If you’re a fan of only the best coffee, chances are you’ve considered investing in a Keurig. This popular single-serve coffee maker has become a kitchen staple for many java-loving households. But as with any appliance, your Keurig needs to be properly cleaned and maintained in order to work its best.
Fortunately, cleaning your Keurig is a relatively easy process that only requires a few household items that you probably already have on hand. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to clean your Keurig.
Easiest Way How to Clean Your Keurig
Unplug your Keurig and remove all parts, such as the water reservoir and drip tray.
If your model has a removable needle assembly, be sure to remove that as well. Give all of the parts a good rinse under warm water, and let them soak.
Remember: do not add soap to any pieces that will be in contact with your coffee as it’s brewing.
Descaling your machine
Descaling is an important part of cleaning your Keurig because it removes built-up calcium deposits that can affect the quality of your coffee and shorten the lifespan of your machine.
To descale, you’ll need to purchase a Keurig descaling solution or make one at home using white vinegar or lemon juice. Once you have your solution, run it through your machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Pro Tip: Use Vinegar instead of a descaling solution. Using vinegar is a more cost-effective method than the solution. Not only that, but vinegar is a much more natural and doesn’t affect the flavor of your coffee as much.
Cleaning the exterior
While the interior components of your Keurig are soaking, take this opportunity to clean the exterior. Wipe down the outside of the machine with a damp cloth.
Be sure to avoid getting any water inside the machine itself. Once you’re finished cleaning, dry the exterior with a clean towel.
Putting It All Back Together
Once all of the parts have finished soaking and you’ve descaled your machine, it’s time to put everything back together again. Rinse off all of the parts and dry them thoroughly before putting them back in place.
Once everything is back where it belongs, fill up the water reservoir and run a brew cycle without coffee grounds to clean out any residual descaling solution. You can also run a cycle of water and vinegar mix to get an even cleaner Keurig! Just be sure to run more cycles of just water to clean out all the leftover vinegar.
And that’s it!
You’ve successfully cleaned your Keurig and can now enjoy freshly brewed coffee without fear of funky flavors creeping into your cup.
Extra Tips for Cleaning Your Keurig
- Make sure you empty out your water reservoir every couple of days. This will keep it from getting stagnant and promotes faster brew times!
- Make sure you clean out the K-Cup holder after each use so that it doesn’t get clogged up with coffee grounds and ruin your morning brew. If there are too many settled particles inside, give it a quick rinse to fluff things back up!
- Rinse out your cup after drinking sugary drinks. For hot chocolate or other sweet beverages like lattes and coffees, perform a cleansing brew without using any K-cups in order to prep the brewer for next time!
Wrap Up
A clean Keurig means better-tasting coffee and a longer lifespan for your machine. So, no matter which way you choose to clean your Keurig, make sure you do it on a regular basis.
With just a little bit of effort (and some common household cleaners), you can keep your Keurig running like new for years to come.