The Overlooked Kitchen Spot You Should Be Cleaning More Often

Key Takeaways

• Regular cleaning prevents bacteria, mold, and mineral buildup in your coffee maker.

• This simple vinegar method takes just 30 minutes and requires minimal hands-on time.

• Clean coffee makers deliver a clear payoff: fresher, better-tasting coffee every morning.

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Back when I was single, I used to run a vinegar-water cycle through my coffee maker every couple of weeks whenever I deep-cleaned my apartment. After having kids and life got much fuller, I completely lost sight of the habit. (Parenting has done a number on my mental load!)

Since then, cleaning my coffee maker has mostly meant washing the carafe and brew basket when they looked dirty, tossing the grounds, and giving the outside a quick wipe. It’s embarrassing to admit, but it never once occurred to me that the machine needed more attention.

According to NSF International, coffee makers rank among the top five germiest spots in the home. The combination of moisture, warmth, and daily use can create ideal conditions for bacteria, mold, mildew, and mineral buildup over time. I know—that’s not exactly the morning news you were hoping for.

Your Daily Brew Has a Dirty Secret

It’s not surprising that the coffee maker made NSF’s list. Once I paused to think about it, the problem was obvious. Coffee makers are warm and damp, which is a pretty ideal setup for mineral buildup—and over time, that buildup can affect performance, especially if you have hard water. Descaling removes the buildup that can make coffee taste scorched or flat, and it protects the heating element so your machine doesn’t have to work as hard—which can extend its life, too.

Also, according to NSF’s research, the reservoir and carafe are the two most bacteria-prone parts of the machine.

If your coffee is tasting a little flat or off, or if your machine seems to be brewing slowly, a neglected reservoir could easily be the culprit. Visible residue and a musty smell are even clearer signs.

Fortunately, a simple vinegar cycle once a month takes about 30 minutes and is mostly hands-off. Plus, if the cleanliness angle doesn’t move you, better-tasting coffee might.

​How To Clean Your Coffee Maker With Vinegar

I’m a big fan of “set it and forget it” projects, and with this method, the machine does 90% of the work. I start by emptying the carafe and removing any old grounds or filters. (If you use paper filters, add a fresh one now.)

Then I fill the water reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water, and start a brew cycle. When the machine reaches the halfway point, I pause it and let the solution sit for about 15 minutes—or longer if I’m doing something else. This gives the vinegar time to loosen any gunk inside the machine.

Then, I finish the brew cycle and discard the liquid.

After that, I run two or three cycles with fresh water to thoroughly rinse everything. (I don’t enjoy my coffee with subtle salad dressing notes.) While those run, I’ll also wash the removable pieces—like the carafe, lid, and brew basket—with warm, soapy water. It takes about 30 minutes total, but my actual hands-on time is probably less than five.

I know it’s a lot to ask anyone to take on another (albeit small) maintenance task, but if there’s any motivation for it, there is a clear payoff every morning. And after years of inadvertently skipping it, that’s the kind of coffee upgrade I’ll take.

Read the original article on Simply Recipes