Anyone’s Vitamix container looking like the first two pictures?  Don’t worry.  It’s not dangerous.  I blend lots of fruits and leafy greens and I only recently started having this problem.  Normally this is my routine after blending:

• Rinse the container thoroughly
• Fill 1/2 way with warm water and 2 drops of dish soap
• Run the machine on high for 1 minute
• Rinse and dry upside down in a dish rack

The container can be put into the dishwasher but, I use mine so much that it I need it ready at all times and you can’t beat a 1 minute wash cycle.  So why is my container looking like this now?  I began using peppermint and chamomile tea as the base for Matthew’s green smoothie instead of plain water.  The film is a build up of oils and minerals from the tea. So, now when the container starts looking like that I:

1. Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar for 32oz containers and 1 cup for 64oz containers.
2. Add hot water until the container is half full.
3. Turn the machine on with it set to Variable 1.
4. Quickly increase the speed to Variable 10, then to High.
5. Blend for 15 seconds to mix the water and vinegar.
6. Let sit for about 15 minutes.
7. Pour the vinegar and water solution over a clean sponge or dish cloth then dump the rest down the sink.  Use the sponge or dishcloth to clean any tough stains that might be left behind.
8. Rinse the container then refill half way with fresh water.
9. Repeat steps 3-5.
10. Empty and let stand upside down to dry completely.

If you have let your container build up a thick film or if you are a stickler like me, you may want to put a little baking soda on the cloth or sponge and give the inside another go.  This is totally optional.  It you are on a tight time schedule, this step is not necessary.  FYI, if you are thinking of short cutting by using the baking soda and vinegar from the beginning, DON’T!  Remember that active volcano replica you made back in grade school?  No?  Ok, I may be dating myself.  If you do you will end up with: