Unplug the unit first, wash the interior with warm water and mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, then drain and dry completely before making ice again — models with a self-clean cycle get run exactly as their manual specifies.
Cleaning goes wrong the moment the power stays on: water meets live electronics, and you scrub a machine that is still trying to freeze. GE Appliances tells owners to unplug before cleaning and keep hands off moving parts and the heating element.
Once the cord is out, the job splits into two routes — self-cleaning programs and hand-washing. Both end the same way: rinse, drain, dry, refill.
What Do You Need Before You Start Cleaning?
A soft cloth, warm water, and a mild detergent handle most of the work; anything abrasive or solvent-based stays in the cupboard.
- Mild dish detergent or an approved product named by your manual.
- A soft, lint-free cloth for interior walls and shell.
- A food-grade descaler — powdered citric acid is standard — if your water is hard.
- Fresh drinking water for rinse and drain; cleaner water makes cleaner ice.
Two prohibitions apply to nearly every unit. Never use abrasive cleaners, solvents, or solvent-based agents on machines that prohibit them, per the OYLUS manual for its 2-inch clear ice ball maker — those cloud clear plastic and damage seals. Home Depot’s countertop ice ball maker manual adds a matching warning and says to turn off and disconnect power before cleaning.
How Do You Clean a Model With a Self-Cleaning Cycle?
Run the program with water in the reservoir, then drain and rinse — the button sequence is model-specific, so the manual decides the timing.
The ICEVIVAL 2-inch clear ice ball maker (model IM024) starts self-cleaning with a 3-second hold of the ON button, and the cycle typically runs about 4 minutes; drain from the bottom port afterward.
Self-clean is not the end. Multiple manuals require draining afterward, and several call for fresh-water rinse cycles before the next batch, or detergent and mineral residue end up in your next round of ice.
| Model | Self-Clean Start | Cycle Length |
|---|---|---|
| ICEVIVAL IM024 | Hold ON 3 seconds | About 4 minutes |
| EUHOMY IM024-S | Hold ON 5 seconds | 3 min 40 sec to 15 min |
| ritterwerk BEEZER® IceBall | Press Cleaning | About 5 minutes |
| OYLUS 2-inch Clear | Run self-clean with warm water | Per manual |
| Countertop whiskey ball makers (silicone) | No cycle — hand wash | Not applicable |
How Do You Hand-Wash, Rinse, and Dry It Properly?
Hand-washing means warm water, mild detergent, a soft cloth, and no shortcuts on rinse or dry. The OYLUS manual directs owners to unplug, wash the interior with warm water and mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and dry fully before reuse.
Ice-machine cleaner should be nickel-safe when a dedicated product is called for. Panels should be unplugged before any maintenance except during a self-cleaning program.
Drying is where most owners rush. Water left in the reservoir or bin grows a stale taste and, over weeks, visible film. Wipe the interior dry, air-dry briefly with the lid or drawer open, then store the unit in a cool, dry place.
If your tap water leaves spots on the ice, you are already in the “more often” group.
How Do You Descale and Store It for the Long Run?
Descaling dissolves the mineral crust on the evaporator, and citric acid is the standard tool. Leftover acid carries into the next batch and leaves a sharp tang.
For models that prohibit solvents, citric acid and mild detergent cover the whole job — OYLUS warns against abrasive cleaners and solvents, and the Home Depot countertop manual bans solvent-based agents outright. GE Appliances adds one more option for removable parts: wash plastic pieces by hand, and soak a dispenser tray with undiluted vinegar to lift mineral deposits.
Before long storage, run the self-clean cycle with warm water, drain completely, and dry every surface — the OYLUS manual recommends cleaning before storage for this reason. Silicone mold-style ball makers follow a different routine: warm water, thorough drying, storage in a cool, dry place, and no sharp objects or open flames near the silicone.
If you are still deciding which unit fits your counter, that tested breakdown pairs well with a care schedule you already know. our tested automatic ice ball maker comparison
References & Sources
- GE Appliances. “Ice Maker Cleaning and Maintenance.” Unplugging before cleaning, hand-washing plastic parts, and vinegar soaking for mineral deposits.
- ritterwerk. “BEEZER® IceBall Operating Manual.” Automatic cleaning program, button sequence, and citric acid descaling ratios.
- CASO Design. “Operation Manual 3404.” General countertop appliance cleaning and maintenance guidance.
