How to Clean Your Ninja Slushi (Properly, Without Wrecking It)

I skipped cleaning my Ninja Slushi properly for about a week when I first got it. Quick rinse, call it done, move on with my life. Then I made a lemonade slush and it tasted faintly of the margarita from four days earlier. Lesson learned.

The Slushi is genuinely not hard to clean -- the whole routine takes about three minutes when you do it right. Here's what actually works.

What comes apart

Four removable parts: the outer bowl (holds the liquid), the inner chilling cylinder, the auger, and the lid. The motor base doesn't come apart and shouldn't get wet beyond a wipe-down.

After every use: the three-minute routine

This is the routine I do after every single batch, and it takes about as long as it takes to pour another drink.

Pour out the remaining slush first. Don't try to clean around it. Transfer to a cup or dump it.

Fill the outer bowl with warm water and a drop of dish soap. Put the lid on and run the machine on Low for 30-60 seconds. The auger spins and cleans itself. Pour it out.

Rinse with plain water. Same process -- fill, run briefly on Low, pour out.

Wipe the inner cylinder with a soft damp cloth. No abrasive scrubbers. The cylinder surface is what creates the freeze, and scratches affect how the slush forms on it.

Let everything air dry with the lid off. Trapping moisture is what causes the residue smell that made me stop ignoring the cleaning step.

What goes in the dishwasher

The outer bowl and lid are dishwasher safe on the top rack. The auger too.

The inner chilling cylinder is hand-wash only. Dishwasher heat and detergent can degrade the coating over time, and that coating is the whole mechanism. Don't risk it.

The motor base: damp cloth only, never submerge it or run it under water.

Sticky residue

Sugary drinks -- my Classic Cola Slush and Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Slush both qualify -- leave a film inside the bowl, especially around the bottom. If warm water isn't cutting it, soak the bowl in warm soapy water for 5-10 minutes before the rinse cycle. A soft bottle brush handles the inside of the bowl and the spiral groove on the auger, which is where residue hides.

Anything with dairy needs to be rinsed immediately after use. Dairy sets faster than sugar and is harder to remove once it dries.

Once a week

If you're using the machine regularly, a slightly more thorough clean once a week prevents cumulative buildup.

1. Disassemble all four parts.
2. Soak the outer bowl, auger, and lid in warm soapy water for 5-10 minutes.
3. Wipe the inner cylinder thoroughly, including the base where it meets the motor.
4. Wipe down the motor housing and outside of the machine.
5. Let everything dry completely before reassembling.

If the slush still tastes like something else

This is the inner cylinder. Wipe it down with a cloth dampened in a 50/50 white vinegar and water mix, then rinse with plain water. Vinegar cuts through flavor residue that soap doesn't always reach. Do the same for the auger if the issue continues.

For other Slushi troubleshooting, the 7-fix freezing guide has you covered on the most common machine issues.