How to Clean a Coffee Maker

Co-authored by Jonathan Tavarez

Coffee makers are convenient household appliances that can provide you with a fresh cup of java first thing in the morning. However, due to the high levels of moisture, they can easily harbor mold and bacteria. Drip filter coffee makers require cleaning after each use. They also need to be deep cleaned monthly to remove hard water deposits, leftover coffee oils, and other impurities. With a little elbow grease, you can keep your coffee maker nice and clean.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Your Coffee Maker After Each Use

1
Disassemble the coffee maker. Remove any parts that come off, such as the pot, the brew basket, and any other removable parts. These part should be cleaned separately from the rest of the coffee maker.^{[1]
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2
Wash the removable parts. Submerge the removable parts in warm, soapy water, and wash them using a dish rag. You can wash removable parts of your coffee maker the same way you would wash dishes.^{[2]
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- Glass pots can be very breakable. When washing your coffee maker's pot, treat the glass gingerly.
- Some coffee makers may have parts that can be washed in a dishwasher. Check the instructions manual, if you still have it. If you're unsure if your coffee maker can be washed in the dishwasher, err on the side of caution and hand wash it.
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3
Wipe down the outside of the machine. Take a wet, soapy rag and give the outside of the machine a good wipe down. Wipe down the sides and remove any coffee grinds from the warming plate. When you're down, wipe off any soap suds with a clean, damp rag.^{[3]
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4
Reassemble your machine. After all the parts are dry, you can put your coffee machine back together. It is ready to use again. Make a habit of cleaning your coffee maker like this after each use.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Deep Cleaning Your Coffee Maker

1
Add a vinegar and water solution to your coffee maker.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Jonathan Tavarez
Property Hygiene Enabler
Expert Interview. 13 September 2019.} Make a mixture using 2 parts warm water and 1 part white vinegar.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Marcus Shields
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.} The precise amounts will vary depending on the size of your coffee maker, but make roughly enough to fill the reservoir. Pour the mixture into the reservoir like you normally would with water when making coffee.^{[6]
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2
Let the coffee machine run half a brew cycle.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Jonathan Tavarez
Property Hygiene Enabler
Expert Interview. 13 September 2019.} Turn the coffee machine on. Keep an eye on it as it brews. Once about half the pot is full with the filtered vinegar/water mixture, turn the pot off.^{[8]
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3
Let the coffee maker sit for an hour. Set a timer for an hour. Let the coffee pot sit for this time frame.^{[9]
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Research source} This will give the vinegar time to sit in the machine and clean out any mold.
4
Complete the brew cycle. After letting the coffee maker sit for an hour, turn the machine back on. Let it run the rest of the brew cycle.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Jonathan Tavarez
Property Hygiene Enabler
Expert Interview. 13 September 2019.} When done, all the vinegar/water mixture should be filtered into the pot. You can pour this mixture down the sink.^{[11]
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5
Run three brew cycles with plain water. Fill your coffee pot with clean water. Pour this into the reservoir and run a complete brew cycle.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Jonathan Tavarez
Property Hygiene Enabler
Expert Interview. 13 September 2019.} When it's done, pour the water out and run two more brew cycles with clean water. This should clean any vinegar out of your coffee maker.^{[13]
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6
Wipe down the coffee maker. After disinfecting the coffee maker, take a clean, damp rag. Wipe down the exterior of the machine to remove any dirt and debris. You should also make sure to remove coffee grinds from the warming plate.^{[14]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Avoiding Common Mistakes

1
Read your instruction's manual. If you still have the instructions manual, read it before cleaning your coffee maker. Most coffee makers can safely be cleaned with a vinegar/water mixture, but it's always a good idea to check first.^{[15]
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Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
Go to source}
- If you don't have the instructions manual, try looking up your model online. You may be able to find an instructions manual on the Internet.
2
Leave the reservoir lid open. Many people keep the reservoir lid closed. However, it's a good idea to leave it open when not in use. This will help dry out the machine, preventing mold and bacteria from growing in a moist environment.
3
Rinse the brew basket in the sink regularly. The brew basket is very susceptible to mold as it gets wet during the brewing process. Make sure you rinse out the brew basket after each use and make a habit of cleaning it each time you do dishes. This will keep your coffee maker mold and germ free.^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source
Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
Go to source}

Expert Q&A

Question

How often should you clean a coffee maker?

Marcus Shields
House Cleaning Professional
Marcus is the owner of Maid Easy, a local residential cleaning company in Phoenix, Arizona. His cleaning roots date back to his grandmother who cleaned homes for valley residents in the 60’s through the 70’s. After working in tech for over a decade, he came back to the cleaning industry and opened Maid Easy to pass his family’s tried and true methods to home dwellers across the Phoenix Metro Area.

Marcus Shields

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Try to deep clean your coffee maker once a month so mold doesn't grow inside of it, especially if you use it every day.
Question

How do I clean my coffee maker without vinegar?

Jonathan Tavarez
Property Hygiene Enabler
Jonathan Tavarez is the Founder of Pro Housekeepers, a premium cleaning service headquartered in Tampa, Florida catering to residential and commercial clients across the United States. Since 2015, Pro Housekeepers uses rigorous training methodologies to ensure high quality cleaning standards. Jonathan has over five years of professional cleaning experience and has over two years of experience as the Communications Director for the United Nations Association Tampa Bay. Jonathan earned a BS in Management and Marketing from the University of South Florida in 2012.

Jonathan Tavarez

Property Hygiene Enabler

Expert Answer

Denture cleaning tabs tend to work well when left in a carafe full of water for about 30 minutes!
Question

How can I get rid of the vinegar taste after cleaning with vinegar?

Community Answer

Do a full cup of water. Let it run through.