How to Clean a Coffee Maker—And Why You Should

It’s your morning ritual: you walk into the kitchen, still sleepy, and turn on your coffee maker to make the warm cup of java that’s sure to get you energized and ready to face the day. But as with any important part of a routine, a coffee maker needs regular maintenance to operate at its very best. But how do you maintain a coffee maker so it will last for years to come? How exactly do you clean a coffee maker?

Why Is It Important to Clean a Coffee Maker?

Katie Dills, brand president of The Cleaning Authority, lists the benefits of cleaning your coffee maker.

“Regularly cleaning a coffee maker helps remove built-up bacteria, ensures your coffee tastes fresh and extends the lifespan of the appliance,” she says. “Over time, coffee makers can accumulate coffee oils, mineral deposits and mold, all of which can affect the quality of your coffee and restrict the brewing process.” And, never mind the fact that all of this built-up stuff isn’t exactly great to drink either.

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How Often Should You Clean Your Coffee Maker?

Dills says that if you would like to extend the lifespan of your coffee maker, you should descale it (more on that below) every one to two months. “This removes mineral buildup that accumulates over time,” Dills says.

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What Are Some Signs That It’s Time to Clean Your Coffee Maker?

If you find that you’re standing around waiting for your coffee to brew for longer than usual, if you’re catching a strange taste or odor to your coffee or if you’ve spied visible residue inside the machine, it’s time to get cleaning.

What Is Descaling?

Perhaps you’ve heard the term “descaling” being thrown around in respect to a coffee maker, but maybe you don’t know what it exactly means.

“Descaling is the process of removing mineral deposits that build up inside the coffee maker,” Dills explains. “It’s usually done by running a solution of vinegar and water through the machine, followed by a few cycles of fresh water to rinse. Descaling is important because mineral buildup can clog the coffee maker, slow down brewing time and affect the quality of your coffee.”

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Steps to Clean a Coffee Maker

Ahead, Dills, along with Allen Rathey, Director at the Indoor Health Council who shares alternate cleaning options, lay out the steps to descale and clean your coffee maker:

1. Fill your coffee maker with a mixture that’s made up of half water and half vinegar.

2. Run through half of the normal drip cycle, and pause to soak for a duration of 30 minutes.

3. Next, you’ll rinse the reservoir to remove the water and vinegar mixture with soap and hot water.

4. Run two more normal drip cycles with just water, which will filter through the entire system.

5. For the last cycle, add a few sprinkles of baking soda. See any fizz? That means that’s there’s still some vinegar hanging out in there. If you see fizz, be sure to wash out the inside of the reservoir again, and wipe down the exterior with a cloth, too.

6. Alternatively, Rathey recommends soaking the reservoir in a white vinegar solution overnight or using a citric acid solution, like CLR. “The acid will break down the mineral deposits,” he says. Rinse when finished.

7. Specifically, for oily deposits left behind by coffee and grounds, Rathey suggests using undiluted dish detergent. “Apply and agitate with a toothbrush,” he says, adding that you’ll need to rinse when completed.

Daily Cleaning

To keep your coffee maker cleaner longer, Dills says that after each use, wipe down the exterior, throw away used coffee grounds and rinse the coffee pot and filter basket.

“This can help reduce buildup, but your coffee maker will still benefit from a deep clean every one to two months if frequently used,” she says.

Next up, discover the #1 easiest way to clean your washing machine.

Sources

• Katie Dills, Brand President of The Cleaning Authority.
• Allen Rathey, Director at the Indoor Health Council.