How to Clean a Milk Frother

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Co-authored by Florisa-Leila Ramos

Last Updated: March 10, 2025

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Cleaning a Handheld Milk Frother

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Cleaning an Electric Milk Frother

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Expert Interview

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Tips

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Warnings

Milk frothers are just like any appliance - they get dirty. The process of cleaning the frother is simple. This article will show you how to clean your milk frother.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Cleaning a Handheld Milk Frother

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Turn your milk frother off. Unplug it if the tool runs on electricity. Let the device cool down.
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Hold the dirty wand with the whisk under a faucet and hand-wash it with warm water. Be gentle when you clean around the coil so that you don't break it. Use a brush to clean the coil, if it holds any milk residue.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Florisa-Leila Ramos
Cleaning Expert

Expert Interview} If the wand has any limestone deposits, soak its whisking part in warm water with lemon juice/citric acid or other cleaners that eliminate milk buildup.
- You may also submerge the dirty whisk in a vessel with warm water and let the device spin for several seconds.^{[2]
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  Research source}
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Give your frother a periodic thorough cleaning with a thick cleaning detergent to prevent the formation of milk deposits. Sanitation with a detergent extends the service life of the tool.
Dip the whisk into the soapy water and turn the frother on for several seconds. Keep the electric parts of the frother away from water.^{[3]
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Research source} You may use dish liquid or liquid soap.
Let the device work for 10-15 seconds to wash away the remnants of the cleaning agent. You can repeat this stage several times. Use clear water each time. Give the wand a thorough rinsing if any detergent has been used.
If there are dirty spots on the handle, wipe it with a damp cloth.^{[4]
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Research source} Clean the cord with a wet fabric and dry it with a clean paper towel.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Cleaning an Electric Milk Frother

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Make sure that all the items that you are going to clean are not heated up. Unplug the tool from the outlet.
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Dismantle all of the removable parts. Put them aside, somewhere away from the sink. Remove the milk jug from the base. Detach other removable parts of the frother, like the frothing and heating disks. Both the base and the pitcher are not compatible with dishwashers and should be hand-washed.
- If the lid of the device has a seal, remove it, as well.^{[5]
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If there is any caked milk remaining on the bottom, wash it off with a non-abrasive sponge. You may use dish liquid or any other soft detergent. If you notice any limestone deposits, scrub them gently. You can also use citric acid or lemon juice. You can also use citric acid or lemon juice. Apply other cleaners that break down milk protein buildup. Don’t scratch the non-stick surface inside the carafe.
You may also make a paste from bicarbonate of soda and water. Apply it on the bottom of the carafe for 10-15 minutes. Do not use knives or other metal objects to clean the burnt milk residue. Don’t expose the electric part of the device to moisture.
All the detached attachments should be hand-washed separately with warm soapy water.
If necessary, add dish soap and clean them with a brush. Do not damage the fragile whisks during cleanup.
Don’t use any chemicals for cleaning the stainless steel, because they may cause rust and discoloration.
Dab all the screws with kitchen roll paper.^{[6]
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Research source} Make sure that they are all dry before storing.
Place the disks in their position or in the storage compartment. Attach the seal back to the lid.

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Tips

Wash your device immediately after use to avoid the formation of calcium deposits.

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Perform these cleanups periodically.

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You can use special cleaners which break down milk protein build-up.

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Warnings

Don’t use chemicals for cleaning stainless steel, because they may cause rust and discoloration.

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Don't clean the appliance while it's plugged in.

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Never use abrasive sponges for cleaning. Most frothers have a non-stick cover that can be easily scratched up.

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Never use metal objects (such as a spoon or knife) to clean the burnt milk residue.

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Don’t expose the electric part of the device to moisture.

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