There are all sorts of ways to clean a coffee maker. A simple cleaning can restore its freshness, remove hardened stains and prevent future complications. But how should you actually go about it? That’s where we come in. Here are all the best methods on how to clean a coffee maker.

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Your Coffee Maker Needs Cleaning If...
How Often Should You Clean Your Coffee Maker?
How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Vinegar
How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Baking Soda
How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Bleach

Your Coffee Maker Needs Cleaning If...

• There’s a visible residue that won’t go away after rinsing.
• Your coffee tastes 'off'.
• It has a slower brew time or produces strange noises.

How Often Should You Clean Your Coffee Maker?

Monthly: A deeper clean (this article will cover all the popular ways).
Daily: A quick rinse with hot, soapy water after each use.

How to Clean a Coffee Maker

While the steps on how to clean a coffee maker don’t vary, the cleaning solution you choose can. Which one works best for you?

How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Vinegar

Best for: when you want a cleaner that’s already in your house.

Step 1: Empty the carafe of any leftover coffee and rinse with water. If there are any grounds left in the filter, remove those.

Step 2: Mix equal parts water and vinegar. Pour this mixture into the water chamber, filling it to the brim.

Step 3: Begin a brew cycle. Roughly halfway through the cycle, turn off the coffee maker. Let it sit for 30 minutes to one hour, then complete the cycle.

Step 4: Empty the carafe of the mixture (careful: it’s hot!) and rinse. Fill the carafe with water and brew a new cycle. When this is complete, empty and rinse again. If there is any lingering cleaning solution, repeat this step until it is removed.

Step 5: Rinse and wash your coffee’s filter with hot, soapy water. If the exterior of your coffee maker needs a wipe down, use a clean rag.

How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Baking Soda

Best for: tough stains.

Step 1: Empty the carafe of any leftover coffee and rinse with water. If there are any grounds left in the filter, remove those.

Step 2: Mix ¼ cup baking soda with 1 cup water. Pour this mixture into the water chamber, filling it to the brim.

Step 3: Begin a brew cycle. Roughly halfway through the cycle, turn off the coffee maker. Let it sit for 30 minutes to one hour, then complete the cycle.

Step 4: Empty the carafe of the mixture and rinse. Fill the carafe with water and brew a new cycle. When this is complete, empty and rinse again. If there is any lingering cleaning solution, repeat this step until it is removed.

Step 5: Rinse and wash your coffee’s filter with hot, soapy water. If the exterior of your coffee maker needs a wipe down, use a clean rag.

How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Bleach

Best for: when it needs a deep clean.

Step 1: Empty the carafe of any leftover coffee and rinse with water. If there are any grounds left in the filter, remove those.

Step 2: Mix 1 cup bleach with 4 cups water. Pour this mixture into the water chamber, filling it to the brim.

Step 3: Begin a brew cycle. Roughly halfway through the cycle, turn off the coffee maker. Let it sit for 30 minutes to one hour, then complete the cycle.

Step 4: Empty the carafe of the mixture and rinse. Fill the carafe with water and brew a new cycle. When this is complete, empty and rinse again. If there is any lingering cleaning solution, repeat this step until it is removed.

Step 5: Rinse and wash your coffee’s filter with hot, soapy water. If the exterior of your coffee maker needs a wipe down, use a clean rag.