How to Properly Clean Your Coffee maker-

Whether you paid hundreds of dollars, or $8.99, like I did at the Dollar Store for your coffee maker. If you clean it right, it will last for many years. We all know about running the vinegar and water through your coffee maker monthly to clean it. But.. there is more,

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• pipe cleaners or Q-tips
• vinegar
• scouring pad

1. 
   Lexington Virginia

   After you run the vinegar water solution through your maker. Take Q-tips, dampen them, and run them all along the area above where the filter basket rests. Most makers have a space above the basket, where an opening and holes are. Only running the vinegar solution will not get this clean.

2. 

   You will see particles of old grounds and debris, Take the pipe cleaners and stick them in the holes to clean those.

3. 
   Bedford, Penn.

   Continue cleaning the circular area and holes until your q-tips, or pipe cleaners have less, and less brownish stains on them. You should be able to get most of the residue off.

4. 
   Tacoma Washington

   Next; you just take the scouring pad and clean the burner area. Take a damp cloth to wipe any soap that could be left.

Tips & Warnings

• You can run the one part vinegar, two parts water monthly.
• Basket, and burner cleaning does not have to be as often
• Four times a year is plenty
• Make sure your coffee maker is unplugged
• Do not get any electrical parts wet
• Wipe off any soap,water before you use your drip maker again.

Resources

• Coffee Pot Landmarks
• E Zine

[starlet67]

on 3/26/2009 Great article on using vinegar to clean your coffee maker! Love the photos!5*

[Jederman]

on 2/8/2009 i really need to do this... i think it's been awhile since we cleaned the coffee maker!

[chameleon]

on 1/12/2009 Great article on cleaning a coffee maker - surprising how many people never think of this! The photos are great too! I'm linking to your article from my blog at http://coffeebreak.today.com

[lildutchgirl56]

on 11/22/2008 Love the photos! Great article. Thanks