As the new year begins, many households are turning their attention to a post-festive deep clean, with one kitchen gadget often in desperate need of attention: the trusty air fryer.
The Expert's No-Scrub Cleaning Method
Cleaning enthusiast and popular TikTok creator Chantel Mila has shared her remarkably simple technique for tackling stubborn, greasy build-up. The method requires just three common household items and promises impressive results without any strenuous scrubbing.
According to a report in the Express, the process begins by removing the air fryer basket from the appliance. The key is to combine equal parts baking soda and washing-up liquid directly in the basket.
Next, freshly boiled water is poured over the mixture, causing the baking soda to fizz and activate. This powerful combination is then left to sit and work its magic on the grime for approximately ten minutes.
Why This Powerful Duo Works So Well
The effectiveness of this hack lies in the chemistry of the ingredients. Baking soda is a mild alkali with gentle abrasive properties, making it ideal for cutting through grease without damaging surfaces. As highlighted by Dr Oetker, it can shift tough dirt without causing undue wear and tear.
Furthermore, its alkaline nature makes it a superb natural deodoriser. "Most nasty smells in the air contain some sort of acid. As an alkali, baking soda reacts with those acids and neutralises them," Dr Oetker explains. This is perfect for eliminating lingering food odours from your appliance.
The washing-up liquid introduces surfactants into the mix. These molecules reduce surface tension, allowing water to mix with and lift away oily residues. Vanguard Cleaning notes that this combination effectively surrounds and lifts grease and dirt particles, while the detergent also targets bacteria that baking soda alone might not reach.
A Effortless Start to the New Year
After the ten-minute soak, you can simply tip out the now-dirty water. Chantel Mila insists no elbow grease or scrubbing is required – the chemical reaction and surfactants do all the hard work for you.
For particularly stubborn patches, you can opt to create a thicker paste from the baking soda and washing-up liquid before applying it. This same powerful mixture is also recommended for cleaning oily kitchen worktops and other greasy cookware.
This timely advice, shared on 2nd January 2026, offers a hassle-free solution to a common post-holiday chore, helping to restore a much-used kitchen essential to its gleaming best for the year ahead.
