Making the jump to a Keurig coffee maker was a pretty big investment for me (I can be a bit frugal!) Once we made the switch to a Keurig I wanted to make sure I maintained it so I researched how to clean a Keurig and thought I would share that with y'all today.
It's important to regularly clean and descale a Keurig machine in order to have the best-tasting coffee. Over time mineral depoits and limescale buildup can affect your machine, especially if you have hard water. Bacteria and mold can also build up in the machine over time if it is not cleaned properly.
You can clean your machine with Keurig's Descaling Solution or simply use standard white vinegar.
Luckily cleaning and descaling a Keurig coffee machine with vinegar is not hard at all! Here is the step by step tutorial to keep your Keurig sparkling and your coffee tasting great.
Descaling step by step
Time needed: 1 hour
Step by step tutorial for how to clean a Keurig with vinegar.
- Remove reservoir
Remove the water reservoir and reservoir lid. These should NOT be put in the dishwasher. Instead, clean them with a wet soapy cloth and then rinse thoroughly.
To clean the filter screen at the bottom of the reservoir simply run it under a strong stream of water or fill your reservoir with water and agitate it. Don't dry the reservoir or lid with a towel, let them air dry to avoid getting lint in your reservoir (and therefore your coffee!)
- Clean the K-cup holder
Remove the K-cup pod holder. BE CAREFUL! There are needles inside there y'all...let's not bloody up the Keurig, okay?
To remove the K-cup holder hold it firmly on either side of the top and push up from the bottom with your other hand. It is clearly impossible for me to get a picture of myself doing this since I need one hand for the camera but I've shown the hand positions below-just do both together! You may need to very gently wiggle but don't force it or you will risk breaking it.
Once you get your holder off you can pop it in the dishwasher on a LOW-TEMPERATURE cycle. (Did you grasp the importance of the low temp there?) If you need to clear the exit needle at the bottom of the K-cup holder you can do so with a paper clip pushed up from the bottom.
- Clean the Keurig machine
Use an old toothbrush or other small cleaning brush to clean around the needle at the top of the K-cup holder assembly and around the interior if necessary. Wipe the exterior of the Keurig with a damp non-abrasive cloth dipped in soapy water.
- Clean the Drip Tray
Remove the Drip Tray and clean with a-you guessed it-soapy, damp cloth. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
- Reassemble
Reassemble your Keurig after all the parts are clean. Get ready to descale that bad boy if your Descale light is lit or it has been more than 3-6 months since your last descaling.
- Descale Keurig with Vinegar
To descale the Keurig, you will need 24 oz of undiluted white vinegar, 24 ounces of fresh water and a ceramic mug.
First, turn off the Auto Off Function if it is on. Empty your water reservoir and if you have a water filter in the reservoir remove that as well. Pour the vinegar and water into the reservoir and place a large mug as usual. Do not use a K-cup pack, just close the brewer and push the largest cup brew cycle button. The Keurig will brew a hot cup of vinegar water.
When it is finished dump the vinegar into a sink and continue repeating the process until your Add Water light turns on. Let the Keurig sit (still on) for 1 hour. After the 1 hour dump any remaining vinegar in the reservoir down the sink and rinse it thoroughly. - Rinse!
Congratulations. You have been descaled. But now your coffee/tea/cocoa will taste like vinegar so let's rinse it out and finish the job! Fill your reservoir to the max fill line with fresh water and run your cleansing brew (no K-cup) just like we did with the vinegar. Repeat until the Add Water light turns on.
- Reset descale light
Once the descaling is complete you can reset the descale button (if it was lit up) by pressing the 8 oz and 10 oz buttons together for 3 seconds.
FAQs
If you thoroughly rinse the machine there should be no lingering vinegar taste. If you still feel like you taste vinegar, simply repeat the fresh water cycle again.
Vinegar is acidic and could possibly corrode your machine if left too long. I do not recommend leaving it overnight.
Both methods are equally effective at removing calcium deposits and mineral buildup in the coffee maker.
You're all done!
By making sure you clean and descale your Keurig regularly you can make sure you protect your investment and continue to enjoy a good tasting cup of coffee for a long, long time!
When was the last time you cleaned your Keurig?
You might also find these cleaning posts useful:
Leslie says
Hi We are using our 4th keurig. And my hubby just cleaned it with the vinegar just like many others have done and again just like the 3 before this it will not work only half a cup of vinegar came through it turns on makes the noise like it is working but it is not the vinegar solution does not work only stops the machine from working I will not be buying another one 4 is enough it can't be a fluke its has happened every time.
Sandi Mc says
Double duty when you use vinegar to clean your Keurig... pour baking soda down each side of your kitchen sink drains. As you dump the vinegar into the sink, they combine and clean out & "de-stink" your drains. Just don't run any water down the drain. Let it sit as long as you can & done!!
Melissa says
Great tip!! I'll use that for sure! ~Melissa
DeeDee W says
I've been avoiding the descaling part because the first time I did it - nothing but vinegar coffee! It took soooo many cycles of just water to finally get it to go back to normal. And I don't have a filter at the bottom! But I love whoever suggested the addition of baking soda! I'm gonna give it a try AFTER I have my cup this morning 🙂
Kelsey says
I thought this was a good idea until I actually did it . Now, my keurig brews coffee with vinegar water no matter how hard I try to clean it. Help?
Melissa says
I'm sorry Kelsey have you run clean water through it a few times? I've never had mine still keep the vinegar smell/taste after running through with clean water.
Merle says
I highly doubt that!
Tony says
Did you check to see if you left the filter in? That would cause that.
Merle says
I highly doubt that! I DID fill in required fields. You just don’t want to post. Not to mention a full cup is not dispensed. I have followed ALL directions!
Melissa Riker says
I'm sorry Merle, I'm not sure what you are referring to?
Deb says
I did that once. Realized the charcoal filter was still inside. Took it out and let water run thru it a few minutes. All fixed
D Hanson says
I know that Keurig has several models out now.....however, I bought a MINI a couple of years ago. It seems that most of the instructions of how to clean is meant for a larger unit. I'm just going to try the vinegar method followed by purified water (which is what the instructions for the machine says to use anyway....I've never used anything but purified water!!)
Dan says
I was devastated when I found out how dirty my Keurig was. I never realized or gave any thought to how it can get gunked up! This is a great post and one that every Keurig owner should be made aware of! Thank you for the info.
Kat Langworthy says
Yeah i did all that, and after 10 run throughs i can't get the vinegar taste out of my coffee, any suggestions. I was thinking alcohol the drinking kind, lol
Melissa says
Kat does your Keurig have a water filter in the reservoir? Mine does not but I know some do and if you don't remove it before running the vinegar through that would probably make the vinegar taste near impossible to get out. That's the only thing I can think of that that would cause that...the vinegar should rinse out very easily.
SamanthA says
i followed all the instructions but it is still tasting like vinegar! I have let it sit on for the 4 hours twice and it has been two days and still yuck! How can I fix this?? 🙁
Taylor says
Tip I learned when I couldn't get rid of vinegar taste after several runs refilling the tank, is to stir a tablespoon or two of baking soda in some hot water (I just used one of the mug full of hot water after I did a brew without a k cup) and add it into the tank and brew a few more times to flush out that vinegar taste/smell for good.
Melissa says
Great tip Taylor! Thank you!
Coffee K-Cups in Chicago says
I have to go clean my machine now… It's been several months.
Melanie says
descaling? I've never heard of this. have a keurig and love it! It this a suggested process? how often? simply confused
Melissa Riker says
Hi Melanie, descaling gets the layers of minerals out of the inside of the Keurig that build up from water. My keurig has a light that actually comes on when its time to descale it, does yours?
Emily says
I can't BELIEVE we went so long without a Keurig! I finally bought one for my husband's birthday a few months ago - and we use it EVERY SINGLE DAY. Husband brews a cup straight into his travel mug for his commute, I wait until the kids are on the bus to come home and brew my own mug. I also use it for any time I need a cup or two of very hot water, I particularly like to use it to mix jello. I just use a measuring cup instead of a coffee mug (so it's easier to pour out). We bought a reusable brewing cup to use with regular bags of ground coffee so save on coffee costs, but I really do prefer the taste of my favorite Vue cup. The keurig website is the cheapest place I've found the cups, and I just want until they email me a coupon code or a special. I just bought last week, in fact, when the special was buy 2 boxes at 10% off, get 1 box free plus free shipping. Once a week or so, I run a few cycles of mugs of hot water. I usually get a few grains of loose coffee grounds, so I just run hot water through until it's clear.
Melissa Riker says
Seriously-using a keurig for jello-you are a genius Emily!!!!
JozieLee says
Like you I didn't think we needed a coffeemaker, but hubby wanted one. He seldom uses it. I use it almost daily for coffee, tea, anything needing a cup of hot water. LOVE IT. Now I'd better descale. Thanks for the instructions.
Melissa says
you're very welcome JozieLee!
Tammy says
I never drank coffee until we got one, thought it was to strong. My hubby would take a cup with him to work, one morning I reused his pod to make iced coffee cubes and took a sip, it wasnt strong. Now I use the pods twice - 1st time for him, 2nd time for me.
I recommend descaling it regularly. I hadn't done ours in the two years we owned it. And one day it just stopped working - of course, it was the morning that I really needed my coffee (up late the night before and had to get up early the next morning). After researching the problem with the machine and speaking with customer service, who offered to send me a "replacement" one for $130, I might as well spend another $20 and get a brand new one. I ended up getting the cuisinart, which is very similar.
Melissa Riker says
Such a good idea to use the pods twice!
Judy says
The coffee is too strong for me, so I run the same pod twice into my small Corning Ware tea pot. I stir both runs together and pour it into my coffee cup. Just right! I place the tea pot on my glass top range burner at a low temp and it is nice and hot for my second cup. This works best for me! I tried using a pod the second time after giving my husband the first run and it was just too weak for me.
Melissa says
Great idea Judy-I never thought to do that!
Jamie Koenig says
This is perfect we havent been able to use our because I had no idea how to clean it. ty for posting...new follower
Melissa Riker says
Thanks Jamie, following you back!
shawna says
One suggestion - Please choose a NEW & UNUSED toothbrush as a cleaning tool for items used in food prep!
Melissa Riker says
Great point!!!!
Runt says
You weren't the only one without a Keurig... we still don't have one! But we are contemplating it. I'm just trying to decide if buying the K-Cups is equal to or less than buying coffee in it's regular container. What do you think? Do you have an opinion on that?
Melissa Riker says
I think if you're drinking full pots of coffee everyday it would end up being more expensive. We only brew one to two cups a day during the week so it is the same or less expensive for us.
Runt says
Okay that makes sense. Honestly I am not a coffee drinker and my Hubs only brews coffee on the weekends. But when he does brew coffee on the weekends he tends to have two or three cups. Maybe I can convince him that at least this way he can have different flavors if he wants! Thanks for the info. =]
jill says
If you decide on the Keurig you can get the k cups on Amazon at a much more reasonable price than your local grocery store. You can also get them at Costco in bulk. The San Francisco bay on Amazon is the best deal I've found so far though! :0)
Melissa Riker says
Great tip! We are military so I stock up at our commissary-they are marked up so much in the regular grocery stores!
Crystal G. says
You don't have to use the K-cups. They make a re-usable Keurig cup. You fill it with your regular ground coffee.
ron says
Can you put the reusable K-cups in the dishwasher ? thanks
Melissa says
I'm not sure Ron, I hand wash mine and they come clean very easily.
Karen says
I have the Keurig brand reusable cup and I love it. I put it in the silverware compartment in my dishwasher every few days, just rinsing ( letting the grounds flow down my disposal) days in between. It is cheaper and so much better for the environment!
David Haynes says
Yep, we do that from time to time, but, we usually end up with a few grounds in the cup. Not a deal breaker for me.
Rachel says
You're not alone I just got one Wednesday for my Christmas present (we do Christmas on Christmas Eve.) They have a reusable kcup my mom bought me. You pour the regular coffee into it and it makes it like a kcup. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on it just buy the bag of coffee and the reusable cup.
Melissa says
That's so funny you mentioned that Rachel, my husband just got us one this past weekend and I used it for the first time this morning! It will definitely lower our grocery bill a bit to not have to buy the Kcups (especially with my husband, I drink one cup a day but he drinks probably 5!)
Tania says
Buy the filter cup for the machine and use your own coffee
Judy Williams says
I Ithink it depends on what coffee you use. For instance. Starbucks coffee vs Starbucks K cups. Big difference in cost per cup.