If your morning coffee tastes off or bitter, it probably means your coffee maker needs cleaning. Over time, coffee oils, minerals from hard water, and grime can collect inside. This buildup can change the flavour and slow down your machine.
Rinsing your coffee maker daily helps, but a regular deep clean is key to keeping your coffee tasting great. You don’t need fancy tools or pricey cleaners. The best way is to use white vinegar, which you probably already have at home.
This guide will show you each step to clean your coffee maker. You’ll learn how often to deep clean and get easy instructions for using vinegar to descale and sanitise your machine, so it works and looks like new.
Why You Should Clean Your Coffee Maker Regularly
A coffee maker’s warm, damp interior can easily harbour germs, mould, and mildew if you don’t clean it well (Coffee makers — how to keep them clean and germ-free, 2020). Besides being unpleasant, two main things can make your coffee taste worse over time:
- Mineral Buildup (Limescale): If you have hard water, minerals like calcium and magnesium can accumulate in your coffee maker. This limescale can block water flow, change the brewing temperature, and even harm your machine. You might notice a white, chalky film in the water reservoir or on the carafe (How to stop hard water from ruining your coffee machine, 2024).
- Rancid Coffee Oils: Every time you brew, natural oils from the coffee beans are left behind. These oils can build up on the filter basket, carafe, and even within the machine’s internal tubing. Over time, these oils turn rancid, leading to a bitter, stale, or “off” taste in your coffee. (McCutchan, 2021)
Regular cleaning removes both mineral deposits and old coffee oils, improving your coffee’s taste and extending the life of your appliance.
How Often to Clean Your Coffee Maker
To keep your coffee maker working well and your coffee tasting good, wash the removable parts like the carafe, filter basket, and lid after each use. Just use warm, soapy water. Many of these parts can go in the dishwasher, making cleanup simple.
For deep cleaning or descaling, the frequency depends on your usage and water hardness.
- If you drink a lot of coffee or have hard water, try deep-cleaning your machine once a month.
- For most people, descaling every three to six months is enough.
If you see a white film on your coffee maker, it’s time for a deep clean. Some manufacturers recommend descaling after every 100 brew cycles, which is about the same as a box of filters (KCM1204 Use and Care Guide, 2025). At the very least, deep clean your machine twice a year.
How to Clean Your Coffee Maker with Vinegar
This easy method uses white vinegar to remove mineral deposits and clean your coffee maker.
What You’ll Need
- White vinegar
- Water
- A sponge or soft cloth
- Dish soap
Step-by-Step Instructions
Use these seven steps to get your coffee maker really clean.
1. Prepare Your Coffee Maker
Start by emptying the machine. Discard any leftover coffee from the carafe and dump any used grounds from the filter basket. Give the carafe and basket a quick rinse with water.
2. Create the Vinegar Solution
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water for your cleaning solution. This 1:1 mix works well to remove buildup without being too strong (How to clean a coffee maker with vinegar, 2022). Fill the water reservoir with this solution, using your carafe’s markings to measure.
3. Run a Half Brew Cycle
Place the empty carafe back on the warming plate and start a brew cycle as you normally would. Let the machine run until the carafe is about half full. Then, turn the coffee maker off.
4. Let the Solution Sit
Let the vinegar solution sit in the reservoir and carafe for about an hour. This soaking time helps the vinegar break down mineral deposits and oily residue inside the machine (How to descale a Keurig with vinegar – avoid using harsh chemicals with this all-natural alternative the pros love, 2022).
5. Finish the Brew Cycle
After an hour, turn the coffee maker back on and let it complete the brew cycle. Once it’s finished, all of the hot vinegar solution will be in the carafe.
6. Run Water-Only Cycles
Pour out the vinegar solution from the carafe. To get rid of any leftover vinegar, fill the reservoir with fresh water and run a full brew cycle. Do this two more times, for a total of three water-only cycles. This will remove any vinegar smell or taste.
7. Wash and Reassemble
Wash the carafe and filter basket with hot, soapy water to get rid of any leftover residue. Wipe the outside of the coffee maker with a damp cloth. Once everything is clean and dry, put your machine back together. Now you can enjoy coffee that tastes fresh again.
Keep Your Coffee Tasting Great
Regularly cleaning your coffee maker is one of the easiest ways to improve your daily brew. A deep clean with vinegar removes the buildup that you can’t see, ensuring your machine runs efficiently and produces a delicious, flavorful cup every time. By incorporating this simple routine every few months, you’ll not only enjoy better-tasting coffee but also extend the lifespan of your trusted appliance.
