Once you've purchased a Keurig, it can be effortless to immerse yourself in the daily pleasure of your brewed beverages and overlook that maintaining cleanliness of your machine is crucial to its optimal operation.
Once minerals and scale start forming in your Keurig, your morning cup won't be the same. That is why it is crucial to take some time to thoroughly clean your machine every so often.
This post explores three different methods you can use to clean a Keurig so that it lasts as long as possible while delivering exceptional brews every day.
1. Keurig Descaling Solution
The best way to clean a Keurig coffee maker and keep it in good shape is with this descaling solution that Keurig recommends. Over time, the calcium deposits accumulate in your Keurig coffee machine, and without descaling, they can affect the function of your appliance and the quality of the coffee you brew.
The Keurig Descaling Solution can safely and effectively remove the build-up of minerals in your coffee maker to give you better brewing performance and taste in your beverages. By using it every three to six months or whenever the need arises, you can maintain a clean coffee machine that performs exceptionally to give you a tasty cup of coffee.
This product is compatible with all Keurig Coffee makers, including 1.0 and 2.0 K-Cup Pod Coffee makers.
How to Use the Solution to Descale a Keurig
Firstly, you should turn off and unplug the machine and fill the water reservoir with equal portions of the Descaling Solution and freshwater.
The next step is to position a mug under the dispenser and brew a cup of hot water. Once done, remove the water, place back the mug and repeat the step until the reservoir is empty.
Then, rinse out the water reservoir, fill it with fresh water and brew another hot cup of water without the K-cup filter. Once you pour all the water out, you should have a descaled coffee machine.
You should make sure you perform this descaling every 6 months to ensure your machine runs in optimum condition.
2. White Vinegar
If you can't get your hands on the descaling solution, then it's time to find a homemade solution. Vinegar is a common household product that you can use to descale and clean a Keurig Coffee maker. This versatile compound can serve as a cleaner and disinfectant because it comes from acetic acid.
Acetic acid is an organic compound responsible for the pungent vinegar taste and smell. This colorless ingredient is present in most household cleaners available at stores. Vinegar has an acidic nature that is potent enough to dissolve dirt, grease, grime, and mineral deposits. At the same time, it is powerful enough to get rid of bacteria from your coffee maker.
White vinegar is the most ideal for cleaning your machine since it doesn't have any coloring agents. Darker-colored vinegar like apple cider can stain surfaces as you use it to clean. However, since white vinegar has a strong unpleasant smell, you could use apple cider vinegar instead.
How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Vinegar
The first step is to switch off and unplug the machine. Then, take the Keurig apart and wash the detachable parts.
You can clean the K-cup water filter, and the water reservoir in the top rack of the dishwasher since these removable parts are dishwasher safe. However, you should rinse the drip tray and the pod holder in warm soapy water.
As these parts dry, use a damp cloth to wipe the surface of the Keurig. Then, reassemble all the removable parts and plug in the machine.
Fill the reservoir halfway with white distilled vinegar and then fill up the remaining capacity with fresh water. The vinegar will begin the descaling process and work to remove the scale buildup.
Start the brew cycle without the K-cup and repeat the process until the reservoir is empty. Next, repeat this step with freshwater only to wash out the vinegar taste from your machine.
3. Citric Acid
Citric acid is a compound naturally occurring in citrus fruits like lemon and lime. It has multiple uses at home, including general cleaning and disinfecting since it can readily kill bacteria, mold, and mildew. This makes it a perfect alternative for vinegar when you want to clean your Keurig.
It can remove soap scum, hard water stains, rust, and scale buildup from your brewing machine. This acid is also present in numerous cleaning products, which makes it suitable for household use.
Nevertheless, you should be cautious as you use this cleaning agent since inhaling it could lead to respiratory symptoms like coughing, sore throat, and shortness of breath. Ingestion and skin contact could also result in pain, so you should take protective measures as you use them to clean your Keurig.
How to Clean a Keurig with Citric Acid
Start by rinsing out your appliance to remove any residual coffee grounds. Next, fill the water reservoir with about six to eight cups of water along with two teaspoons of the acid powder.
After that, plug in your machine, turn it on, and run the Keurig brew cycle as usual but without the K-cup filter. Once done, remove the basket and pot and pour out the water.
Then, rinse these parts with some hot water. Refill the reservoir with clean water and repeat the process to get rid of the excess acid from your Keurig, and voila! You have successfully descaled your coffee maker.
Importance of Descaling Your Coffee Maker
While water is crucial for your morning cup of coffee, it can easily cause havoc to your Keurig. If you use filtered, tap, mineral, or bottled water in your morning brew, there's a good chance you need to descale and clean it regularly.
This is because the mineral content of water results in a build-up of scale, which causes the formation of thick layers of limescale which can impair the performance of your machine. Moreover, it can affect the taste of your brew, which can be devastating to your caffeinating needs.
As such, getting rid of this mineral buildup is essential for getting an enjoyable cup of coffee.
