Bleaching my Champion?

[Zaphirah]

My champion looks NASTY. It's all stained from carrots and blueberries and I just can't seem to get all the tiny grooves and nooks. I have been toying with the idea of bleaching it. I haven't yet because I am concerned that it will hurt the integrity of the plastic. I know some raw foodies even bleach their food-so maybe a drop of bleach in a gallon of water is harmless??? (but my gut tells me NO...hmmmmm.....what do you think/know about this?)

[goingrawchelle]

I'm glad you posted this thread. Mine looks the same as yours. It's difficult getting the nooks and crannies clean I tell ya! Looking forward to some ideas on how to make it look petty again. :D

[SuzyQ]

This is what is says in the owner's manual: Make a solution of one part liquid bleach and seven parts cold water (example: 1 cup bleach and 7 cups cold water) in a plastic or glass container.
All parts* may be soaked in this solution as often as needed. After about 1 hour, stains should be removed. Badly stained parts may require additional soaking to remove the stain completely. After all stains are removed, wash & rinse the parts thoroughly.
The solution my not clean a badly clogged screen. We recommend soaking the screen in pure olive oil.

*Some moisture may be trapped inside of the cutter. After cleaning, allow the cutter to air dry before re-assembly.

You might want to call them directly for ideas on how to clean the body of the juicer. I thought you might soak white towels in the bleach solution and drape the towels onto the juicer. Also an old toothbrush may get in the nooks & crannies. They may have a better idea.
(209) 369-4638 is their number. Good luck!

[spicyfull]

All the Plastic stains using Carrots and all the Antioxidant Foods. Washing it as soon as you finish using it helps a lot. I don't use a Champion but if I don't have time to wash mine after I use it.........I don't use it. So therefore I Always make sure.......I wash it and I don't have that problem..........It Works for me. Have a RAW Day.........

[Ambug]

I use a baking soda paste and a toothbrush to clean the intricate area's of the juicer. The blade comes out nice and shiny with the same method.
For some really fine nooks and crannies, I use a q-tip dipped in the baking soda paste.
I cannot handle the idea of using bleach. The smell alone makes me pass out.

[Zaphirah]

Thank you SuzyQ! I must have my book around here somewhere...?

Ambug-what a good alternative. I'll try that first. Thanks!

[raweater]

Visible food stains are much less dangerous than invisible bleach stains.

I think my Green Star manual says somethign along those lines, and I fully agree.

Also, I don't know about the champion, but on the green star only the insides get stained which you only ever see durign cleaning, so it matters even less.

[jacsam]

Befoe you use bleach try using baking soda. Just dip a wet cloth into some baking soda and start cleaning. It works on most things.

[jacsam]

My sister in law turned me on to this great cleaning book. Better basics for the home - by Annie Berthold - Bond. (Simple solutions for less toxic living) It has all kinds of recipes for things you use around your home, like: All purpose household cleaners. I really only use 3 things in the book, which are to clean my house, counters, windows, bathrooms etc. I used to open the windows because sometimes those cleaners can be very powerful but now I breath in deep and enjoy the wonderful smell of my cleaners because they are all natural and usually I put an essential oil in them so they really do smell wonderful.

[blaqberry]

I do use a Champion, and same here: "only the insides get stained"


Visible food stains are much less dangerous than invisible bleach stains.

I think my Green Star manual says somethign along those lines, and I fully agree.

Also, I don't know about the champion, but on the green star only the insides get stained which you only ever see durign cleaning, so it matters even less.

[klomasius]

My champion is the same, but as others have said, it's only on the inside.

I haven't used it for the champion, but I've had success removing stains from white plastics by soaking in a solution of vinegar and lemon juice overnight or for a couple of hours.

I'd use this over the bleach, even the food grade stuff, especially on surfaces that come into direct contact with food.

Ambug's method using bicarb paste and a toothbrush sounds great for cleaning stains and hard to get areas. I might try smearing bicarb paste onto the stained areas and leaving for a couple of hours as I've heard this is a good method of removing tough stains.

If there are natural alternatives that are effective, I'd always go with them over harsher chemical products when dealing with food surfaces.