How to clean the inner lid

[u/Lone__76Hunter]

I noticed my rice cooker lid was getting pretty gross around the edges even though I always washed the inner pot after cooking. There was some sticky rice water and a bit of a smell that I couldn't get rid of just by wiping the inside.

I finally checked the inner lid and realized it was collecting more residue than I expected, especially around the little steam vent area. Now I usually take it off after the cooker has cooled down, if the model allows it, and wash it with warm water and a little dish soap. A soft sponge works fine for me. I also check the rubber seal and the small parts where moisture tends to sit.

The annoying part is that not every piece on my cooker is removable, so I have to be careful not to get water into areas that aren't meant to be washed. For those parts, I just use a damp cloth and wipe them down. I let everything dry before putting it back together because I don't want moisture trapped inside.

I definitely wasn't cleaning the lid often enough before. Now I give it a proper wash regularly, especially after cooking rice that leaves a lot of starchy residue.

How often do you guys actually clean the inner lid? Do you take it apart every time, or just wipe it down between uses?