Almost everyone owns one, but not everyone knows how to clean a Keurig. They come in a rainbow of colors and different sizes, perfect for every countertop and household. Whether it’s compact enough for a college dorm or prepared to pump out eight cups of piping hot java without needing a refill, all Keurigs have something in common: the last time they were clean was when you took them out of the box.
Your Keurig works tirelessly for you seven days a week, it’s time give it the makeover it’s always wanted. Keurig makes two products specifically for cleaning your machine, a descaling solution and a special rinse pod, but altogether this can run you upwards of thirty bucks. When you add in shipping, the price just goes up. Luckily for those of us on a budget, there’s a cheaper, more natural way to clean a Keurig.
#SpoonTip: Keurig recommends cleaning your machine every six months or when there’s white calcium buildup on the sides of the reservoir (more on this later).
Supplies Needed
+ Water
+ Dish soap
+ White distilled vinegar
+ An old rag or paper towel
Step One
If your machine has one, remove the drip tray from the front of the device. The surface of the metal try is most likely splattered with coffee or tea from repeated use, but the real horror is inside. Remove the metal lid and you’ll find more dried and sticky coffee, tea, or cocoa stains than you thought imaginable. All you need to do is give it a good scrub with soap and water, and the stains will come right off.
Step Two
Empty the water reservoir and fill it with white distilled vinegar. Turn on the machine, remove any left over K-Pods, and place a mug under the spout like you normally would. Hit ‘brew.’ Hot vinegar will come pouring out the machine, and it will most likely look yellow the first few times you brew it. This is because it’s cleaning out leftover beverage residue in the pod housing and spout.
Using vinegar instead of water also prevents calcium build up in your machine. If you’ve left on a long vacation or not touched the Keurig in a while, you may notice white buildup forming on the sides of a reservoir. This is called scaling and is why Keurig sells the descaling solution. Vinegar will mimic the effects of the Keurig brand solution and will keep your machine squeaky clean without having to buy any additional products.
Step 3
Lift the lid and carefully clean around the rim of the K-cup housing using a damp cloth. Watch what you’re doing and make sure you don’t accidentally scratch yourself on the piercer used to get hot water into the cup.
Step 4
Fill the reservoir with water and run the machine a few times to make sure there’s no leftover vinegar when you go to brew your next cup. As it’s brewing, wipe down the sides of the machine with a soapy cloth to remove any dust or additional debris that may have collected.
You’re now ready to brew to your heart’s content knowing the coffee you’re drinking isn’t a blend of every cup of coffee ever made since you got the brewer from your mom’s college friend in New Jersey, who re-gifted it to you when she got an upgrade after having the machine since its release in 2004. Or maybe that’s just me.
#SpoonTip: If you’re a Keurig addict, check out these nine things you can make in your machine, besides coffee.