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Coffee makers are convenient household appliances that can provide you with a fresh cup of java first thing in the morning. However, due to the high levels of moisture, they can easily harbor mold and bacteria. Drip filter coffee makers require cleaning after each use. They also need to be deep cleaned monthly to remove hard water deposits, leftover coffee oils, and other impurities. With a little elbow grease, you can keep your coffee maker nice and clean.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Your Coffee Maker After Each Use

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Coffee Maker
    Remove any parts that come off, such as the pot, the brew basket, and any other removable parts. These part should be cleaned separately from the rest of the coffee maker.[1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Coffee Maker
    Submerge the removable parts in warm, soapy water, and wash them using a dish rag. You can wash removable parts of your coffee maker the same way you would wash dishes.[2]
    • Glass pots can be very breakable. When washing your coffee maker's pot, treat the glass gingerly.
    • Some coffee makers may have parts that can be washed in a dishwasher. Check the instructions manual, if you still have it. If you're unsure if your coffee maker can be washed in the dishwasher, err on the side of caution and hand wash it.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Coffee Maker
    Take a wet, soapy rag and give the outside of the machine a good wipe down. Wipe down the sides and remove any coffee grinds from the warming plate. When you're down, wipe off any soap suds with a clean, damp rag.[3]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Coffee Maker
    After all the parts are dry, you can put your coffee machine back together. It is ready to use again. Make a habit of cleaning your coffee maker like this after each use.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Deep Cleaning Your Coffee Maker

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Coffee Maker
    [4] Make a mixture using 2 parts warm water and 1 part white vinegar.[5] The precise amounts will vary depending on the size of your coffee maker, but make roughly enough to fill the reservoir. Pour the mixture into the reservoir like you normally would with water when making coffee.[6]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Coffee Maker
    [7] Turn the coffee machine on. Keep an eye on it as it brews. Once about half the pot is full with the filtered vinegar/water mixture, turn the pot off.[8]
  3. Set a timer for an hour. Let the coffee pot sit for this time frame.[9] This will give the vinegar time to sit in the machine and clean out any mold.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Coffee Maker
    After letting the coffee maker sit for an hour, turn the machine back on. Let it run the rest of the brew cycle.[10] When done, all the vinegar/water mixture should be filtered into the pot. You can pour this mixture down the sink.[11]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Coffee Maker
    Fill your coffee pot with clean water. Pour this into the reservoir and run a complete brew cycle.[12] When it's done, pour the water out and run two more brew cycles with clean water. This should clean any vinegar out of your coffee maker.[13]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Coffee Maker
    After disinfecting the coffee maker, take a clean, damp rag. Wipe down the exterior of the machine to remove any dirt and debris. You should also make sure to remove coffee grinds from the warming plate.[14]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Avoiding Common Mistakes

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  1. If you still have the instructions manual, read it before cleaning your coffee maker. Most coffee makers can safely be cleaned with a vinegar/water mixture, but it's always a good idea to check first.[15]
    • If you don't have the instructions manual, try looking up your model online. You may be able to find an instructions manual on the Internet.
  2. Many people keep the reservoir lid closed. However, it's a good idea to leave it open when not in use. This will help dry out the machine, preventing mold and bacteria from growing in a moist environment.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean a Coffee Maker
    The brew basket is very susceptible to mold as it gets wet during the brewing process. Make sure you rinse out the brew basket after each use and make a habit of cleaning it each time you do dishes. This will keep your coffee maker mold and germ free.[16]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How often should you clean a coffee maker?
    Marcus Shields
    Marcus Shields
    House Cleaning Professional
    Marcus is the owner of Maid Easy, a local residential cleaning company in Phoenix, Arizona. His cleaning roots date back to his grandmother who cleaned homes for valley residents in the 60’s through the 70’s. After working in tech for over a decade, he came back to the cleaning industry and opened Maid Easy to pass his family’s tried and true methods to home dwellers across the Phoenix Metro Area.
    Marcus Shields
    House Cleaning Professional
    Expert Answer
    Try to deep clean your coffee maker once a month so mold doesn't grow inside of it, especially if you use it every day.
  • Question
    How do I clean my coffee maker without vinegar?
    Jonathan Tavarez
    Jonathan Tavarez
    Property Hygiene Enabler
    Jonathan Tavarez is the Founder of Pro Housekeepers, a premium cleaning service headquartered in Tampa, Florida catering to residential and commercial clients across the United States. Since 2015, Pro Housekeepers uses rigorous training methodologies to ensure high quality cleaning standards. Jonathan has over five years of professional cleaning experience and has over two years of experience as the Communications Director for the United Nations Association Tampa Bay. Jonathan earned a BS in Management and Marketing from the University of South Florida in 2012.
    Jonathan Tavarez
    Property Hygiene Enabler
    Expert Answer
    Denture cleaning tabs tend to work well when left in a carafe full of water for about 30 minutes!
  • Question
    How can I get rid of the vinegar taste after cleaning with vinegar?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Do a full cup of water. Let it run through.
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Tips

  • A microfiber towel will clean better than paper towels.
  • Put a glass marble in the water chamber to attract mineral deposits from hard water. Wash it once a week.
  • Never use the coffee pot to pour water into the reservoir. This will transfer oils and impurities from the pot, and eventually give the coffee a nasty taste. Instead, use a pitcher that is reserved for water only.
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About This Article

Jonathan Tavarez
Co-authored by:
Property Hygiene Enabler
This article was co-authored by Jonathan Tavarez. Jonathan Tavarez is the Founder of Pro Housekeepers, a premium cleaning service headquartered in Tampa, Florida catering to residential and commercial clients across the United States. Since 2015, Pro Housekeepers uses rigorous training methodologies to ensure high quality cleaning standards. Jonathan has over five years of professional cleaning experience and has over two years of experience as the Communications Director for the United Nations Association Tampa Bay. Jonathan earned a BS in Management and Marketing from the University of South Florida in 2012. This article has been viewed 3,384,980 times.
7 votes - 86%
Co-authors: 69
Updated: March 4, 2023
Views: 3,384,980
Article SummaryX

To clean your coffee maker, disassemble the moving parts and wash them in warm, soapy water. Wipe down the outside of the machine. Then, reassemble it once the parts are dry. If you need a deeper cleaning, mix equal parts of water and vinegar. Pour the solution into the machine's reservoir. Brew half a cycle, then pause the machine for an hour so the pot and reservoir can soak in the solution. Then, resume the brew cycle. Dump the cleaning solution and brew 2 cycles of plain water to rinse out the coffee maker thoroughly. If you want to learn how to avoid growing mold and bacteria in the coffee maker, keep reading!

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 3,384,980 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Sharon Cox

    Sharon Cox

    Jul 13, 2016

    "This article was very helpful. There was a lot of hard water particles that came out of my coffee maker after..." more
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