Over time coffee residue accumulate inside the machine, slowly building up residue deposits and sometimes even mold.

Depending on the frequency of use of your machine, this can happen faster or slower but eventually, a hard scale will develop on these deposits, preventing the proper functioning of your machine.

When this happens, you’ll need to clean your machine in order to restore its optimal functions. Knowing how to clean a coffee maker might seem difficult, but it’s actually pretty straightforward.

Cleaning a coffee maker is an easy process that only takes 5-10 minutes using a few simple steps. There are a few products that you will need, and the removal of the residue is a straightforward procedure.

You might have to repeat it several times in order to ensure the complete removal of all deposits, but in the end, your machine will be as good as new.

This article aims to show you how to clean your coffee machine and we have covered the main types of machines in this guide.

When & How To Clean Your Coffee Maker

The best time to clean the coffee maker is once per month when you’re performing your regular cleaning regimen. If you do so, you won’t feel any inconvenience and it will be done in less than 5 minutes: not a big deal at all.

For general coffee makers, the following cleaning process can be followed:

Step 1: Fill the sink to about an inch with white vinegar

Step 2: plug the appliance in and turn it on so clean water runs through the maker

Step 3: leave it running until the vinegar is gone, this should take about 3-5 minutes depending on the model

Step 4: turn off the machine and unplug it to let the parts dry completely before using it again.

Why Vinegar?

Vinegar, which is a typical home remedy for cleaning, is one of the best solutions to remove stains and residue from coffee makers. It is inexpensive and easy to get.

One of the main reasons why cleaning with vinegar works so well is that it’s able to break down calcium deposits, which are often responsible for these accumulations and over time will cause your coffee machine to stop working properly.

Coffee maker cleaner solution is also a good option for this task. They are normally liquid based and can be poured directly into the fresh water container of your machine.

You should always follow instructions as indicated on the product label to ensure that it will work as expected and without having any negative effects on your appliance.

In order to maintain your coffee maker, you should regularly descale it as it will do a deep cleaning of all internal parts of the machine. This descaling process won’t take more than 20 minutes once every several months.

If despite your best efforts mineral buildup keeps accumulating on the appliance you may want to consider replacing it with a new model.

Cleaning A Single Serve Coffee Maker

An easy way to remember how to clean a single serve coffee maker is by following the four R’s:

Remove Excess Residue: When you make coffee, some of the liquid passes through and is left behind as a residue. This is normal and can be removed with equal parts vinegar and water.

Residue Remains: If your machine isn’t cleaned regularly (at least once per month), you’ll need to use additional tools. How often you need to clean it depends on its frequency of usage; the more you use it, the quicker it will accumulate residue.

Reach Difficult Spots: The best way to remove deposits from difficult spots is with a non-abrasive sponge and a toothbrush. You can also use bottled water if your machine was not designed for vinegar usage.

Reassemble Machine: Once all the residue has been removed, it’s time to put everything back together. Make sure you dry all parts before putting them back in place and using the appliance again.

Cleaning A Drip Coffee Machine

Cleaning a drip coffee maker is very simple and doesn’t take much time either.

A common cause of malfunctioning with drip machines is that hard water and mineral deposits become stuck to the inner walls of the coffee maker, preventing water from passing through the machine. Without water, you can’t make any coffee at all!

You’ll need some paper towels, white vinegar, and a toothbrush for cleaning a drip machine.

Step 1: Fill the sink with hot water up to an inch so that it doesn’t overflow when filled with vinegar

Step 2: Add one cup of vinegar to water in the sink

Step 3: Soak paper towels in a vinegar/water mixture

Step 4: Fold towels and place them on the heating plate, the part that closes when you put your coffee mug under it to collect brewed coffee

Step 5: Place another two layers of paper towel on top of the heating plate so they completely cover it

Step 6: Place the mug on top of the towels so it holds them down

Step 7: Wait 10 minutes, then remove the mug and paper towels

Step 8: Unplug the appliance to let the parts dry out completely before using it again to prevent germs from growing.

Cleaning A Pod Coffee Machine

Pod machines are very easy to clean. With pod coffee makers, you have very few parts that get clogged with residue or require scrubbing.

You only need to pop the used pod out of your machine and discard it. You can then wipe down the area where you place the pod with a damp cloth before putting it in another pod.

If you’re a pod coffee drinker who prefers a strong flavor, consider changing the brands or types of pods you use. I know it sounds counter-intuitive but the deeper the taste, the more residue it will leave behind in your machine.

If that happens, follow these steps to clean your machine thoroughly:

Remove Pod Holder: Unscrew the pod holder from its place and remove it with a damp cloth to wipe down excess residue

Fill Sink With Hot Water: Place a sink full of hot water in front of your coffee maker, with enough room for your pod holder. You’ll want to use boiling water if possible or at least very hot tap water.

Add Vinegar: Pour a generous amount of vinegar into the hot water. How much you use really depends on your machine’s model and specifications, so follow specific manufacturer instructions if you have them. For most pod coffee makers, adding half a cup of white vinegar is more than enough to do the job

Wait Time & Clean: Wait 5-10 minutes for the vinegar and residue to do their thing, then use your brush or sponge to scrub all parts in the sink. Make sure you wipe down everything in between each part

Dry & Reassemble: Dry every piece with a clean dish towel and put them back together in the machine. How you put it back together will depend on your specific model, so follow the instructions that came with your coffee maker if you can’t figure it out on your own.

How To Clean A Keurig Coffee Maker

Keurig coffee makers like the K-Duo are also relatively easy to clean but do require a little more work.

The single cup brewing system uses small plastic carriers known as K-Cups. These are filled with either ground beans or coffee pods.

In order to avoid issues such as clogged parts or poor tasting coffee, you’ll need to properly clean your Keurig.

To clean your Keurig you should first remove the K-Cup holder, which can be done by holding down a small latch on one side of the machine.

Once you’ve lifted it out, use either your brush or sponge to wipe away excess residue. How much residue there is will determine how long you need to scrub.

Empty Your Water Reservoir: When trying to clean your reservoir, the first thing to do is empty it. If you don’t, residual water can dilute cleaning agents and will make it harder for them to work their way through your machine.

Once emptied, use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe down anything that might have gotten wet. How much you clean is up to you – some people prefer to simply wipe the reservoir clean while others may want to give it a good scrub.

Clean K-Cup Reservoir: How much residue is in your K-Cup holder will determine how thoroughly you have to clean it.

If there’s not much, try using vinegar and water solution or warm soapy water. However, for more stubborn residue you might need to use a scrubbing brush or sponge.

Rinse & Dry: Once your K-Cup holder is clean, thoroughly rinse it with warm water and dry it before placing it back in the machine.

Drying will depend on if you used vinegar and water solution or not–if so, wipe the excess liquid off with paper towels.

How you replace the K-Cup holder will depend on your specific model, so follow the instructions that came with your coffee maker if you can’t figure it out on your own.

Reassemble & Run Cycle: Put all your clean removable parts back together and run a short washing cycle to allow them to dry thoroughly.

How you go about doing this will again depend on your specific machine, so follow the instructions that came with yours if you can’t figure it out on your own.

How To Clean A French Press

Cleaning a French press is also fairly straightforward, but does require some elbow grease to get all the coffee residue out.

You should begin by removing the plunger from the carafe. How you do this will depend on the particular machine, but they usually have a small notch or tab that you can press to release it.

Once removed, use your brush or sponge to scrub all parts in warm dish soap water – especially where any coffee grounds may have gotten lodged.

How much residue there is will determine how long you need to scrub and if any scouring is necessary.

Rinse & Dry: Rinse all parts with warm water and dry thoroughly using a dishcloth or paper towel.

How you put your French press back together will depend on your specific model, so follow the instructions that came with it if you can’t figure it out on your own.

Reassemble and Run Cycle: How you go about doing this will again depend on your specific machine, so follow the instructions that came with yours if you can’t figure it out on your own.

Cleaning Old Coffee Pots

Cleaning an old coffee pot is pretty simple. Insert a dishwasher tablet in the compartment for ground coffee, start it up on a normal cycle, and presto! Cleaning an old coffee pot will be no longer an issue!

You can use this to clean out your “old” coffeemaker too. Just let it run through your regular cycle, put in a dishwasher tablet, and you’re good to go. Cleaning an old coffee maker just got easier!

If you don’t have a dishwasher tablet but still want to give it a try with the bottle of vinegar in your cupboard, pour it into the water compartment before filling it with hot water.

Let it sit for about 30 minutes, pour out the vinegar, then run it through a regular cycle.

Can Used Coffee Grounds be Used to Clean a Coffee Maker?

Yes, reusing coffee grounds at home to clean a coffee maker is a great idea. The slightly abrasive texture of used coffee grounds can help scrub away any built-up residue. Simply mix the grounds with a little bit of water to create a paste, then use it to clean the inside of the coffee maker.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this quick and simple guide will make your life easier when it comes to cleaning out your coffee machine.

The key point to take away is that regular maintenance will prolong the life of your machine and save you money in the long run. It will also ensure your coffee tastes as good as possible!