There are a few methods that can be used to keep your favorite herb tool lookin’ shiny and new.  The method used depends on what you have been grinding and what you want to extract from the grinder pieces.  Keep in mind that you will want to set the pollen catcher aside if you’ve been collecting pollen in it.

Alcohol

For general disinfecting, first time use and light maintenance:

1. Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and clean around the sides of the different pieces and around the teeth. The alcohol acts as a solvent and will loosen and remove any grime or residue.
2. As the resin loosens you can also use the scraping tool or toothpick to remove the grime. Repeat this process until the grinder is clean.
3. When you are done rinse the grinder well in warm water and dry thoroughly.

TIP: This is the preferred method and will keep your grinder lookin’ shiny and new. 

Freezing

For the worst buildups of sticky herbs on your grinder:

1. Take the grinder apart and place the individual pieces in the freezer. Try to get those pieces as cold as possible by placing frozen items on top of the pieces, such as a bag of frozen peas).
2. Leave the grinder in the freezer for a couple of hours.
3. Once frozen, remove the pieces from the freezer.
4. Last, take each piece and bang the pieces against a hard non-abrasive surface. If there’s anything left, use the scraping tool or a toothpick to extract it.

TIP: This method is good if you want to use the herbs you extract from your grinder.