Air fryers have revolutionised home cooking across the UK, becoming an indispensable appliance in countless kitchens. However, maintaining their cleanliness often presents a significant challenge for owners, with stubborn grease and grime proving particularly difficult to remove from the basket and interior components.
The Viral TikTok Solution That Requires Minimal Effort
Fortunately, a straightforward cleaning technique has gained popularity on social media platform TikTok, promising to restore air fryers to looking "as good as new" without the need for intensive scrubbing. The method requires just two common household items that most people already have stored in their kitchen cupboards.
Ciara's Simple Two-Ingredient Method
TikTok user @TheTummyFairy, known as Ciara, demonstrated what she describes as the "easiest way" to clean air fryers effectively. Her approach involves combining washing-up liquid with baking soda to create a powerful cleaning solution.
The step-by-step process is remarkably simple:
- Squeeze a generous amount of washing-up liquid into the air fryer basket
- Add approximately a quarter cup of baking soda
- Pour boiling water from a kettle into the basket until the ingredients are completely submerged
- Allow the mixture to fizz and work its magic for around 20 minutes
- Empty the solution down the sink and rinse the basket thoroughly with warm water
Ciara reported that this combination effectively cuts through accumulated grease, leaving the appliance looking "like brand new" with minimal physical effort required.
Alternative Method Using Dishwasher Tablets
Another popular variation of this cleaning hack comes from TikTok user @lifebytheparsons, who specialises in sharing household tips and cleaning solutions. This approach substitutes the washing-up liquid and baking soda with a single dishwasher tablet.
The alternative method follows these steps:
- Place a dishwasher tablet directly into the air fryer basket or tray
- Pour boiling water over the tablet until it's fully covered
- Slot the tray back into the air fryer (keeping the appliance switched off)
- Close the drawer to create a steaming effect that helps loosen dirt
- Allow the solution to soak for approximately 20 minutes
The cleaning enthusiast explained that this steaming process significantly softens stubborn residue, meaning "hardly any scrubbing" is necessary afterward. The grease and grime become sufficiently loosened that they can be easily wiped away following the soaking period.
Why These Methods Prove So Effective
Both cleaning approaches leverage chemical reactions and heat to break down stubborn grease deposits that accumulate through regular air fryer use. The combination of washing-up liquid (which contains degreasing agents) with baking soda (a mild abrasive with cleaning properties) creates a fizzy reaction when combined with hot water that helps lift grease from surfaces.
Similarly, dishwasher tablets contain powerful cleaning agents designed to cut through food residue and grease, making them particularly effective for this application when combined with the steaming action created by closing the air fryer drawer.
These methods offer significant advantages over traditional cleaning approaches, which often involve laborious scrubbing that can potentially damage non-stick coatings. The soaking process allows the cleaning agents to penetrate and break down grease without requiring abrasive physical action.
As air fryers continue to grow in popularity across British households, such practical maintenance tips become increasingly valuable for ensuring appliances remain in optimal condition while minimising cleaning time and effort.
