How To Clean A Keurig Coffee Maker: All The Dirty Details

Having a Keurig coffee maker not only means enjoying a delicious cup of coffee. But you don’t need to wonder about squabbling with filters and coffee beans each day.

However, many of us are likely to be blamed for not cleaning it either. Let’s face it, the coffee maker can get messy.

As is the case with even the best coffee machines and pod coffee makers, unclean Keurig machines can attract harmful bacteria if not frequently cleaned.

In this article, we will expand on why and exactly how to clean a Keurig coffee maker. However, there’s one tip you should know when cleaning it but I’ll touch on that later.

Why Do You Need To Clean Keurig?

Very much like whatever else you use consistently, your coffee machine can become grimy and loaded with mineral deposits just from simple everyday use.

Your Keurig machine or pod coffee systems can be loaded with dangerous microscopic organisms, mold, bacteria, and mineral buildup.

Grease build-up from coffee brewing, in addition to hard-water deposits and different contaminants grow in coffee makers over the long haul.

This can make your coffee end up with an unpleasant flavor.

How To Clean a Keurig Coffee Machine

There are many ways to ensure regular cleaning of a Keurig coffee machine is effective, however, let us look at the most basic way this can be done before diving into other cleaning methods. Sadly this cannot be done by using only water.

Step: 1

The first step would be to unplug the machine followed by disassembling the removable parts.

Remove the water reservoir and lid, the mug stand as well as the K cup holder. You should wash these parts with water and dry them with a microfiber cloth.

Step: 2

Next, you should wipe the machine’s surface with a clean and dry microfiber cloth.

Important!

Don’t forget to clean the space around the pod holder where coffee granules could have gathered.

Step: 3

Reattach all the removable parts and plug in the machine

Cleaning your Keurig with white vinegar

Using the white vinegar you can descale, in other words, remove lime and scale buildup, from the daily use of your Keurig coffee maker.

Fill the water reservoir midway with vinegar. Fill the reservoir the rest of the way with water and begin the brewing cycle without inserting a k cup.

Repeat the cycle until the reservoir is empty. Discard the contents of the mug after each cleansing brew cycle without inserting a k cup.  Doing this will remove lime and scale buildup in the remaining time.

Replace the Keurig water filter cartridge every two months to keep your coffee fresh every other month. You can also try using this descaling solution by Keurig as an alternative to vinegar.

How often should I clean my Keurig coffee maker?

We recommend descaling a Keurig coffee maker every three to six months. This would help end calcium deposits or scale buildup.

Just like other everyday appliances, Keurig coffee makers need basic maintenance in order to keep them clean and working appropriately.

For optimal results, you should be descaling every three to months by using a descaling solution.

How do I remove hard water stains from my Keurig Water Reservoir?

Fill the water reservoir halfway with water and equal parts distilled white vinegar. Using conventional white vinegar can be used to securely descale your Keurig without the need for punitive chemicals.

Run a few ounces of cool water in with the vinegar to dilute it. Fill up the reservoir two-thirds and activate the brewing cycle.

As soon as the cycle is activated, the vinegar mixture will flow directly through the water line and spout of the machine, taking away all buildup from the inside.

Can you run warm soapy water through a Keurig Coffee Maker?

The short answer is, Yes! When deep cleaning a Keurig machine, run a whole new brew cycle just with the water.

Wipe down your coffee maker: Wipe down the exterior of your machine, and wash the carafe and filter basket in hot, soapy fresh water. Reassemble and make coffee.

Cleaning the Reservoir

When cleaning the reservoir, start the descaling cycle by filling the reservoir with sixteen ounces of white vinegar or Keurig’s “Descaling Solution”.

Pour in sixteen ounces of clear freshwater. Another method is by filling the water reservoir most of the way with vinegar or descaling solution.

Fill the reservoir with water. Switch on the machine and Start the cycle without placing a K cup holder inside.

Do this repeatedly until the reservoir is emptied, disposing of the mug’s substances after each cycle.

How Do You Clean A K cup holder?

Start by cleaning the mug tray and K cup holder in relatively hot soapy water. When cleaning the water reservoir and lid, take out the water filter, wipe or dab the exteriors with a wet and soapy cloth.

Rinse out the reservoir and lid with distilled water and let air dry. It is most advisable that you should probably not dry the reservoir with a cloth as this could leave lint behind that may go unnoticed.

Pro Tip: How To Remove Strong Vinegar Odors

A thorough wash with soap and water through the carafe should eliminate any challenging vinegar buildup from the glass or metal sides of the coffee carafe.

Should the scent remain, place a few ice blocks in the lower part of a cool and empty coffee carafe.

Another method is by adding a sliced-up lemon with a tablespoon of salt. Wash this combination around and let it sit for an hour prior to soaking it clean.

If the reservoir has a potent vinegar smell, use a saturated cloth and smoothly rub down the inside of the coffee machine.

Try to get scrubbing into the little hiding spots. A small bottle cleaning brush can help you clean any hard-to-reach places and eliminate further vinegar buildup.

Conclusion

Keeping your Keurig maintained is inexpensive and hassle-free. With proper deep cleaning every three months and being mindful of keeping your detachable parts in order, your Keurig should be able to function well for a long time.

Using home items such as white vinegar is a cost-effective way to keep things running smoothly, just don’t use too much, while warm soapy water will ensure a fantastic clean.