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A lot of factors go into finding a quality coffee maker. Brew strength, heat retention, carafe size and counter space all come into play when choosing an appliance. Since you likely use your coffee maker multiple times a week you should also prioritize how easy the machine is to clean. Just like your dishwasher and refrigerator, your coffee maker should be cleaned at least once a month or up to once a week, depending on how much you use it — this will make sure the appliance continues to run smoothly, and that your freshly brewed coffee maintains a consistent taste.
To learn more about how to clean a coffee maker, including single serve models like the Keurig and drip coffee makers like Mr. Coffee, we spoke with cleaning experts for their guidance and recommendations.
SKIP AHEAD Top-rated products for cleaning a coffee maker | How to clean a coffee maker with distilled white vinegar
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What is hard water?
Hard water refers to tap water that is high in minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, according to the United States Geological Survey. This often includes the water you use in your kitchen sink or bathroom. When hard water dries, it leaves behind a residue known as limescale, which appears as a dusty or powdery residue on sinks, drains and dishes.
What is limescale?
Limescale is the visible residue left on the surface of appliances that use water such as a coffee maker or dishwasher. It forms after the buildup of minerals in hard water sits and then dries on the surface of materials like glass or metal. Hard water stains, for example, are a form of limescale.
Top-rated products for cleaning a coffee maker
Best for cleaning a drip coffee maker
Bar Keepers Friend Coffee Maker Cleaner
- Good for all coffee appliances
- Small amount required
- Nothing to note at this time
Just like Bar Keepers Friend’s original cleanser, this heavy-duty cleaner is ideal for cleaning a coffee maker. With a 4.5-star average rating from 1,537 reviews on Amazon, it gets rid of residual coffee oils left behind from coffee that sits around in carafes, thermoses and coffee mugs. To clean your coffee maker, mix one ounce of the solution with eight ounces of cold water. Add the mixture to the water reservoir of your drip coffee maker or single-serve coffee maker and place the carafe (or cup if using single-serve) underneath. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes, run the brew cycle and let the brewed mixture sit for another 30 minutes. Pour out the mixture and rinse the carafe or cup. Lastly, fill the reservoir with clean cold water and run the brew cycle once more. You can also pair this with Bar Keepers Friend’s Coffee Maker Descaler, which removes limescale (mineral buildup) from hard water.
Best for cleaning an espresso machine
De’Longhi Descaling Solution
- Good for espresso machines
- Tough on limescale
- A lot of solution required
This cleaning solution, which has 4.7-star average rating from 96,267 reviews on Amazon, is great for cleaning all types of coffee makers, including espresso machines, according to the brand. It helps to get rid of limescale that builds up from the minerals in hard water, which can cause hard water stains and prevent machines from working more efficiently. Add the solution to the reservoir of your coffee maker, dilute with water and run the brewing cycles. Repeat the process using clean water.
Best for cleaning a single-serve coffee maker
Impresa Universal Descaling Solution
- Good for single-serve makers
- Nothing to note at this time
Another descaler, this cleaning solution is perfect for single-serve coffee makers, like ones from Keurig and Nespresso Vertuo. It helps get rid of limescale buildup, improves that taste of coffee and helps maintain the appliance’s performance, according to the brand. Add half of a bottle to the reservoir of the coffee maker, dilute with water and run a cycle. After it’s done, run another cycle with clean water.
Best multipurpose coffee maker cleaner
Grove Co. Bottle Wash Pods
- Good for all coffee appliances
- Small amount required
- Nothing to note at this time
These wash pods are great for cleaning multiple types of appliances and containers, like coffee carafes, insulated bottles, blenders and travel mugs. Different from a liquid cleaning solution, these tablets dissolve in water to begin the cleaning process. NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin uses these tablets regularly to clean. “These are my favorite pods to clean my coffee carafe or the water tank of my single-serve coffee machine,” she says. “They’re so easy to use and are very effective.” To use them, add water to either the carafe or reservoir of your machine, add in a tablet, let it dissolve, then pour out the mixture and rinse again.
Best tablet coffee maker cleaner
Active Coffee Machine Cleaner Tablets
- Good for all coffee appliances
- Small amount required
- Nothing to note at this time
These cleaning tablets come recommended by Jill Koch, the founder of cleaning blog Jill Comes Clean, who uses them regularly to clean her appliances. They descale and deodorize your coffee machine, helping it to function at its best and help provide a consistent taste to your brews. Each pack has 24 tablets, which is safe to use in any single-serve or drip coffee maker, and espresso machines, according to the brand.
How to clean a coffee maker with distilled white vinegar
In addition to using the products mentioned above, you should also consider using white vinegar to clean your coffee maker, according to Koch. You could even purchase it in bulk to use simply for cleaning. Here’s how to do it:
- Fill the water reservoir entirely with distilled white vinegar (without a filter) and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
- Run a brew cycle until all of the vinegar has filtered through the machine and into the carafe (or cup is using a single-serve machine). “The vinegar will help descale the inside of the machine, breaking up mineral deposits and giving it a good thorough clean. Plus, it is so affordable and easy,” says Koch.
- Pour out the vinegar from the carafe or cup. Add the fresh water to the reservoir and run another cycle with just the water to rinse.
Meet our experts
Jill Koch is the author of the ebook DIY Cleaning Recipes for the Non-Toxic Home and founder of cleaning blog Jill Comes Clean.
Will Cotter is the founder of cleaning companies FreshSpace Cleaning and HappyCleans.
Why trust NBC Select?
Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor at NBC Select, where he covers kitchen, cleaning and wellness related content. He spoke with two cleaning experts for their guidance and product recommendations.
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