Take a close look at your salt and pepper shakers. They’re among the items you use nearly every day but probably never really look at. And like it or not, they definitely get dirty, both inside and out.

Swipe through to learn how to clean your salt and pepper shakers.

Weekly Wiping

Once a week, use a damp cloth to gently and carefully wipe the outside of the shakers. Shakers kept near the stove may need more frequent cleaning because of grease splatters. You don’t have to remove the seasonings for this type of cleaning; just be careful not to spill. Don’t use soap—just a lightly moistened cloth will do.

Things to Know

Most folks do a thorough clean on a shaker when it runs empty. Set it aside while you get ready to start your day and then come back to it after work to give it a good cleaning. Alternatively, you can empty the seasonings into small bowls while you clean the shakers. Whenever you clean, do it carefully because many shakers are made of fragile materials like ceramic or glass.

Photography: Amazon

Rinse

Rinse your empty shakers completely. Get all the little grains out of the inside and rinse off the outside thoroughly, too.

Soak

Fill a bowl with warm water and mild dish liquid. Immerse the shakers and let them soak for 20 minutes or so. Don’t soak metal lids, however, as they can rust.

Photography: Amazon

Scrub

When the shakers are finished soaking, give them a good scrub. With a fresh mixture of water and dish soap, use a clean sponge or wet rag to clean the outside, and use a bottle brush to clean the inside. If your shakers are oddly shaped, be sure to get into all the nooks and crannies with your bottle brush.

Photography: Amazon

Rinse Again

When the shakers are clean, rinse them thoroughly. Immerse them in a bowl of clean water, and then rinse them under a running tap to be sure to remove all residue.

Photography: Amazon

Dry

Allow your shakers to completely dry by simply leaving them on the drain rack, if you like. Or hasten the process with the use of a small fan or a portable hair dryer. Just be very certain the insides are totally dry before re-adding your seasonings.

Photography: Amazon