Your Keurig Needs Some Love: Here’s How to Clean It Properly
23
Jun
Jun
If you don’t clean your Keurig regularly, it could start growing mold.
When Was the Last Time You Checked Your Keurig for Mold?
Your trusty Keurig delivers your daily dose of caffeine, but if you don’t deep-clean it weekly, it can become quite dirty. We’ll show you how to get your Keurig back in shape quickly.
The Importance of Regular Cleaning
Leaving your Keurig dirty can result in a buildup of leftover coffee and coffee grounds, affecting both the machine’s performance and the taste of your coffee. Even worse, a dirty Keurig is a perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Fortunately, it’s easy to give your Keurig the care it needs.
Comprehensive Cleaning Guide
We’ve compiled everything you need to know about cleaning all parts of your Keurig, from the drip trays to the brewing mechanisms and even the exterior. Plus, check out our top coffee maker picks for 2024 and information on Keurig’s new compostable coffee pods.
Immediate Maintenance Tips
Remove Coffee Pods Promptly: One of the best things you can do is to remove used coffee pods once they’ve cooled down and address any spills or drips immediately. Brewed coffee can grow mold quickly, and you don’t want that in your Keurig pod holder.
Exterior Cleaning
Wipe Down Daily: Start by wiping the outside of your Keurig with a warm, damp cloth or paper towel daily. Ensure the machine is turned off and unplugged before cleaning.
Drip Tray
Daily Wash: Wash the drip tray daily with warm water and dish soap to prevent coffee stains and buildup.
Water Reservoir and Lid
Hand Wash or Dishwasher: Clean the water reservoir and lid daily with warm water and dish soap. Some models allow these parts to be dishwasher-safe, but always remove any water filters first. Fresh water daily tastes much better than stale water.
Coffee Carafe and Basket
For K-Duo Users: If you have a K-Duo coffee pot, wash the carafe and basket daily. These can be hand-washed or placed in the dishwasher, depending on your model.
Pod Holder
Weekly Clean: The pod holder can get very dirty quickly. Clean it weekly, or more often if necessary. Remove the pod-holder assembly by gently pulling it out and detach the pod holder from the funnel. Be careful of sharp exit needles. Rinse with water and scrub away any stains or coffee grounds.
Full Rinse and Descaling
To keep your Keurig running smoothly, perform a regular cleaning brew or descale process quarterly. Descaling removes buildup from the brewing mechanism, ensuring optimal coffee taste.
Hot Water Rinse: Start by running hot water through your Keurig as you would if brewing coffee, but without a coffee pod.
Descaling Solution: Use a mixture of one part vinegar and one part water, or Keurig’s descaling solution. Pour the solution into the reservoir and run the machine. Let it rest for 45 minutes after the process.
Final Rinse. Run plain water through your Keurig several times after descaling to remove any residual taste.
For more cleaning tips, check out how to make a natural, all-purpose cleaner with three ingredients and how to speed-clean your kitchen in less than 15 minutes.