For most of us, coffee is more than a tasty beverage — it's an essential part of our morning routine. Refilling the water reservoir and popping a fresh pod into the Keurig and brewing the perfect cup of joe sets the tone for the rest of your day. But, what happens when your coffee stops tasting fresh? Without regular cleaning and maintenance, your single-serve coffee maker may stop working — or worse, grow mold or bacteria that drastically affects the taste of your brew.
It's important to learn how to clean and descale your Keurig on a regular schedule, just as you would your other home appliances like the microwave or dishwasher. "Coffee oils and hard water minerals can build up inside," says Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab. "Not only can build-up impact the taste of your coffee, but if left unchecked, the minerals can clog the machine to the point where it can stop working."
With the help of Forté, we're providing step-by-step instructions for cleaning your Keurig — whether you've got a Keurig K Elite, K-Mini or another of the brand's popular models.
How to regularly clean your Keurig
Whether you use it daily or weekly, how often you use your Keurig impacts how frequently it should be cleaned.
"It's always best to wipe down any splatters from the outside and drip tray every time," says Forté, who also recommends adding fresh water to the reservoir with every brew. If you use your coffee machine on a daily basis, it's best to wash all removable parts once per week.
What you'll need:
- Dish soap
- Sponge or cloth
- Dish towel for drying
Dawn Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap
Instructions:
- Unplug the machine.
- Remove the water reservoir, lid, drip tray and K-cup holder.
- Remove the filter from inside the reservoir and set it aside.
- Hand wash all parts in warm, soapy water.
- Rinse the parts thoroughly and towel dry. It's best to air dry the interior of the water reservoir, so it does not collect any towel lint.
- Wipe down the machine's exterior surface with a damp sponge or cloth. Dry with a clean dish towel.
- Replace all the removable parts, re-insert the water filter and plug the machine back in.
How to descale your Keurig
To encourage the freshest brew, it's important to descale your Keurig every three to six months — three months if you use it daily.
"If you only use it every few days or once per week, you probably only need to descale it every 6 months or so," advises Forté. Hard water minerals build up in your machine over time, which could affect how well your machine works.
Expert tip: If you descale your Keurig 4x a year, try setting a calendar reminder at the start of each new season — so you never forget.
What you'll need:
- Distilled white vinegar or Keurig Descaling Solution
Heinz Distilled White Vinegar
Keurig Descaling Solution
Instructions:
- Remove any water filter and fill the reservoir with either 16 ounces of white vinegar orKeurig Descaling Solution followed by 16 ounces of water.
- Place a mug on the drip tray and lift the brewer handle as if inserting a K-cup.
- Select the largest cup size and brew a cup as usual into the mug.
- Empty the mug and repeat this process until the ADD WATER indicator is illuminated.
- Let the coffee maker rest for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Empty the reservoir and wash it thoroughly. Fill it to the MAX line with fresh water and perform 12 rinsing brews using the largest cup size to remove any traces of vinegar or descaling solution.
- Re-insert or replace the water filter.
How to clean the needles in your Keurig
Used to puncture the lid of your coffee pod, the brewer's needles are located at the top and bottom of the pod holder. Sometimes, excess grounds can cling to the needles and it's best to remove them with a sponge or cloth — or else, they may end up floating in your next brew. If you're having trouble brewing or notice coffee grounds clogging the exit tube or stuck to the needles, you'll want to do a more thorough cleaning.
What you'll need:
Instructions:
- Unplug the machine.
- Separate the pod holder from the funnel. Carefully unfold a section of the paper clip and use it to clear away any debris lodged in the pod holder's exit tube. Wash the pod holder, carefully handling the sharp exit needle and the funnel, and rinse well.
- Next, use the paper clip to clean the entrance needle under the brewer head. Insert the paper clip section into the two holes in the needle to clean them.
- Reassemble the pod holder and funnel and reinsert in the machine.
- Brew two cups of clear water to thoroughly rinse the needles.
Expert tip: If you own a Keurig 2.0 or Plus Series brewer, you can use the needle cleaning tool instead of a paperclip.
How to replace your water filter
Water filters help remove chlorine, calcium and other impurities from your beverage, improving the overall taste. It's suggested that you replace the water filter cartridge every two months — although you may be able to get away with three months, according to Forté, who changes her brewer's filter on the same schedule as she descales her Keurig.
What you'll need:
Instructions:
- Soak a new water filter cartridge in water for five minutes, then rinse it under running water for 60 seconds.
- Wash the filter holder in warm soapy water and rinse well.
- Insert the cartridge into the filter holder and snap the holder back together.
- Lock the filter holder back into the reservoir.
Expert tip: Replacing the water filter cartridge immediately after de-scaling with vinegar will help ensure that no vinegar taste remains for your next brew.
Lauren is a senior editor at Hearst. She was previously the senior editor at WomansDay.com and the home editor at GoodHousekeeping.com and HouseBeautiful.com. Her book club, ramen, and jean jackets are a few of her favorite things.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
