Updated October 2026 · From the team that has been making HerbSaver grinders since 2014
If your grinder has started to stick, squeak or take two hands to turn, it doesn't need replacing. It needs cleaning. Resin from your flower slowly coats the teeth, threads and screen, and after a few weeks it gums everything up. A 15-minute clean brings it back to a smooth, easy twist.
This guide shows you how to clean a weed grinder the right way, with different steps for plastic grinders and aluminum grinders, because what's safe for metal can damage plastic.
How often should you clean a grinder?
- After every few uses: a quick dry brush of the teeth and screen. Takes 30 seconds.
- Every 2 to 4 weeks: a deep clean with a soak, or sooner if you grind daily.
- Any time it feels stiff: a grinder that's hard to turn is telling you the threads are coated in resin.
What you need
- A kief brush or a clean, soft toothbrush
- A pollen scraper for collecting kief first
- Mild dish soap and lukewarm water (plastic grinders)
- Isopropyl alcohol, 90% or higher (aluminum grinders only)
- A bowl or zip-top bag for soaking, and a towel for drying
Step 1: Collect your kief first
Before any water or alcohol touches your grinder, save the kief. Open the bottom chamber and use a pollen scraper to push the powder into a pile and tap it onto a clean sheet of paper. Brush the underside of the screen gently to knock loose anything stuck to it. Not sure what to do with it? Here are some great ways to use kief.
Step 2: Take it apart and dry brush
Separate all four pieces: the lid, the grinding chamber, the screen chamber and the kief catcher. Use your brush to sweep loose flower out of the teeth and threads. Brush the screen lightly in one direction. Pressing hard can stretch or tear the mesh.
For a lot of people, this is all a grinder needs between deep cleans. If it still feels sticky after brushing, move on to step 3.
Step 3: Deep clean a plastic grinder (soap and water only)
HerbSaver plastic grinders are made from food-safe, BPA-free polypropylene. It's tough, but it doesn't like heat or harsh solvents, so keep it simple:
- Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. Not hot water.
- Soak the pieces for 20 to 30 minutes to soften the resin.
- Scrub the teeth and threads with a soft brush. Go easy on the screen.
- Rinse every piece well so no soap is left behind.
Don't use isopropyl alcohol or other solvents on a plastic grinder. They can break down polypropylene over time. And don't put it in the dishwasher: the heat can warp the pieces so they no longer thread together smoothly.
Step 3 (aluminum): Deep clean a metal grinder with alcohol
Aluminum can handle isopropyl alcohol, which cuts through resin much faster than soap:
- Put the pieces in a zip-top bag or bowl and cover them with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol.
- Soak for 20 to 30 minutes. Give the bag a shake halfway through.
- Scrub the teeth and threads with a brush. Resin should wipe away easily.
- Rinse everything with warm water to remove the alcohol.
Skip the dishwasher with aluminum too. The heat and detergent can dull an anodized finish over time.
Step 4: Dry it completely
This is the step people rush, and it matters most. Lay the pieces on a towel and let them air dry for a few hours, or overnight to be safe. Trapped moisture can make your next grind clump, and it's never good for the flower you store inside. Only put it back together once every piece is fully dry, especially the screen and the threads.
Step 5: Reassemble and test the twist
Thread the pieces back together and give the lid a few turns. It should spin smoothly with one hand. If the threads still feel gritty, a quick second brush usually fixes it.
How to keep your grinder cleaner for longer
- Don't overfill it. Packing the teeth too tight smears resin into the threads. Load small to medium pieces and leave room to turn.
- Grind dry flower. Sticky, moist flower coats the teeth fast.
- Brush after every few sessions. Thirty seconds now saves a long soak later.
- Keep the lid on. A magnetic lid keeps dust and lint out of the teeth when it's in your bag or pocket.
When to replace instead of clean
A good grinder should last years. If the screen is torn or permanently clogged, you usually just need a replacement kief screen, not a whole new grinder. If the teeth on a HerbSaver ever break from a manufacturing defect, they're covered by our lifetime warranty on the teeth.
Ready for an upgrade? Our Large 4-Piece is the everyday favorite, the Mini 4-Piece is built for travel, and the aluminum grinder is the one-for-life option. For a full breakdown of types, sizes and materials, read The Complete Weed Grinder Guide.
Grinder cleaning FAQ
Can I put my grinder in the dishwasher?
No. Heat can warp a plastic grinder so it no longer threads together, and dishwasher detergent can dull the finish on an aluminum one. Hand wash instead.
Can I use isopropyl alcohol on a plastic grinder?
We don't recommend it. Alcohol and solvents can degrade polypropylene over time. Warm soapy water and a soft brush are all a plastic grinder needs.
How long should I soak my grinder?
20 to 30 minutes is enough for most grinders. For heavy buildup, soak a little longer and scrub again.
Why is my grinder hard to turn?
Resin has built up on the teeth and threads. A deep clean, followed by drying it completely, will usually get it spinning smoothly again.
Will cleaning remove my kief?
Yes, any kief left inside will wash away. Scrape it out of the bottom chamber and brush the screen before you start.
How do I dry a grinder fast?
Pat each piece with a lint-free towel, then let it air dry with the pieces apart. Avoid hair dryers and ovens: heat can warp plastic.