How to Deep Clean a Keurig

Pod brewing, single serve coffee machines have been on the market for quite a while now, and they’ve only grown in popularity over the years. These machines are certainly convenient, cost effective, and produce a delicious brew in a variety of flavors. However, there’s one thing to note about Keurigs that many people overlook: like any appliance, they need to be cleaned regularly.

If your single serve coffee machine isn’t cleaned on a regular basis, there will be a build up of germs, bacteria, and grime, affecting your health and also the taste of your morning java. Below, learn how to deep clean your Keurig. It’s easier than you’d think and will do wonders for keeping your machine running smoothly!

Unplug the Machine

First, unplug the machine before you begin the cleaning process.

Wipe Down the Machine

Use an antibacterial wipe to gently wipe down the entirety of the machine in order to remove dust, water stains, and dried coffee stains.

Disassemble the Machine and Wash Parts

Remove the drip tray and dump it out. Rinse it with warm water and a bit of dish soap. Next, remove the water reservoir and its lid, if applicable, and run hot, soapy water in it to clean it well. Remove the K-cup holder last and wash it in soapy water. Let all of these components air dry.

Reassemble Pieces

Once the pieces you washed are completely dry, place them back where they belong on the machine and plug it back in.

Add the Vinegar

White distilled vinegar is key to this deep-cleaning process. This solution aids in removing lime and scale build up from the appliance. If you don’t descale your Keurig properly, it won’t run correctly and you could end up with subpar tasting coffee. Fill the water reservoir until it’s halfway full with vinegar.

Add Water

Fill the remaining space of the reservoir with water and then place the top on the basin.

Run a Cycle

Without inserting a K-cup into the machine, start the brew cycle. Be sure to place a mug on the stand to catch the vinegar and water mixture that will be dispelled during this process. After the brew is complete, pour the contents of the mug out and brew another round. Continue this process until the reservoir is empty.

Fill the Reservoir with Water

Now that the water basin is empty, fill it to the top with plain water. Run the machine through the brew cycle repeatedly as you did in the prior step until it’s completely empty. This will rid the machine of any of the vinegar taste and residue.

Use Machine as Normal

Cleaning your Keurig is as simple as that! These steps make all the difference in keeping this appliance running smoothly and allowing it to be bacteria-free. You may be wondering how often it’s necessary to clean your Keurig with the steps listed above. Keurig recommends doing this once every three to six months, but it can certainly be done more often if desired.

There are also some tell-tale signs that it should be done more often that you can pick up on. For instance, if your machine looks generally grimy or gross, it’s time to give it a deep clean. Visible mold is definitely a sign that a cleaning is needed, and—believe it or not—this happens from time to time with Keurig machines. Bitter tasting coffee may also indicate the need for a deep clean. Next, if the water reservoir is emitting a funky smell, give it a clean to rid your appliance of that ailment. Finally, issues running your Keurig as normal may be an indication that descaling is needed. This includes your machine not letting water through correctly or not brewing coffee properly during a cycle.

Follow these easy steps for a clean appliance that functions as desired for a long time to come, providing you with the delicious coffee you wake up thinking about.