Nothing is worse than waking up to a less-than-great-tasting cup of coffee. If you’ve noticed that your morning cup of joe is less than satisfying in the flavor department, it might be time to clean your coffeepot. 

According to a 2011 International Household Germ Study, about half the yeast and mold in the average home can be found in the coffee maker. 

Not only can that change the taste of your coffee, but it also poses health risks. For that reason, one of the best cleaning tips you’ll ever hear is to clean your coffee pot regularly. 

Keep reading for instructions and care tips to help you clean a coffee maker and always have the best-tasting mug of coffee. 

Signs Your Coffee Maker is Dirty

When it comes to kitchen cleaning, you probably wipe the counters, wash the dishes, and put away the leftovers. 

For most people, cleaning coffee makers doesn’t rank high on the list of kitchen chores, if it appears on the list at all.

Signs your coffee maker needs to be cleaned include bitter or funky tasting coffee, coffee that brews more slowly than normal, and a build-up of hard water residue.

How to Clean a Coffee Maker

Fortunately, coffee maker cleaning is easy to do and won’t take a lot of your time. The most important thing to remember is never to submerge the unit in water. This poses an electrocution risk and can ruin the machine. 

The first step is to remove any leftover coffee, as well as the grounds. Rinse the coffee pot with warm water. 

Make a cleaning solution that is one part water, one part vinegar. Pour this mixture into the water chamber on your coffee maker. 

Next, run the machine on a half cycle. Allow the mixture to remain in the pot for about an hour, then run the other half of the cycle. Pour out the vinegar mixture and run another cycle, using only water. 

Wash the other parts of the coffee maker – the filter and basket – with warm, soapy water. Wipe down the outside of the unit with warm water.

Experts who offer home cleaning tips also suggest using baking soda or a descaling product to remove built-up residue in the machine. 

How Often to Clean Your Coffee Maker

One of the best home cleaning tips you’ll ever hear is to wash your coffee maker after each use. If you do this, you won’t have to worry about residue and nasty tasting coffee.

You don’t have to run the vinegar cycle after each use, however. Simply wash the carafe, filter, and basket after each use. Then you’ll only need to run the vinegar through the machine once a month or so. 

Getting into the Habit

Learning how to clean a coffee maker is great, but it only benefits you if you do it. Make it part of your kitchen cleaning routine, and it won’t be something that slips your mind. 

Keeping your home clean is important to you, just as important as waking up to a delicious cup of coffee in the morning. 

Our quality housecleaning services can help. Let us take some of the work off your plate so you can fully enjoy your coffee.