This is a great question! I hope others can jump in with what works for them, but in the meantime, have you tried wiping down your waffle maker with soap and water while it's unplugged? Perhaps you could use something like a toothpick or toothbrush to get to the harder to clean areas. May I ask how severe your children's allergies are? I know this is not the easiest option, but it may be a good idea to consider getting a second waffle maker (if this is something your kids use frequently) to fully ensure there is no cross contamination. What do you think? I hope this helps! -Alexa (Allergies.net moderator)