Your Keurig Could Be Harboring Mold and Bacteria. Here’s How to Clean and Descale It for Better-Tasting Coffee
With 40 million U.S. households using a Keurig to brew that glorious morning cup of coffee, there are a lot of machines out there that may need to be cleaned or descaled. According to one study, half of the coffee makers tested by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) had mold and yeast. And these aren't the only areas of your kitchen that are likely dirtier than you think (just check your refrigerator water dispenser). If you haven't cleaned your Keurig lately, it's likely harboring bacteria and mineral deposits inside that are not only making it a health hazard, but clogging the machine so the brew isn’t able to function properly.
Find out how to properly and easily clean and descale your Keurig so you aren’t putting your health at risk and limiting the life of your machine.
How to Clean a Keurig
Cleaning a Keurig coffee maker involves removing organic materials like coffee grounds and oil. Organic materials feed bacteria, so when you get rid of them, bacteria have no reason to hang around.
The following steps offer a general how-to for cleaning your Keurig directions, but as there are many different models of Keurig, you should visit support.keuirg.com for details about your particular model.
What You’ll Need
- Soapy warm water
- Microfiber cloths
- Paper clip or toothpick
Step 1: Take the Keurig apart.
First, unplug your Keurig and make sure it’s completely cool before working on it. When it’s cool, take the water reservoir out of its tray, and then remove the drip tray and any removable parts that hold the K-Cups in place.
Step 2: Wash these parts with soapy water.
Using a soft microfiber cloth and soapy warm water, clean the removable parts: water reservoir and lid, drip tray, and pod holder. Set the parts aside to dry completely before reassembling.
Step 3: Clean the exit needles.
Use a toothpick or paper clip to clean the exit needles that are on the underside of the K-Cup holder and lid. These exit needles can easily get clogged from coffee grounds, making it tougher for your coffee maker to function.
Step 4: Clean the exterior of the machine.
After the interior is clean and drying, use a damp microfiber cloth that’s lint-free to wipe down the entire machine.
How to Descale a Keurig
Descaling removes the mineral build-up that’s collected inside your Keurig. You may see a white coating on certain parts of your machine, which is a chalky mix of calcium and magnesium called limescale, especially if you have hard water and don’t use filtered water to brew your coffee. Over time, this build-up can clog your coffee maker and make it difficult to operate.
There are different descaling methods for various Keurig brewers, so be sure to check your model’s instructions before proceeding. However, here are the general steps for descaling many types of Keurigs.
What You’ll Need
- White vinegar (or Keurig Descale Solution)
- Water
- Large mug
Step 1: Empty the water reservoir.
Remove the water reservoir from the holder and pour out any water.
Step 2: Pour the descaling solution into the water reservoir.
There are two options for descaling solutions. You can use one bottle of Keurig descaling solution or one part water to one part white vinegar. Pour the solution into the water reservoir.
Step 3: Start the Keurig on cleansing brew mode.
Place a large mug onto the drip tray. Then, press the cleansing brew button so the descaling solution will run through the machine.
Theresa Clement, MyFixitUpLife
Step 4: Run water through the Keurig.
After the solution is completely through the brew cycle and into the mug, the machine will need to be rinsed with fresh water. Fill the water reservoir with clean water and run the cleansing brew mode again. You may need to repeat this step a few times until there is no lingering vinegar smell.
FAQs
How often should I descale my Keurig?
“We recommend the consumer descale their brewer every three to six months or when the descale light is illuminated using the Keurig descale solution,” says Morgan Lombardi, Senior Director of Product Management for Keurig, noting that vinegar is also a descaling option.
How often should I clean my Keurig?
Clean your Keurig’s internal components every three to six months to prevent bacteria build-up and any clogging of your coffee maker. Every week, it’s ideal to rinse the pod holder assembly.
Do I need to remove a used pod immediately after brewing?
Always remove the pod after each brew to help maintain a clean and hygienic machine. If someone left a pod in the machine for a day or two, run a cleansing brew or use a Keurig Rinse Pod before making your cup of coffee in order to create the best tasting coffee.
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How do I clean my Keurig between cups?
“If your household brews a lot of different types of coffees or flavored coffee using the Keurig Rinse Pods is a simple, fast way to reduce flavor carry-over between brews,” says Lombardi.
What do I do if there are grounds in my cup?
“If you are experiencing grounds in your cup, it may be time to clean your brewer and K-Cup Pod holder,” says Lombardi.
If my Keurig has been stored away for months, should I clean it prior to use?
Lombardi says: “Hand wash the water reservoir, lid, drip tray, and K-Cup Pod Holder with warm soapy water and rinse clean. If it has been in storage, we recommend that you run a water brew, no K-Cup, before brewing.”