7 Pro-Approved Air Fryer Cleaning Hacks, From $5

We’ve all been there: You finish cooking a meal, and when it’s time to clean the appliance you used, you decide you’ll get to it later. Hours, days, or even weeks pass, and when it’s time to use it again, you’re faced with a greasy mess that could have been avoided. 

Air fryers are amazing tools in the kitchen, cutting time and energy spent on making French fries, chicken wings, veggies, and even protein mains — and while they might seem like a pain to clean, if you have the right tools, you can have them looking brand new in seconds. We asked some cleaning pros about their favorite hacks for cleaning air fryers, and their answers actually made us want to roll up our sleeves and clean (after cooking a big air fryer feast, of course). Read on for expert-approved ways to keep your air fryer clean, from $5.

Best Air Fryer Cleaning Hacks

• Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser, $7, originally $10
• Scrub Daddy Power Paste, $30
• Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths, Pack of 24, $8
• Mrs. Meyer’s All-Purpose Spray, $5
• Krud Kutter Original Degreaser, $12
• Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner Kit, $22, originally $24
• Corto Truly Olive Oil, $26

Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser

Bar Keepers Friend is beloved by hospitality workers far and wide (hence its name) for how effortlessly it removes grime and stains from cookware, drinkware, and kitchen tools. Designers and cleaning pros love it, too. “It works wonders on sticky residue and built-up grease without scratching surfaces. Just a little scrub with a non-abrasive sponge and you’re good to go,” said Angelia York, vice president of Saint Louis Closet Co.

Scrub Daddy Power Paste

Scrub Daddy is certainly one of the giants of home cleaning (we said its sponges are the best dish scrubber in the game for cleaning stainless steel). The brand’s cleaning paste comes with a flexible brush so you can get down and dirty when giving your air fryer a thorough clean. “This stuff is perfect for getting in those hard-to-reach air fryer spots,” said York.

Amazon Basics Microfiber Cloths, Pack of 24

Naturally, if you’re using a cleaner, you’ll need something to wipe it with, and many cleaning experts recommend less abrasive cloths. “Wipe down the interior of the unit with a soft, damp cloth and mild dish soap. Dry thoroughly. Don’t forget to clean the exterior, too!” said Kathy Cohoon, operations manager at Two Maids. This $8 pack from Amazon comes with two dozen cloths and has over 63,600 five-star ratings.

Mrs. Meyer’s All-Purpose Spray

If you keep your air fryer clean, it might not always require a serious scrub. “For quick, everyday cleanup, I always keep microfiber cloths and plant-based degreasers like Mrs. Meyer’s All-Purpose Spray on hand. They’re gentle, effective, and smell great, too!” said York.

Krud Kutter Kitchen Degreaser

Some pros even rely on their mixtures to get the job done, like Scott Shrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare. “Air fryers are tricky, and that baked-on oily buildup inside baskets, insert trays, and heater tubes doesn’t rinse off with soap and water. My preferred method for cleaning greasy kitchen appliances, especially air fryers, involves grease-cutting dish soap like Dawn Ultra, combined with a plant-based degreaser like Krud Klutter kitchen degreaser,” he shared. “Both are tried-and-true for cleaning greasy messes in residential kitchens. Air fryers are tricky, and that baked-on oily buildup inside baskets, insert trays, and heater tubes doesn’t rinse off with soap and water.” 

Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner Kit

If your appliances have stainless steel on their exteriors, there are cleaning solutions that are specifically made for that. “For stainless steel surfaces, I love Weiman stainless steel cleaner and polish,” said Shrader. “It cuts through the fingerprints and grease in seconds, and leaves the surface shiny and streak-free while helping to repel grease and smudges in the future.” This set comes with spray polish, wipes, and even a microfiber cloth, giving you everything you need to clean not only air fryers but also dishwashers, microwaves, stoves, and much more.

Corto Truly Olive Oil

This wouldn’t be a worthwhile list of pro tips without at least one hack you probably didn’t know about. And this was a new one for us: Cohoon said she uses olive oil when cleaning some appliances. Corto makes a great one. “While it’s a kitchen staple for cooking, it also works wonders as a natural polish for stainless steel appliances,” she explained. “Just a small amount on a microfiber cloth, applied in circular motions along the grain, can restore shine and leave surfaces looking like new. Oil not only enhances the finish but also forms a protective barrier that helps repel fingerprints and smudges.” The more you know!