How to Clean a Keurig—All You Need Is 30 Minutes and White Vinegar | Architectural Digest

Odds are that if you’re making a cup of joe, your mind is on caffeine instead of thinking through how to clean a Keurig coffee maker. Unlike most traditional coffee makers, the pod holder for the K-Cup is a damp and dark place. The water reservoir can get icky if left unattended for too long, and the drip tray beneath the coffee cup doesn’t just collect water—it’s also a bath for bacteria and sludgy grime. What’s more, hard water increases mineral deposits that can cause your Keurig mechanisms to glitch. That said, learning how to clean a coffee maker of this caliber doesn’t have to sap all of your energy—after all, a coffee machine shouldn’t drain you. That would just be ironic.

The good news: This appliance can be easy to maintain, especially if you set a regular reminder to descale the single-serve coffee maker. Here, a step-by-step guide to a clean machine so you have a perfect cup of coffee every time. Plus, we’re sharing AD-approved Keurigs and cleaning essentials you can shop on retailers like Amazon as an extra perk.

What is the best way to clean a Keurig?

Think of cleaning a Keurig in three parts: Wiping down the exterior, rinsing out clogs and buildup, and descaling to get rid of calcium deposits. The simplest no-fuss solution is to invest in a Keurig descaling solution and maintenance kit, available on Amazon. But there are plenty of things you can do to tackle scale buildup using household products like white vinegar and distilled water.

Step 1

Water and electricity don’t mix. Unplug your Keurig machine before you start cleaning.

Step 2

Remove the water reservoir (or water tank). Pour out leftover water, preferably into a nearby plant. It’s a good idea to clean the container at least once a week with soapy water. If your Keurig has a water filter, remove and replace the water filter cartridge once every two months. Dedicate an old toothbrush to scrubbing grimy coffee residue from corners of the drip tray. It’s also a great tool to clean under the K-Cup pack holder (where the coffee comes out). Allow all the pieces to air dry.

Step 3

Clean the pod holder. Lift the handle to open the machine and gently push the K-Cup holder from beneath (yes, it comes out). This further breaks down into two pieces, one of which is the funnel with the brewer needle. With a paper clip, gently circle inside the opening to dislodge coffee grounds and release clogs stuck to the insides. A toothbrush, a damp cotton swab, or even an unused mascara applicator can do the job. Once you’re satisfied, rinse the funnel and K-Cup holder with hot water. Don’t forget to clean the brewing needle—here a paper clip is also your friend.

Step 4

For a more serious clean, use white vinegar or descaling solution to remove mineral deposits from the water reservoir. You only need to do this every three to six months.

Step 5

Now, start the brew cycle using fresh water only. You’re not making a cup of coffee yet so skip the pod. Repeat this step several times to flush out the descaling chemical or vinegar.

Step 6

Wipe down the exterior surface with a microfiber cloth to minimize water spots and reinstate your Keurig’s newness factor.

How do I clean the inside of my Keurig?

Empty the entire descaling solution into the water reservoir, and then add filtered water until it reaches the brim (you can also buy distilled water, but plain water from the tap is acceptable in a pinch too). Plug the machine back in, turn it on, and place the largest mug you own under the sprout. Program the machine to brew to the highest cup setting (8 or 10 ounces). Start the brew cycle.

Repeat this process until the reservoir is empty, dumping the solution from mug to sink as you go. Once you’re finished, let the machine sit for about a 30 minutes so that the solution can soak the inner parts. Then, rinse out the reservoir once again with fresh water by starting another brew cycle sans coffee. Per the Keurig manufacturing instructions, it takes about a dozen cycles to full flush out the chemicals so they don’t end up in your cup of coffee. As the final step, leave an empty mug underneath the funnel, in case water leaks out. You Keurig should be spic-and-span for your morning coffee.

How do I clean my Keurig with white vinegar?

If the Keurig descaling solution isn’t on hand, white vinegar is the cleaning solution you can have on hand. You’ll want to do equal parts water and vinegar. Fill the reservoir about halfway with white vinegar, and then add water until you reach the top. Don’t fill the reservoir all the way to the top with vinegar, otherwise you might have a vinegar taste—a coffee flavoring you’ll want to skip. Lift the lid so that the solution can go into the Keurig. The vinegar solution can stay in the machine for about 30 minutes, but don’t let it sit for more than three hours.