How to Clean a Grinder in 4 Easy Steps?

July 18, 2026

Clean a grinder - do I really need to do that? YES! A dirty grinder is a quick way to ruin your sesh with bad flavors, sticky teeth, reduced airflow, and, not to mention, your precious kief collection can take a hit (not in a good way). This is why we are here to break down the 4 easy steps to cleaning your grinder: Disassemble, Soak, Clean, and lastly Dry.

What Do I Need to Clean a Grinder?

90% Isopropyl alcohol
A toothbrush or a small detailing brush
Cotton swabs
Zip-lock or reusable silicone bag
Paper towels or a microfiber cloth

If you don't have cleaning tools for your grinder, you can always shop Gloop's curated collection of cleaning tools!

How to Clean a Grinder in 4 Easy Steps

Step 1: Disassemble your Grinder

Take apart your grinder piece by piece. Make sure the teeth, screen, & kief catcher are all separated.

Step 2: Soak in Alcohol

Place all your parts in a ziplock or reusable bag. Soak for 25-30 minutes and then use a toothbrush or cotton swab to wipe away any leftover residue.

Step 3: Cleaning your Screen

Use a toothbrush to gently clean the mesh screen in your grinder. Be extremely careful; this is the most delicate part of the grinder.

closeup of toothless grinder kief screen

Step 4: Dry & Reassemble

After you thoroughly clean your piece, dry it off with a microfiber cloth. It’s important to make sure no water or alcohol is left in your grinder, so resin doesn’t get stuck! After it’s dry, put it all back together.

Grinder Cleaning FAQ’s

How Do I Preserve My Kief?

If you want to clean your grinder but have lots of kief in your catcher, don’t worry we have a method for you! The freezer method allows you to preserve the kief by placing your grinder in the freezer and then scraping off all the kief and residue with a toothpick. This is the best way to save all that beautiful flower dust!

How Can I Tell My Grinder Needs Cleaning?

A good rule of thumb is to clean your grinder every few weeks. If you would like to wait for your grinder to tell you it needs to be cleaned, look out for sticky lids, caked-on resin, and stale flavor.

What is Regular Grinder Maintenance?

Here are some important tips to use to keep your grinder fresh: give your grinder a good brushing every few uses, don’t overload your grinder, and make sure you are storing it in a cool, dry place.

Conclusion: Keep Your Grinder Clean!

Now that you know cleaning your grinder is an easy 4-step process, will you promise us to give some TLC every once in a while? Especially since you have the knowledge now that using a dirty grinder will greatly affect your sessions. With a clean grinder, you say goodbye to stale flavors, sticky lids, and poor airflow. So what are you waiting for? Clean your grinder!!