Short, safe, and no perfume aftertaste. Here’s the fastest way to get your grinder spinning like new.
What you’ll need
- Small brush (old toothbrush or paintbrush)
- Cotton swabs / toothpick
- Paper towel or microfiber cloth
- Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — metal grinders only
- Warm water + a drop of unscented dish soap — acrylic/wood only
Flavor rule: avoid strongly scented soaps and let everything dry 100% before reassembly.
5-Minute Quick Clean (metal grinders)
- Disassemble
Separate all sections. Tap each piece over paper to shake out loose herb/kief. - Dry brush first
Brush teeth, threads, and the kief screen (from the underside) to remove stuck bits. - Targeted ISO wipe
Lightly dampen a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol. Wipe the teeth, threads, and screen frame. For the screen, dab—don’t scrub—to avoid stretching it. - Fast rinse
Quick rinse under warm water to remove alcohol residue. - Dry completely
Pat with a paper towel, then air-dry for 2–3 minutes. If you’re impatient, use cool air from a hair dryer. Reassemble and do a couple of empty twists to clear any last moisture.
Pro tip: Pour the used ISO onto a clean plate and let it evaporate—scrape the reclaim if you want to save it.
If your grinder is acrylic or wood
- Acrylic: Skip alcohol (it can cloud or crack plastic). Use warm water + a tiny drop of unscented soap, brush gently, rinse, and dry fully.
- Wood: No soaking, no alcohol. Dry brush + toothpick only; finish with a barely-there wipe using a slightly damp cloth. Let it air-dry completely.
Deep-clean option (when you have more than 5 minutes)
- Freezer trick (20–30 min): Freeze parts, then tap/brush—cold resin flakes off easily.
- ISO soak (metal only): Short soak (5–10 min) for lids and chambers—not the screen. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Keep the flavor fresh
- Use unscented products only.
- Always fully dry to avoid metallic or musty notes.
- After reassembly, grind a small pinch of herb and toss it—this “seasons” the grinder.
Quick FAQs
Why avoid alcohol on acrylic/wood?
Alcohol can cloud or weaken plastics and strip wood finishes.
Screen totally clogged?
Lay it screen-down on a paper towel. From the back, dab with an ISO-damp swab (metal screens only), then brush gently. If it’s glued, avoid long soaks.
Grinder still sticky after cleaning?
You likely didn’t dry it fully. Disassemble, let it air out, then do a few empty twists.
Grab what you need
- Cleaning supplies – brushes, ISO wipes, screen savers
- New grinders – metal, acrylic, wood, travel-sized
Need help picking the right cleaner or a replacement screen? Send us a photo and we’ll point you to the exact fit.
