Quick Answer: Empty out any old coffee and grounds first. Descale the machine with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and cold water (or a dedicated descaler like Bar Keeper’s Friend), running it halfway through, pausing 15 to 20 minutes, then finishing the cycle. Rinse by running one or two full cycles of fresh water. Then clean the external parts: soak removable pieces in warm, soapy water, wipe down the non-removable parts with a DIY vinegar mix, scrub trouble spots, and let everything air dry completely before reassembling.
If your coffee has started to taste off, it’s a clear sign your coffee maker needs a thorough cleaning. Over time, mineral deposits, coffee oils, and general grime accumulate inside the machine, affecting both the taste and the efficiency. Here’s the best way to clean and descale your coffee maker so it runs smoothly and delivers delicious coffee every time.
Tools You Will Need
Start by Emptying the Coffee Maker
Before cleaning, empty out any old coffee in the carafe and discard the used grounds. This simple first step gets the machine ready for a proper deep clean. Once the grounds and leftover coffee are gone, you have a clean slate to work with and you’re ready to begin descaling.
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Descaling the Coffee Maker
Descaling is one of the most important parts of cleaning a coffee maker. Mineral buildup, especially from hard water, affects both the taste of your coffee and the performance of the machine. For descaling, you can use either white vinegar or a dedicated descaling solution like Bar Keeper’s Friend Coffee Maker Descaler.
If you’re using vinegar, mix a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% cold water. If you’re using the Bar Keeper’s Friend descaler, follow the label instructions, which typically involve mixing 8 ounces of descaler with water. Either way, getting the mix right sets up an effective clean.
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Running the Descaling Cycle
Many modern coffee makers have a “clean” button or descaling function that makes this easy. If your machine doesn’t have one, don’t worry. Simply set it to brew the largest pot possible and let it run until the water reservoir is about halfway empty, then turn the machine off and let the descaling solution sit for about 15 to 20 minutes. This resting period is what allows the solution to break down the buildup effectively. After the pause, turn the coffee maker back on and let the rest of the solution run through. This thoroughly cleans the internal components and gets your machine running like new again.
Rinsing the Coffee Maker
Once the descaling solution has run through, it’s important to rinse the machine to remove any lingering cleaner. Fill the reservoir with fresh water and run a full brewing cycle with no grounds to flush out any residue. If the water looks cloudy or has floating particles, run another rinse cycle to make sure all traces of the descaler are gone. Skipping this step can leave a vinegar or cleaner taste in your next cup, so it’s worth being thorough.
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Cleaning the External Components
With the inside clean, turn your attention to the external parts. Many coffee makers have removable components like the filter basket and carafe lid. Take these off and let them soak in the sink in warm water with a bit of dish soap, which loosens stuck-on grime and coffee residue.
While those parts soak, mix a DIY cleaning solution of one cup water, one cup white vinegar, and a teaspoon of dish soap. Unplug the coffee maker and spray down the non-removable parts, like the heating plate and the area where the grounds go. Pay special attention to any spots where coffee spills have dried, since those attract grime over time.
Scrubbing and Drying
Using a scrub sponge or brush, gently clean all the parts of the coffee maker, including the heating plate, which often collects dried coffee spills. For tough spots, a gentle scrub with a sponge like the Scrub Daddy works wonders. After scrubbing, wipe down everything you’ve cleaned with a damp microfiber towel to ensure no vinegar residue is left behind to affect the taste of future coffee. Once everything is clean, allow the parts to air dry completely before reassembling the machine. This prevents moisture from getting trapped, which could otherwise lead to mold or mildew.
Enjoy Cleaner, Fresher Coffee
Now that your coffee maker is clean, you can enjoy a better-tasting cup. Regular cleaning doesn’t just improve flavor, it also extends the life of your machine, so descaling and cleaning on a routine basis keeps it performing at its best for years. Cleaning your coffee maker doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple steps, you can keep it in top shape and make sure every cup is as fresh and delicious as the first.
