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Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab experts outline separate cleaning steps for toasters and toaster ovens. Their guidance starts with unplugging the appliance and letting it cool, then removing crumbs and cleaning removable parts while keeping moisture and tools away from heating elements.
Good Housekeeping has published cleaning instructions for toasters and toaster ovens, advising people to unplug each appliance and let it cool completely before removing crumbs, cleaning surfaces or washing detachable parts. The guidance matters because water, sharp tools and cleaners used near heating elements can damage the appliances, while crumbs and grease can build up inside.
For a standard toaster, the report recommends holding the unplugged appliance over a trash can, sliding out the crumb tray and emptying it, then shaking the toaster to dislodge loose pieces. A small pastry brush or spatula can help remove remaining crumbs, but the heating elements should not be struck or scraped. Clean the tray with a damp cloth or sponge; if it is removable and suitable for washing, use warm, soapy water, then rinse and dry it before putting it back.
To clean the toaster’s exterior, apply a small amount of all-purpose cleaner to a damp cloth or sponge rather than spraying into the appliance. Pay attention to the knobs, lever and crevices, where crumbs and grease may collect. Wipe away cleaner with a damp cloth and dry the surface. The report suggests using a stainless-steel appliance cleaner on stainless-steel surfaces.
A toaster oven has more removable parts and interior surfaces to clean. After unplugging it, empty loose crumbs into the trash. Wash removable racks, pans and the crumb tray in warm, soapy water, using a non-abrasive sponge for stuck-on residue; rinse and air-dry the parts. For the interior, the report advises putting all-purpose cleaner on a sponge and wiping while avoiding the heating elements. Clean glass doors with glass cleaner and use an appropriate stainless-steel cleaner on stainless-steel exteriors. Let the appliance dry completely—at least five minutes, according to the report—before plugging it in again.
Cleaning Without Damaging Heating Elements
Crumbs and grease are ordinary by-products of using these appliances, but cleaning them requires care around electrical components and hot surfaces. The instructions put unplugging and cooling first, then distinguish between cleaning a toaster’s narrow slots and a toaster oven’s removable racks, pans and interior. That difference can help readers avoid applying a one-size-fits-all method.
The report’s advice also reduces the chance of pushing crumbs deeper into an appliance or getting liquid onto its heating elements. For toaster ovens used to reheat oily foods such as pizza, the guidance calls attention to grease buildup and recommends wiping the interior with cleaner on a sponge rather than spraying the appliance directly. It does not provide a technical safety certification or quantify fire risk; its value is practical, step-by-step household cleaning guidance.
Products Worth Considering
Cuisinart 8-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven with Grill, 1800W, Stainless Steel (TOA-70NAS)
Ninja French Door Premier 10-in-1 Air Fry Oven, 20.3 Qt, Stainless Steel (FO101)
Breville Bambino Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel (BES450BSS)
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Why Toaster Ovens Need Extra Cleaning
The Good Housekeeping report draws on advice from the publication’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab. It notes that a standard toaster’s knobs and crevices can be difficult to reach, while toaster ovens have additional internal parts and are often used for foods that leave grease behind. Those differences inform the separate cleaning routines.
The report names example products, including all-purpose, glass and stainless-steel cleaners, but its central directions are about technique: unplug the appliance, avoid the heating elements, use a damp cloth or sponge for surfaces, and let washed or wiped parts dry before use. Readers should also follow their appliance maker’s care instructions, since the source does not discuss the requirements of every model or finish.
“Always unplug the toaster or toaster oven before cleaning it. Let it cool completely before you do anything else.”
— Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, as summarized in the report
Model-Specific Care Still Varies
The source does not specify a publication date, test results, or a cleaning schedule for either appliance. It also does not establish that every crumb tray, rack or pan is dishwasher-safe, nor does it cover every model’s coatings and manufacturer restrictions. Whether a removable part can be washed should be checked against the appliance manual; the report’s directions should not be taken as approval to immerse parts that are not designed for washing.
The article gives a minimum drying interval of five minutes for the toaster oven but does not set a universal drying time for all appliances or conditions. It does not discuss servicing an appliance with damaged wiring, persistent odors or malfunctioning heating elements. In those cases, its routine cleaning steps may not address the underlying issue.
Check the Manual Before Reuse
Before cleaning, readers can check the appliance’s manual for instructions on removable parts, approved cleaners and surfaces that must stay dry. Then unplug the unit, let it cool, remove crumbs and clean only accessible areas using the recommended tools. For a toaster oven, allow washed parts to air-dry and wait until the interior and exterior are dry before reconnecting it. The report sets no future deadline or follow-up; the next step is routine cleaning as needed, guided by each appliance maker’s directions.
Key Questions
Should I unplug a toaster before cleaning it?
Yes. Unplug it and let it cool completely before cleaning, according to the Good Housekeeping guidance.
Can I wash a toaster crumb tray?
The report says to clean the tray with a damp sponge or cloth, or, if it is removable, wash it in warm, soapy water, then rinse and dry it. Check the appliance manual for model-specific instructions.
How do I clean inside a toaster oven?
Remove crumbs, then wipe the interior with a sponge carrying all-purpose cleaner. Avoid the heating elements, and do not spray cleaner directly into the appliance.
When can I plug a toaster oven back in?
Wait until it is completely dry. Good Housekeeping specifies at least five minutes after cleaning, while also advising that removable parts be rinsed and air-dried.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
