Here are directions for how to clean a coffee maker with vinegar. It is really easy and you won’t need to waste your money on a special coffee machine cleaner.
If you use your coffee machine every day, you should be cleaning it once a month. Rinsing the system with vinegar will eliminate any hard water deposit build-up. Your coffee maker will last longer and you may even notice a difference in the taste of the coffee.
How to Clean a Coffee Maker With Vinegar
Step 1. Rinse out the carafe and fill it halfway with tap water. Add one cup of distilled white vinegar.
Step 2. Pour the vinegar and water solution into the machine and turn the machine on.
Step 3. Allow approximately 1/2 of the water to run through, then stop the machine.
Step 4. Let the machine sit for an hour so the vinegar is sure to get its work done.
Step 5. Turn the machine back on and let the rest of the solution run through. Turn off the machine and allow the carafe to cool for 15 minutes.
Step 6. Empty the carafe in the sink and fill it full with clean water. Put this in the machine and run the machine until all the water has cycled through.
Step 7. Repeat two more times using fresh water each time. Be careful when doing this so that you don’t break your carafe with a thermal shock: allow the hot contents of the carafe to cool before emptying and adding cold water.
Keep It Clean
You could just stop there and consider your coffee maker clean because all of the hard water deposits will be gone. However, most coffee makers need more upkeep than this. If not cleaned regularly, the reservoir may develop a pinkish mold.
Make it part of your monthly vinegar rinse to follow up with wiping out the inside of the coffee maker with a clean microfiber cloth. You may need to use a toothbrush to get into cracks and crevices. This is another time when I use my home steam cleaner, which is great at blasting slime out of tight places.
Finally, you should rinse the carafe and give your coffee maker a wipe on the outside after every use. Nothing strenuous. This will keep stains at bay and instead of looking dreary, your machine will add a sparkle to the countertop.
Bonus House Cleaning Tips
- Run a small amount of uncooked rice through your coffee grinder to clean the blades.
- If you don’t use your coffee maker often, leave a sugar cube in the filter area to absorb stale odors (don’t forget to remove it when you do use the machine).
Learn more about cleaning with vinegar.
