Juicing Accessories: 8 Simple Tools for Easier Prep & Cleanup
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Most people don’t quit juicing because of the juice. They quit because of the mess: wet greens, sticky graters, bottles nobody can scrub. The right juicing accessories take the friction out of those moments.
Here are eight simple tools, what each one is really for, and where you can save your money. Skim the checklist, pick one or two, and ignore the rest.
- Prep: salad spinner, Microplane, cutting boards
- Storage: ice cube trays, glass pitcher
- Sipping and straining: reusable straws, nut milk bags
- Cleanup: bottle brushes
Start With the Basics: Wash and Dry Your Produce
Before any gadget, the key habit is washing. Rinse produce under running water and gently rub it. Skip soap, detergent and commercial produce washes, and skip soaking. Washing lowers bacteria but does not eliminate it.
Wash produce even if you plan to peel it, because cutting can carry surface germs inward. Wash your hands for 20 seconds before and after prep, and toss anything rotten.
If you are pregnant, older, immunocompromised or managing a serious health condition, be extra careful with unpasteurized juice and talk to your doctor about it.
1. Salad Spinner: Washing Greens Without the Soggy Mess
Kale, spinach and herbs hold a lot of water. A salad spinner such as the OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner lets you rinse, spin and dry greens in one bowl. Drier leaves feed into the machine more smoothly and make less splashing.
- Best for: leafy greens, herbs, berries
- Trade-off: it is bulky to store
- Skip it if: you rarely juice greens. A clean towel works fine.
If greens are your main thing, see our guide to the best juicer for leafy greens.
2. Microplane: Grating Ginger and Zest
A fine grater like the Microplane Premium Classic Zester/Grater turns ginger, turmeric root and citrus peel into a fine pile quickly. That works well for juice shots or a little extra zing in a glass.
- Zest only the colored outer peel. The white pith is bitter.
- Rinse it right away, before ginger fibers dry on.
- Skip: a separate ginger grater if you already own this one.
3. Prep Boards: A Stable Surface for Cutting
You will trim stems, cut away bruises and chop produce down to fit the chute. A sturdy board with a juice groove, like the Royal Craft Wood Bamboo Cutting Board Set, keeps drips off the counter.
- Wash boards and knives between uses.
- Keep produce prep separate from raw meat.
- Having two boards, one for produce only, is handy but not essential.
4. Silicone Ice Cube Trays: Freezing Juice in Cubes
Made too much? Freeze leftover juice in small cubes for smoothies or to flavor water. Trays with lids, like the Airabc Silicone Ice Cube Trays with Lid, also work for ginger or lemon portions.
- Label the cubes and move them to an airtight bag to limit freezer burn.
- Quality and storage time vary by juice and freezer conditions.
- Freezing does not make a contaminated juice safe.
Cubes pair well with ideas from our juicing meal prep plan.
5. Glass Pitcher: Storing Juice in the Fridge
A lidded glass pitcher, such as the Bivvclaz 2 L (68 oz) Glass Pitcher with Lid, works for short-term fridge storage and serving. Keep juice at 40°F or below and refrigerate promptly.
There is no universal safe storage time for homemade juice. Treat fresh, unpasteurized juice as highly perishable, keep it covered, and drink it soon.
- Good for: a household sharing one batch
- Not ideal for: grab-and-go. Single bottles or jars are easier to carry.
6. Reusable Straws: Optional but Nice
Reusable glass straws make sipping easier and cut down on spills. They are a nice extra, not a necessity. Narrow interiors can hold residue, so choose dishwasher-safe ones and rinse them right after use. A set that includes cleaning brushes, like Reusable Glass Straws (16-pack with cleaning brushes), helps.
- Skip if: you drink from the glass or bottle directly
- Trade-off: glass can chip, so they may not suit small children
7. Nut Milk Bags: Straining Blended Drinks
A bag like the Ultra Fine Nut Milk Bag strains pulp from blended nuts, seeds or fibrous ingredients. It also lets you make a strained juice from a blender. See juicing vs blending for how the two differ.
- Rinse immediately, wash well and dry completely to avoid odors and mold.
- Skip it if you only use a standard centrifugal or masticating juicer, unless you want an extra-smooth strained blend.
8. Bottle Brushes: The Cleanup Hero
Cleanup is the top reason people stop juicing. A long brush set like the Holikme 6 Pack Bottle Brush Set reaches inside narrow bottles, pitchers and straws, where sponges can’t.
- Pick a brush that fits the opening of your bottles.
- Replace worn brushes.
- A brush does not replace taking juicer parts apart and washing them.
Handy Juicing Accessories to Consider
If you want to build a small prep and cleanup kit, these are the pieces that tend to make the biggest difference.
1. OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner
Washes and dries greens so they feed through the juicer more smoothly.
2. Microplane Premium Classic Zester/Grater
Fine-grates ginger and citrus zest for juices and shots.
3. Airabc Silicone Ice Cube Trays with Lid
Freezes leftover juice or ginger and lemon portions into cubes.
4. Bivvclaz 2 L Glass Pitcher with Lid
Holds a batch of juice in the fridge for serving.
5. Holikme 6 Pack Bottle Brush Set
Reaches inside narrow bottles, pitchers and straws.
6. Ultra Fine Nut Milk Bag, 3 Pack
Strains blended drinks and nut milks; reusable if dried well.
Tip: Start with one prep tool and one cleaning tool, then add more only if a task keeps annoying you.
What to Skip and Quick Tips
You don’t need all eight. A simple start is a cutting board, a good brush and something to store juice in. Add the rest as your routine grows.
- Skip single-use gadgets that duplicate what you own.
- Don’t overfill the juicer. It causes splashing and clogs.
- Don’t store juice uncovered, because quality drops faster.
- Remember that juicing removes much of the fiber compared with whole produce.
Still choosing a machine? Our roundup of the best juicers under $150 is a good next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What juicing accessories do beginners really need?
A stable cutting board, something to store juice in and a brush for cleanup cover most needs. Everything else is optional.
Should I use soap or produce wash on fruit and vegetables?
No. Rinse under running water and rub gently, then dry. Soap, detergent and commercial produce washes are not recommended.
Can I freeze juice in ice cube trays?
Yes, many people do. Label the cubes and keep them airtight, but remember that freezing does not make contaminated juice safe.
How long does fresh juice keep in a pitcher?
There is no single safe time for homemade juice. Keep it covered at 40°F or below and drink it soon, since fresh juice is highly perishable.
Do I need a nut milk bag with my juicer?
Usually not. It is mainly for blended nuts, seeds or blender juices you want strained.
Good juicing accessories are the small things that keep a routine going: dry greens, quick zest, easy storage and brushes that really clean. Pick the one step that annoys you most and fix that first.
Ready to put them to use? Try a recipe from our quick energy juices.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant, take medication or have a health condition, talk to your doctor before changing your diet or doing a juice cleanse.
