How to Clean / Descale a Keurig Coffee Maker

How do I clean/descale a Keurig coffee maker?

This is an important question – one that we’re asked all the time – so we thought it was time to address it! It is important to properly maintain your Keurig coffee maker and regular cleaning helps your Keurig stand the test of time.

General Cleaning: Cleaning the Brewer and K-Cup Holder

Think of washing your brewer as you wash your clothes – some are machine wash, hand wash or dry clean only, not to mention different colors! You don’t usually throw a mixed load of clothes in your washing machine without first sorting the colors and knowing the care instructions on the labels.  This applies to cleaning your coffee maker as well, since throwing your entire coffee maker in the dishwasher is definitely not recommended!

We suggest reading all the instructions that Keurig provides for your coffee maker. According to Keurig, a soapy, damp and non-abrasive cloth should do the trick when it comes to surface cleaning. Certain removable parts are dishwasher safe; others are not and need to be hand-washed.

Keurig also gives you step by step instructions on how to remove and clean the K-Cup holder.

Descaling your Keurig Brewer

At CoffeeCow.com, we suggest following Keurig’s recommendations on the descaling of your coffee maker.

Depending on water type (e.g. high mineral content), usage and performance, your Keurig coffee maker should be descaled every 3-6 months. Though harmless, scale will hinder the performance of any brewer, and will even affect the taste of your coffee.

Fear not! The solution is as easy as it comes – white vinegar. Simply run a vinegar rinse followed by a fresh water rinse, and voila! You’re back to great tasting coffee out of your high performance brewer. Keurig also offers detailed descaling instructions on this process.

For more information on how to properly care for your Keurig brewers, check out these userguides. Don’t forget to visit CoffeeCow.com todayto see our full list of coffee products!