How to Clean your Coffee Maker and Glass Carafe Naturally

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By cygnetbrown
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (4 Ratings)

Where I live we have extremely hard water. So hard for that matter that we've thrown out a number of coffee makers because of lime build-up in the line in the coffee maker. There are products on the market that take care of this problem but I prefer this more natural method of cleaning my coffee maker and coffee pot.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

NON BUNN type coffee maker
glass coffee pot
vinegar
salt
ice cubes
green scratchy pad.

Step 1

Before starting to clean your coffee maker, be sure to remove used coffee filter from basket and put basket back into position.
Step 2

Next, into reservoir, add 1/2 cup of either cider vinegar or white distilled vinegar. Turn on coffee maker and allow vinegar to begin running through into the coffee pot. Don't let all of the vinegar run through. Turn off coffee maker while there is still vinegar in the reservoir and a little has made it through to the coffee pot. This way you will know you have vinegar in the lines of the coffee maker.
Step 3

Allow the vinegar to set in the coffee lines for at least half an hour. Then allow the vinegar to finish running through the lines.
Step 4

Now, clean the glass coffee carafe. Place 2 tablespoons salt, and enough ice to cover the bottom of the pot. Add 2 tablespoons vinegar and swish contents in circular motion until the coffee stains lift from the glass surface. Use green scratchy pad if necessary to remove stubborn spots. When finished, empty contents from the carafe and clean ans usual with dish-washing liquid and water.
Step 5

Clean the outside of the coffee maker with vinegar and scratchy pad. Wipe dry with soft cloth or paper towels. Now run water through the coffee maker to remove vinegar from coffee maker lines.
Step 6

Repeat this process every week to prevent lime build up.

Comments

aerle1 said

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on 8/21/2009 Thanks for the article. Its good advice. We have hard water here and we burn through coffee makers.

edieness said

on 6/3/2009 Great article. My mom will love that I read this one she is always wanting me to clean my coffee pot. 5 stars for making my mom happy. :) Pretty cool article. Nice work.