How to Use a Salad Spinner

Co-authored by Abyssinia Campbell and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: June 4, 2022 References

Looking to make the tastiest and crispiest salad? Then a salad spinner will be your best friend! Salad spinners are an awesome kitchen gadget that can help you wash and dry your lettuce in a matter of seconds. Interested in how to use one? Keep reading because we’ve got the best tips on using and cleaning a salad spinner.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Salad Spinner

1
Chop or tear the lettuce. Breaking up your lettuce will make it easier to spin and eat. Roll up a bunch of lettuce to cut into strips with a knife, or tear the lettuce with your hands.
- If large pieces are your jam, not a problem! Just make sure your lettuce can fit inside the salad spinner.
2
Take the basket out of the salad spinner. Most salad spinners come with 3 parts: the bowl, basket, and top. The basket looks like a colander and fits inside the bowl.^{[1]
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3
Place the lettuce pieces inside the bowl and rinse. Pour cold water on top of the lettuce until the bowl is full. Wash the lettuce by swirling the lettuce in the water with your hands until it’s thoroughly rinsed.^{[2]
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- Set the bowl in an empty sink under the tap so you can swish the lettuce around while it’s filling up.
4
Scoop the lettuce out of the bowl and into the basket. Use your hands to transfer the lettuce from the water-filled bowl to the empty basket, letting any excess water drip into the bowl. Repeat this until all the lettuce is in the basket.^{[3]
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5
Empty the bowl. Set the basket of lettuce aside and pour the water down the drain.^{[4]
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6
Set the basket of rinsed lettuce inside the bowl. Make sure all of the water from the bowl is drained, and everything is nice and clean.^{[6]
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- Try setting a dry paper towel on the top of your lettuce. This will gather even more moisture from the lettuce.^{[7]
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7
Pop on the lid and spin. Click the lid into place and use the knob, string, pump, or handle of your salad spinner to spin your lettuce. After 1 to 3 pumps, pulls, or rotations, let go and wait for the basket to stop spinning.^{[8]
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- Salad spinners with knobs and handles typically require you to manually spin the basket using circular motions.
- Salad spinners with strings use a single pull to get spinning.
- Salad spinners with pumps need you to push a button-like mechanism repeatedly.
- If you spin your salad and it’s not drying, drain the water from the bowl and try again. It may take a few cycles to get completely dry depending on your spinner and the amount of lettuce.
8
Plate your salad or store it in the fridge for later. Dump the lettuce into a large dish and toss with your favorite toppings, or store the basket of lettuce in the fridge to keep everything crisp before your meal.^{[9]
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- If you’re storing the lettuce in the fridge for later, lay the damp paper towel you used while spinning over the basket. This will help everything stay nice and fresh.^{[10]
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- Typically, lettuce can last in the fridge for 7 to 10 days when washed.^{[11]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Cleaning a Salad Spinner

1
Use a sponge to wash the bowl and basket. Treat the salad spinner’s parts like any other dish in your kitchen. A good soapy rinse and scrub between uses will keep your salad spinner clean and ready to use.
- You may not need to wash your salad spinner with soap and water after every use. A good rinse after spinning clean vegetables or lettuce can do the trick.^{[12]
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2
Wash manual salad spinner lids with soap and water. Many salad spinners use good old hand power to spin. With nothing electronic powering this gadget, it can easily be cleaned with the bowl and basket with soap and water.
3
Dismantle the lid of an OXO Salad Spinner and clean the parts by hand. Some salad spinners, like the OXO, have an enclosed part on the lid that can trap water and get moldy. If you have this salad spinner, follow these steps to make sure the inside of the lid is clean:^{[13]
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- Make sure the pump is unlocked, and flip the lid upside down.
- Use a screwdriver or butterknife to move and rotate the 3 plastic lock tabs on the outside of the enclosed mechanism.
- Pull the pump off the lid so you have 3 pieces: the pump, lid, and spring.
- Clean the parts using soap and water, making sure they dry completely before reassembling.
- Put the spring back on the lid around the center pole.
- Align the locking tabs and the pump’s corkscrew with the lid while placing it over the spring.
- Turn the lid upside down once everything’s in place and use the screwdriver or butterknife to lock the locking tabs back into place.
4
Put your salad spinner in the dishwasher if it’s dishwasher safe. Nowadays, most kitchen gadgets can be placed in the dishwasher—but it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry! Read the product’s manual, box, or description on the product seller’s website to make sure the spinner and basket can withstand the dishwasher's heat.