Urgh... as much as I love my Thermomix, I do NOT love cleaning it. It's kinda a bit of a pain in the bum to take it all apart to wash it - but unfortunately, it's just one of those things that has got to be done! Thankfully, there are a few quick and easy cleaning tips that will have your Thermie looking brand new again..
1. Get rid of odours
Add 2 teaspoon bi-carb soda, 1 litre of water and ¼ cup lemon juice to the TM bowl. Heat for 10-15 minutes on Varoma, Speed 3.
2. Get rid of brown marks on the bottom of the bowl
Yep we all know the marks you get when you've cooked something a little high or for a little too long. Well, you can kiss goodbye to those marks by mixing together a paste of bi-carb soda and water and spread over the base of the bowl. Leave for 5-10 minutes and then give it a scrub.
3. Easy washing
Every time I'm finished using the Thermomix, I add a little squirt of dishwashing liquid and half fill the bowl with water. Pulse on Turbo a few times until the bowl is clean. Then all it will need is a quick little rinse. Easy peasy!
4. A really 'good' clean
Sometimes your Thermie needs more than just a quick little rinse. For a more thorough clean, add 750g water, 250g vinegar and 2tbs bi-carb soda. Heat for 10-15 minutes on Varoma, Speed 3-4.
5. Remove burnt or 'stuck on' foods
Place a lemon cut in half into the TM bowl. Chop on Speed 9 for 10 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add 400g of water and heat for 10-15 minutes on Varoma, Speed 3-4. Rinse and wipe.
6. Clean your blades
It might sound strange, but egg shells are the perfect thing to use to clean your Thermie blades. Add enough water to cover the blades and then toss in any empty egg shells you have. Press Turbo 15-20 times. Rinse and wipe. This is the perfect clean to do just after you've finished making a cake and you have empty egg shells laying around.
7. In between the blades
Urgh we all know how hard it is to clean between the blades. Make it super easy by using a toothbrush! Yep, the little bristles will get into all the teeny spots and clean it perfectly.
8. Pop it in the dishwasher
Don't forget that your bowls, blades, lids, Varoma, spatula, basket and measuring cups can go in your dishwasher! Just don't pop your recipe chip or the white motor base in there!
9. Drying your bowl
This is a neat little trick I only learnt recently. To dry your bowl, simply pop a tea towel into the TM bowl and mix on Reverse Speed 2 for 15 seconds. How easy is that!
10. Remove smells from your lid
To get rid of any odours on your TM lid, simply make a thick paste with bi-carb soda and water and spread of the inside of the lid. Leave for 15 minutes and then rinse well.
What other Thermomix cleaning hints and tips can you share with us?
Maxine Barry says
Hi there. Originally I put my Thermomix bowl in the dishwasher to clean. Now the handle has a whitish appearance. Do you have any tips to restore it to original condition?
GK Poh says
Hi, you mentioned bi-carb soda in list #1. Is bi-carb soda the same as baking soda, if not, where to buy them? can't find it in the grocery store (USA)?
Lucy Mathieson says
Hi there, yes bi-carb soda and baking soda are the same thing. 🙂
christina says
Hello!So happy to have find you!I am new to the thermomix experience. The blades got stains like rust.I uses vinegar and mostly went away.Doew anybody know if I can make a solution and wash them?Or any other idea?Thank you!
Merryn says
For burnt on marks at the bottom of the bowl I put warm water up to the top of the blades, add 1/3 dishwashing tablet and cook on speed 4 for 10 minutes at 100C.
Rokia Gray says
Hey I'm just wondering if anyone knows how to clean down inside that little hole in the machine itself. You know the one thats at the back? TM31 model.
I haven't spilt anything down there but it looks like theres some kind of sediment and its annoying me! Lol.
Thanks 🙂
Stephen says
Maybe push n pull thru a thin kitchen dishcloth, as thats what is used around here.
Aaron says
I use the Cleaning brush for steel straws that are on the market
Lauren Matheson says
That is such a great idea!
Dipster says
I bought a set of cleaning brushes off eBay $3 for getting into those small spaces in between the blades
Lucy says
Perfect!! It really is tricky to clean between the blades!!
Sandra says
Does anyone know how to clean the bits of chicken that get stuck in the varoma dish after steaming it?
Madame Thermomix says
To get those yucky bits of chicken or fish out of the Varoma steamer, just use a dish brush and whoosh the bristles in and out of the holes. Rinse well then pop into the dishwasher. Works a treat!
Janet says
I use those magic eraser things to give it a nice shine. Just wipe over then dry.
Lauren says
What a great idea!
Lucy says
Great tips, thank you!
As a Consultant we have been advised not to recommend the Tea Towel in the jug to dry it trick.
Priscilla says
I can honestly say that since I've had my Thermomixes (TM31 & 5) I could count on one hand the number of times I have pulled them apart to clean them. I don't have a dishwasher, but believe that as soon as your dish is finished, you remove it from the TM bowl immediately, and do the self clean; 5 seconds/speed5-6 forwards, 5 seconds/speed 5-6 reverse, return to forward then Turbo for a couple of seconds. Even if you have to leave the bowl at this stage and wash and rinse it later, it is not a problem. Depending upon the mixture you have made, you can use cold water or warm with literally a drop of dishwashing liquid.
Lucy says
The self clean is the BEST! We totally agree!
Madame Thermomix says
As an advisor, I really recommend taking your Thermomix apart every time you clean it. I have seen some real horrors in the bottom of some never-opened bowls : green gunk and bacteria and old rotted food under the blade and rubber washer!! For hygiene and food safety's sake, I urge you to take your bowl apart at least every now and then.
Catherine Derby says
Thank you for this post, it's life saving! I just got a my Thermomix as a gift from my mother and I needed to find the best recipes for cleaning it. I prefer to stat caring for it properly from the beginning, than having problems later. A friend of mine had some wrong cleaning habits about her Thermomix and a few months after she had it brand new, she had to buy a new one, such a pity. Thank you for sharing these great recipes and advises. I'm definitely having them on mind for the next cleaning!
Lucy says
Thank you! We're so glad you found them helpful! xx
Linda Laming says
I find that making a little caster sugar (then throw it away) does a great job of making your bowl come clean too.
I also have two seal rings. One for sweet cooking and one for savoury.
Lauren says
What a great idea, I'll have to try it!
Bronte Hannah says
Hey,
Thanks for the tips!
Do you have any tips on how to get rid of stains from curries?
My lid is a shade of green at the moment :/
marj says
Put the lid out into the sunshine, it took 1 hour for my turmeric stains to fade away.
Lucy says
Thats an awesome tip!
Rhi says
I use a baby's bottle teat brush to clean those tricky bits at base of blades:)
Lucy says
That's a great tip!!!
Kat - The Organised Housewife says
I have to say i am with you on the cleaning part of the thermomix! But i love the easy tips you have listed.:)
Lucy says
Thanks Kat!!