How to Clean a Cheese Grater: The Best Ways to Do It Easily!

If you're an avid reader of ours, you know we've been preaching the dangers of buying pre-shredded cheese: it’s often coated with anti-caking agents; not to mention that freshly grated cheese just tastes better—melts more smoothly, has a fresher flavor, and doesn’t come with unwanted additives. But there’s one downside we can’t ignore: cleaning the cheese grater. After all, you can’t just scrub it like any other utensil, and sometimes, the grater’s holes become so clogged with cheese that it feels like you’re chiseling at a mini fortress of dairy. But don’t worry, we’ve got an easy method that works every time, and yes, you’ll still have energy left to enjoy your perfectly grated Parmesan.

The Best Way to Clean Your Cheese Grater

The moment you finish grating, resist the temptation to set your grater aside to “deal with later.” That cheese is drying faster than you think, so it’s better to tackle it right away. Start by rinsing the grater under warm water to loosen any lingering cheese. Next, grab a stiff-bristled brush or a sponge and gently scrub in the same direction you grated—this helps avoid snagging on the sharp edges. If you want a real secret weapon, use half a lemon or potato to rub down the grater; the acidity in the lemon helps break down the cheese, and the potato… well, it just works (don’t ask us how, it’s kitchen magic). Finish by rinsing it thoroughly, ensuring no soap residue lingers, and dry the grater by tapping it on a towel or letting it air dry completely. Bonus: leaving it to dry naturally makes it less likely to rust.

How to Free the Cheese Stuck in Those Tiny Holes

Sometimes, no matter how meticulous you are, bits of cheese get lodged in the grater's smallest holes like they’ve taken up permanent residence. In this case, you’ll need to break out the toothpicks or a small brush designed for cleaning kitchen tools. Carefully poke out the stubborn cheese, making sure you don’t scrape your fingers in the process. Another trick? Use some uncooked rice and rub it across the surface; the grains can dislodge the stuck pieces while gently scraping the inside of the holes. Once you’ve evicted every last bit of cheese, give it a good rinse and let it dry as usual.

Does This Work for Citrus Zest Too?

Ah, zesting citrus—a culinary delight until you're faced with cleaning up those tiny, tangy bits. Fortunately, the same cleaning method you use for cheese can work wonders for zest too. After zesting, follow the warm water rinse and scrubbing steps we outlined, but be a bit gentler. Citrus is less sticky than cheese, so it shouldn’t give you as much trouble, but it can dry fast. If bits of zest get stuck in the holes, the toothpick method will do the trick, or give it another swipe with a potato for good measure (yes, the potato’s back).

To Dishwasher or Not to Dishwasher?

Now, the million-dollar question: can you just pop the cheese grater in the dishwasher and call it a day? Well, that depends. Some cheese graters are dishwasher-safe, but over time, frequent dishwashing can dull the blades, especially with metal graters. If your dishwasher tends to make things disappear to the land of no return, you might want to handle this one yourself. However, if you’re really in a pinch and the grater is labeled as dishwasher-safe, place it on the top rack where it’s exposed to less heat and wear. For plastic graters or those less prone to wear and tear, the dishwasher can do the heavy lifting, but for your favorite sharp-edged metal grater, a quick hand wash is your best bet to preserve its life—and its ability to grate cheese like a champ.