoes.

Melissa Metrano headshot
Melissa Metrano

Melissa Metrano is an author, digital entrepreneur, and lifestyle content creator.  Best known for her home, family, and wellness videos on YouTube and TikTok, Melissa shares updated content daily across her social media channels which reaches over 10 million people. Melissa is passionate about connecting with her community and sharing her journey in hopes to inspire others.

Christina Chrysostomou
Acting head ecommerce editor

Hi, I'm the acting head ecommerce editor at Real Homes. Prior to working for the Future plc family, I've worked on a number of consumer events including the Ideal Home Show, Grand Designs Live, and Good Homes Magazine. With a first class degree from Keele University, and a plethora of experience in digital marketing, editorial, and social media, I have an eye for what should be in your shopping basket. I'm the in-house appliances expert and have gone through the internal customer advisor accreditation process.

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