Spring Cleaning is Here! Organize and Declutter Your Home Today.
I don’t know about you, but I love my toaster oven. Toaster ovens are versatile and convenient for small spaces; they cook almost anything, reheat food better than microwaves or air fryers, and, of course, toast bread. However, crumbs and grease can build up and become a fire risk. Here are some tips on how to keep your toaster oven clean.
First, empty the crumb tray from the bottom of the toaster oven with each use, dumping out any crumbs and cleaning any food splatters or grease. Use a damp dish towel or sponge, warm water, and dish soap to clean it if necessary. You should also try to keep your toaster oven unplugged when not in use to prevent potential fires. 
How often you clean your toaster oven depends on usage, as residue builds up with each use. Clean it thoroughly when you notice food buildup or detect smoke or unusual smells. You will need:
Unplug: Disconnect the toaster oven and let it cool before cleaning.
Clean Removable Parts: Place the oven on newspaper, remove the crumb tray, rack, and pan. Wash with warm, soapy water—avoid harsh pads to prevent scratches. Soak stubborn stains overnight if needed, then air dry.
Clean the Interior: Use a sponge dipped in a mix of ½ cup hot water and 2 tablespoons vinegar or dish soap to wipe down interior surfaces. 
Clean Heating Elements: Wipe heating elements gently with a damp towel; consult your manual first.
Clean the Exterior: Clean exterior surfaces and the glass door with your water/vinegar mixture or glass cleaner. Ensure all parts are dry before plugging back in.
Dust can generally be removed easily, but toaster ovens may accumulate sticky residue due to heated exteriors. Heat can cause oil and dust to form a film. To minimize this, regularly clean the exterior with a soapy sponge or towel and vinegar spray. If residue builds up, and normal cleaning is not working, use a grease-cutting cleaner such as Bar Keeper’s Friend Soft Cleaner, not the powder, or Krud Kutter can help remove it effectively.
Another thing I found was that lightly abrasive materials, like baking soda or specialty sponges, did a decent job. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work well for removing light browning on the door, glass, or side walls, but tough bits of stuck-on food can tear them to shreds. For particularly tricky smudges, I make a paste of baking soda and water, apply it to stuck-on stains, and let it sit for 30 minutes. After it soaks, spray with vinegar and let sit at least 30 minutes. You should be able to wipe it away with a paper towel or microfiber cloth.
