How to Clean Coffee Makers With Vinegar

Every now and then, coffee pots need a thorough cleaning. The taste of the coffee changes as the mineral deposits begin to build up. Hot water alone can't even begin to touch the stains and residue that vinegar so easily removes. Vinegar is acidic and can easily tackle tough stains from lime scale and coffee oils. If the coffee pot hasn't been cleaned in a while, this will lead to a big improvement in the flavor of your coffee.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Remove the mesh filter and scrub it with warm soapy water. Rinse well and allow it to air dry on a clean dry towel.

2. Fill the coffee maker with vinegar and turn it on.

3. Remove the pot or turn it off for a minute to allow the vinegar to sit inside the inner workings of the coffee pot for a minute before starting it again.

4. Remove the pot and dump out the vinegar.

5. Rinse the pot with warm water thoroughly to remove the loosened lime scales.

6. Repeat this process if it has been more than a month since the coffee pot has been cleaned.

7. Pour water into the coffee maker and turn it on to rinse the vinegar out. Coffee absorbs flavors so it is important to make sure both the coffee maker and the pot are completely rinsed out.

8. Allow all of the components of the coffee maker to air dry before.

Tips & Warnings

• Wipe down the outside of the coffee maker with a clean cloth dampened with vinegar and then again with a cloth dampened with water. Put a glass marble in the chamber where the water goes in the coffee pot. This attracts minerals which would otherwise buildup in the coffee pot. Wash the marble once a week if the coffee pot is used daily.