For many of us, coffee motivates us out of bed in the morning. At the very least, it’s what puts us in the right headspace to take on our day. But if you’re not cleaning your coffee maker, you’re not getting the best cup you can. 

Clean out your Keurig-style coffee maker to brew better coffee. A dirty machine can work slowly or release some funky aromas. And you deserve a morning coffee that tastes like a barista made it. An uncleaned Keurig may also not make a full cup of joe, and while we believe in seeing the glass as half full, the same logic doesn’t apply to that much-needed morning brew.

What is the best way to clean a Keurig coffee machine?

It’s important to perform your Keurig descaling with vinegar. Descaling is a process recommended by the brand itself that removes mineral build-up like calcium, which isn’t harmful to your health but prevents you from getting the best cup of coffee from your machine. The manufacturer sells descaling solutions, but we’ll show you how to use vinegar and water to achieve a similar clean. 

1. Remove all of the detachable pieces from your Keurig to disassemble the machine, and dump out any water that may be in the reservoir. Then clean the components in the sink using a bit of dish soap and water. You can also do this process in your dishwasher if your coffee maker has pieces that can go in the machine. Consult the coffee maker’s manual before sticking any components in the dishwasher. 

2. Take an old toothbrush or small bottle brush and submerge it in white vinegar. Then, gently scrub the pod holder and the base of the coffee maker. If your maker has a reusable filter, brush this clean. Should it need a deeper cleanse, you can leave it soaking in vinegar.  

3. Dry all of the washed removable parts and reassemble the Keurig, leaving out the filter. Fill the reservoir with a 2:1 mixture of white vinegar and water. If you have a six-cup coffee maker, this means four cups of vinegar and two cups of water. 

4. Let the machine run through a few brew cycles. Be sure to put a cup under the spout to catch any vinegar cycling out of the machine. 

5. Finally, remove the water reservoir and give it a good rinse to eliminate any traces of vinegar. Fill it with fresh water and run the brew cycle a few more times to remove any excess vinegar from the machine. 

Process adapted from HGTV

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Deep cleaning a Keurig

The process shown in the tutorial above will more than suffice for most jobs. However, if you’re cleaning a clogged Keurig and this method doesn’t cut it, you may want to try some of the following hacks. 

1. Use a paperclip

‍Straighten out one side of a metal paperclip. Remove the pod and see if it has holes in the base of the funnel. If so, you can stick the paperclip in these perforations to clear out any clogging coffee grounds in the k-cup holder. Wash the funnel in plain water before replacing it in the machine. 

You can also clean the machine’s needle with a paperclip. The needle is what punctures the coffee pods and may, too, be clogged. Some machines come with a tool that performs a similar function to a paperclip. Use the method described here if your machine doesn’t and you’re wondering how to clean a Keurig without the cleaning attachment.

2. Use a straw

You can try moving air through the water tube by blowing into the line’s opening with a straw. If you aren’t sure where to find this tube, check the bottom part of the tank. Don’t have a straw? You can also use a turkey baster. Be sure to hold the machine upside down (don’t forget to empty the water first) while you perform this process.  

Housekeeper’s tip: Many products, like coffee makers, that come with a warranty, must be serviced in specific ways. Some manufacturers won’t honor warranties if you’ve used methods they don’t recommend to clean or otherwise fix the machine. If you’re worried about ruining your machine (or ruining your chances of cashing in your warranty) you should always follow the maintenance instructions given in the product manual or call the customer service line for guidance. 

Alternative methods

If this method didn’t work for you, or you’re just out of white vinegar, we have some other methods you can try. 

How to clean a Keurig without vinegar

You can substitute the vinegar cleaning solution with a 1:1 lemon juice and water mixture. Since you may need several cups of this mixture to fill the reservoir and run a cleaning cycle as explained above, be sure to buy quite a few lemons (between 10-20). 

How to clean a Keurig with baking soda

If you want to stay away from lemon juice and vinegar, you can try baking soda as another natural cleanser. Dissolve one-quarter cup of baking soda in enough water to fill the machine’s reservoir. Run a cleaning cycle as shown above in the tutorial. 

How often should you clean a Keurig?

According to the manufacturer, you should descale your coffee machine every three to six months. Some models even have a light that comes on when it’s time to descale. If you have clogs or notice that your coffee isn’t tasting right, you can clean the machine whenever needed. Regular cleaning is a great idea.

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Cleaning out your coffee maker for a better brew? Send Gopuff out to the store for some white vinegar (or a ton of lemons). You can order everything you need in seconds and have it at your door in a matter of minutes.