How to clean a Ninja CREAMI quickly and thoroughly without cracking it – get back to making delicious homemade ice cream in less than 20 minutes

The Ninja CREAMI is a dessert-lover’s best friend, whipping up homemade frozen treats quickly. But how do you clean a Ninja CREAMI properly? With all those moving parts, it might not be immediately obvious.

The answer is thankfully simple. With a gentle hand and a bit of patience, you can remove all buildup to keep your frozen treat flavors from mixing, banish bacteria and prolong the life of your appliance, cleaning experts say. Just let the parts come back up to room temperature before tackling them to avoid cracking.

Here, the pros share the five steps you need to clean your best ice cream maker naturally and with no toxic chemicals.

How to clean a Ninja CREAMI without cracking it

Before you start cleaning a Ninja CREAMI, ensure that the appliance has been turned off and unplugged to avoid damaging the machine or injuring yourself during the process. Then, gather the following essential cleaning supplies:

• Warm water.
• Dish soap, such as Dawn dish soap, from Walmart.
• A soft cloth. Microfiber cloths, also from Walmart, are ideal and can be machine-washed and reused after cleaning.
• A fine brush, such as an old toothbrush, for awkward-to-reach corners.
• Optional: Baking soda, such as Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda, from Target, for stuck-on mess.

1. Take the removable parts out

With the unit unplugged and your tasty dessert emptied out, Sofia Martinez, cleaning expert and CEO of Sparkly Maid Austin, says, ‘Disassemble the parts immediately after use. The longer you wait, the more residue dries and sticks. Ice cream, especially dairy-based, turns stubborn fast.

‘As soon as I scoop out my last serving, I disassemble the unit: lid, paddle, outer bowl, and the pint. I don’t rinse anything just yet – I let them come to room temperature if they’re still cold. Sudden temperature shifts can cause warping or cracks.’

2. Wipe down the base with a damp cloth

Grubby fingerprints and minute splashes on appliance bases are one of the first things professional cleaners notice in dirty kitchens. So, even if the base unit doesn’t come into contact with your ice cream, give it a wipe over as you wait for the other components to come up to room temperature.

Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare, then adds, ‘Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the base unit, ensuring it is wrung out to remove as much excess water as possible. Never submerge the motorized base in water.’

3. Wash the container, lid, and paddle

Sofia continues, ‘I fill a basin with warm water and add a few drops of Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Baby Castile Soap, available at Amazon – my go-to for food-contact surfaces. It’s gentle, plant-based, and rinses clean with zero residue.

'I submerge the lid, paddle, and outer bowl for about 10–15 minutes. If you’ve used any nut butters or mix-ins, a soft bamboo dish brush, available at Target, helps loosen those bits without scratching.

‘Pay attention when cleaning a Ninja CREAMI lid, as it can hide build-up, especially around the locking mechanism,’ she adds. ‘I use an old toothbrush and clean with baking soda, making a paste with a little bit of warm water. It’s slightly abrasive but safe for plastics. I scrub around all crevices – especially where the paddle locks in – and rinse thoroughly.’

While the Ninja CREAMI components are one of the many things you can wash in the dishwasher, Sofia shares, ‘For the blade/paddle, I avoid dishwashers. Instead, I scrub it gently with the same Castile soap mix and rinse well.’

4. Rinse away soap suds

A common kitchen cleaning mistake is leaving soap suds behind on cookware and appliances, resulting in water marks and an ‘off’ taste to your food and desserts. Once you have finished scrubbing, rinse the components thoroughly with water to remove all traces before leaving them to air dry.

5. Dry thoroughly before reassembling

Scott concludes, ‘Make sure all parts are allowed to air dry completely before reassembling or putting away.’ Leaving water to sit in nooks and crannies can increase the risk of mold and musty smells in your appliance, affecting the taste of your desserts and possibly even making you sick.

You can dry the components with a towel if you want to speed the process up, but opt for a lint-free towel, such as these flour sack dish towels from Walmart, to avoid small fibers and streaks.

Ninja CREAMI cleaning essentials

FAQs

Are Ninja CREAMI’s dishwasher safe?

According to the Ninja, all parts of the Ninja CREAMI, except for the motorized base, are fully dishwasher safe so long as they are washed on the top rack. That being said, hand washing is the best way to ensure the longevity of your appliance.

Meet the experts

Scott Schrader

Scott is a cleaning expert at CottageCare, which is a leading home cleaning company with over 41 locations nationwide. He's a big believer in using eco-friendly cleaning solutions like baking soda.

Cleaning your Ninja CREAMI is a good time to check the parts over for damage or general wear and tear. Not doing so is a common mistake driving up bills and reducing appliance lifespans.

Check for parts that are dull or damaged, or appear to be discolored or tarnished, and replace any that are looking worse for wear. Cleaning correctly with the proper supplies can reduce this risk and prolong the lifespan of your product.