Over time, this can impair your brewer’s efficient drip operation.

The good news is that you could easily clean a coffee maker with vinegar.

Regular maintenance will help your coffee maker perform well and last longer, and it’s fairly simple.

cleaning a coffee maker

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

In these cases, you’re free to clean your coffee pot with soap (steps below).

Remove and Clean the Parts

Empty your coffee maker.

Remove the water filter too, if applicable.

tools for cleaning a coffee maker with vinegar

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

Then, replace the empty filter basket and carafe.

Mix Vinegar and Water

Mix equal partswhite vinegarand water.

Otherwise, mix the water and vinegar in your carafe or another container.

remove the parts of the coffee maker

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

Also, if you use paper filters, place a paper filter in the brew basket.

Allow it to sit for 30 minutes to an hour in both the reservoir and the carafe.

Then, discard the mixture from the carafe, and replace the paper filter (if using).

make a vinegar solution to use in cleaning

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

Fill the water chamber with plain water, and run it through the system for a full brew cycle.

Discard the water, and replace the paper filter (if using).

Allow the coffee maker to cool down.

fill the reservoir with the vinegar solution

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

Then, repeat a full brew cycle with water.

Achange of water filteris also a good idea if your brewer has one.

Finally, thoroughly wipe the exterior of your coffee maker with a damp soft cloth.

run half of a drip cycle

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

For this method, you’ll use just water and dish soap.

Also, remove the permanent filter if you have one.

Run Hot Water

Partially fill your sink or a large container with hot water.

pour out the filtered through cleaning solution

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

Add Dish Soap

Add dish soap to the water.

Ideally use a brand that is formulated for removing oil.

Wash thoroughly with a soft cloth or sponge to remove any coffee grounds and oily residue.

run the next two cycles with water

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

Clean the Carafe

Discard any remaining coffee, and rinse the carafe in warm water.

Add a little of the soapy water, and thoroughly clean the carafe with a soft cloth or sponge.

Rinse With Warm Water

Rinse the brew basket, permanent filter, and carafe with warm water.

rinse the outside of the carafe in warm soapy water

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

Wipe with a dry cloth, and set them on a drying rack.

Then, dampen a cloth in fresh water to wipe away any soap residue.

Reassemble the Coffee Maker

When the parts are dry, put your coffee maker back together.

tools to clean a coffee maker with soap and water

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

A deeper cleaning to remove mineral deposits should be done at least every three months.

In this case, a monthly cleaning is recommended.

Always follow the manufacturer’s detailed instructions.

removing the brew basket from the coffee maker

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

In general, you’re able to use dish soap and white vinegar to clean these machines.

Baking soda can be effective at removing stains, but it won’t be very powerful against lime.

Vinegar is better at removing lime buildup.

run the sink with hot water

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

add soap to the warm water in the sink

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

remove the brew basket from the machine and place it in warm soapy water

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

use a sponge to clean the pitcher

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

set the rinsed coffee maker parts aside to dry

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

pat dry the coffee maker

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

reassemble the coffee maker once dry

The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu