A TikTok user has shared a simple hack to clean an air fryer basket using just two household items – and it doesn’t involve any scrubbing
Air fryers have become a must-have in the kitchen, but if not cleaned properly or regularly, they can cause problems. The design of the air fryer allows food particles, grease and oils to build up.
If neglected, this grime can accumulate and affect the appliance’s performance over time, resulting in substandard or unpleasant meals.
If your air fryer requires a deep clean, one TikToker has revealed a simple method using just two items, promising sparkling results in minutes without the need for hard scrubbing. Here’s what you need to do.
Before you begin cleaning, make sure all baskets are removed from the appliance. Then, generously sprinkle baking soda over the basket.
Baking soda is effective at tackling any build-up of grease and grime. Follow this by drizzling washing up liquid over the baking soda, reports the Express.
Next, TikToker Ida boils a kettle of water which she then pours over the air fryer baskets. The hot water will react with the baking soda and washing up liquid, helping to dislodge stubborn food particles.
Allow the solution to soak for 15 minutes. After the soaking period, discard the dirty water and rinse away any remaining residue with more water. All the grime should have loosened from the basket and be easily rinsed down the sink.
Baking soda has been praised as an outstanding cleaning solution, owing to its slightly abrasive consistency that tackles grime effortlessly.
Its rough texture proves ideal for removing persistent dirt and food particles, making the scrubbing task considerably easier.
Vanguard Cleaning emphasises another advantage of baking soda: its alkaline characteristics render it a superb odour eliminator, especially when dealing with stubborn food aromas in air fryers.
When mixed with washing-up liquid, the mixture acquires extra surfactants, which excel at surrounding and removing grease and grime from surfaces.
Beyond its cleaning capabilities, baking soda also serves as a natural deodoriser, guaranteeing that any lingering odours are completely eliminated after a thorough clean.
Dr Oetker explains the science behind baking soda’s smell-busting abilities, explaining: “Most nasty smells in the air contain some sort of acid. As an alkali, baking soda reacts with those acids and neutralises them.”