How to Clean a Coffee Maker (And Make Your Coffee Taste Better)

If your coffee tastes bitter or weak, it's probably time to clean your coffee maker. Coffee makers build up mineral deposits and coffee oils over time, which can affect the taste of your coffee. I clean my coffee maker once a month, and it makes a huge difference in the taste. In this guide, I'll show you how to clean a drip coffee maker using just vinegar and water.

What You'll Need

• White vinegar
• Water
• A clean coffee filter

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Empty the coffee pot and remove any old coffee grounds from the filter basket.
2. Fill the water reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water.
3. Put a clean coffee filter in the filter basket.
4. Turn on the coffee maker and let it brew about half of the vinegar solution.
5. Turn off the coffee maker and let it sit for 30 minutes.
6. Turn the coffee maker back on and let it finish brewing the rest of the solution.
7. Discard the vinegar solution and the coffee filter.
8. Fill the water reservoir with clean water and run a full brew cycle to rinse out any remaining vinegar.
9. Repeat the rinse cycle one more time.

How to Clean the Coffee Pot

To clean the coffee pot, just fill it with warm soapy water and scrub it with a sponge. For tough stains, you can use baking soda.

Pro Tip

Clean your coffee maker once a month to keep your coffee tasting great and to extend the life of your coffee maker.

Related Home Cleaning Tips

• How to Remove Coffee Stains from Stainless Steel Tumbler
• How to Clean a Microwave Inside
• How to Get Rid of Mold in Bathroom Grout

Your coffee will taste so much better after you clean your coffee maker! For more easy cleaning tips, check out our Home Cleaning section or return to home.