Learn The Easiest Way To Clean Your Coffee Maker At Home In 6 Steps

Have you noticed your coffee tasting a little off lately? You might have tried changing coffee beans or new filters, but the taste just never improves. In such cases, the real culprit might be your coffee machine crying for deep cleaning. Many of us love sipping on a hot, strong cup of coffee to kick-start our mornings, but don't think about the gunk slowly making its way into the machine. Sounds gross? From leftover coffee oils to hard water deposits, your coffee machine might be dealing with more than just making coffee. But worry not, as there is a solution for every problem. In this blog, you will read about some of the easiest ways to clean your coffee maker at home in simple steps. Let's get started and bring back the flavourful brew you love!

Also Read: How Coffee Makers Can Revitalise Your First Cup In The Morning

Learn The Easiest Way To Clean Your Coffee Maker At Home In 6 Steps; Photo Credit: Unsplash

1. Unplug And Disassemble The Coffee Maker

Before you get started with cleaning, always unplug the coffee maker and take apart all removable parts one by one. This gives you easy access to hard-to-reach areas where germs and gunk accumulate, making thorough cleaning a piece of cake. Set everything aside carefully and wash all the parts one by one. 

2. Clean The Carafe And Filter Basket

Once you have taken out the carafe and filter basket from the coffee maker, it is time to give them a good bath. Mix warm water with dish soap to make foamy cleaning water, and use a non-abrasive sponge for cleaning to prevent scratches. 

Scrub the carafe and the filter basket, especially around the edges, to remove coffee stains, buildup, tiny dust particles, and other pollutants. This type of residue is potentially responsible for ruining the taste of your morning coffee. So, the better you clean these parts, the tastier your coffee will get. Once you are done with scrubbing, rinse them under clean running water and allow them to air dry naturally. 

3. Clean The Water Chamber

Now, this cleaning hack is for people who like the squeaky clean after-effect of vinegar. If your coffee machine has a water chamber, this hack will help you clean it effectively. 

Firstly, mix equal parts of water and vinegar to prepare a cleaning solution. Pour this solution into the water chamber until it reaches its full capacity. Turn on the coffee machine and let it run a brew cycle. Pause the machine halfway and allow the solution to sit for some time. Lastly, turn on the coffee maker and wait for the brew cycle to finish. 

Discard the vinegar solution and fill the water chamber with clean water. Run another complete cycle and repeat until the vinegar smell is no longer noticeable. 

For the uninformed, vinegar helps dissolve mineral buildup from hard water. It also prevents the gunk from clogging your machine and improves the overall efficiency. If you have been noticing a funny taste in your coffee, this step may help you solve the matter.

Learn The Easiest Way To Clean Your Coffee Maker At Home In 6 Steps; Photo Credit: Unsplash

4. Clean The Exterior And Warming Plate

Now that you are done with cleaning the removable parts, it is time to focus on the coffee machine's exterior. For this, use a soft, damp microfibre cloth and gently rub it in circular motions. This will help remove coffee stains, dust, or grime without leaving scratches. Try to use gentle pressure and give the grime time to break down easily. 

This is the moment to pay extra attention to buttons, crevices, and the warming plate. You can also damp the cloth with the warm, soapy solution for more effective cleaning. Keep a close eye on the electrical parts and avoid them from getting wet. 

5. Clean The Water Reservoir

If the water reservoir of your coffee machine is removable, you can use this opportunity to give it a good cleaning session. Frequent use of hard water tends to cause a mineral buildup in coffee makers that is not easy to remove with just plain water. This buildup can restrict water flow, reduce the efficiency of the machine, and even increase the chances of equipment damage. 

To clean your water reservoir, all you need is soapy water, which you prepare earlier for cleaning other parts of the machine. Use a clean cloth and gentle circular motions for thorough cleaning. As the buildup breaks down, you will be surprised to see how much gunk that machine was holding. Lastly, rinse it using clean water. 

6. Dry And Reassemble The Coffee Maker

Once all the parts are squeaky clean and dry, it is time to reassemble your coffee machine. Use a clean cloth to wipe all the parts before inserting them back into their place. This will help prevent moisture from causing mold or mildew inside the machine. Ensure that the reservoir is not reeking of a sour, vinegary smell. 

Learn The Easiest Way To Clean Your Coffee Maker At Home In 6 Steps; Photo Credit: Pexels

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10. Morphy Richards Europa 6 Cups Coffee Maker

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Coffee Makers

1. What is the best way to clean a coffee maker?

The best way to clean a coffee maker is to give all removable parts a good rinse using soapy water. Next, wipe the exterior of the machine using a clean microfibre cloth and let everything air dry before assembling it back.

2. Is it better to clean a coffee maker with vinegar or baking soda?

A vinegar and water solution is great for cleaning coffee makers. It can help break down mineral buildup. On the other hand, baking soda might be more effective for removing stains.

3. What is the ratio of vinegar to water to clean a coffee maker?

To clean your coffee maker using vinegar, all you have to do is mix it with water. Use the 1:1 ratio and watch how it removes odour and mineral buildup.

4. What happens if you don't clean your coffee maker?

When you don't clean your coffee maker for some time, you will notice some minor issues such as a change in the taste of the coffee, mineral buildup, and mold. 

5. Why is it important to clean a coffee machine?

If you use your coffee maker machine every day, regular cleaning can help maintain its efficiency, the taste of coffee, and may even increase its longevity. Moreover, it also helps get rid of buildup and gunk from the machine, resulting in a much tastier coffee. 

A clean coffee maker is not only about improving how it looks on the outside. Instead, it also helps the machine brew better and makes your coffee taste excellent. With just a few simple steps and pantry staples, like vinegar, you can extend the life of your favourite machine and enjoy a fresh, flavourful cup of coffee every morning for many years. Apart from these, the most helpful tip is to make cleaning a regular habit and not a once in a blue moon hassle. Now that you know how to clean coffee maker at home, go ahead and give your hardworking machine the care it deserves. 

Disclaimer: The images used in this article are for illustration purpose only. They may not be an exact representation of the products, categories and brands listed in this article.