How to Clean and Descale a Coffee Maker
Mineral scale and coffee oils slowly make coffee taste flat and can slow brewing. A quick routine every few weeks keeps your machine working well.
Check your manual first
Some manufacturers require their own descaling solution and warn that vinegar can damage seals or void the warranty. Follow the manual if it says so.
Daily and weekly cleaning
Rinse the carafe and filter basket after each use. Once a week, wash removable parts in warm soapy water and let them dry fully.
Descaling a drip coffee maker
If your manual allows it:
- Fill the reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water, or a commercial descaler mixed as directed.
- Run half a brew cycle, switch off, and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Finish the cycle, then discard the solution.
- Run two or three cycles of fresh water to rinse.
Descaling a pod machine
Most pod machines have a dedicated descale mode or a step-by-step process in the manual. Use the recommended solution, run it through without a pod, then rinse with several reservoirs of clean water.
How often to descale
Every one to three months is typical. Descale more often if you have hard water or if brewing slows down.
