How to Clean Coffee Maker (Drip)
What You'll Need
- 4 cups
- 4 cups
- Few drops
- 1
Step-by-Step Method
Remove the coffee filter and any old grounds. Remove the carafe and filter basket. Wash both in warm soapy water. Wipe any visible grounds from the machine.
Fill the water reservoir with a 1:1 mix of white vinegar and water (4 cups each for a standard 12-cup maker).
Start the brew cycle. When the carafe is half full, turn off the machine and let it sit for 30 minutes. The hot vinegar solution soaks the internal tubing and dissolves mineral buildup.
After 30 minutes, turn the machine back on and let the remaining vinegar solution brew through completely.
Empty the carafe. Fill the reservoir with plain water and run a full brew cycle. Repeat 2-3 times until there is no vinegar taste or smell in the brewed water.
Wipe the exterior of the machine, the warming plate, and the area around the filter basket with a damp cloth.
- Do not use apple cider vinegar (it can leave residue and flavor)
- Do not skip the rinse cycles (vinegar residue makes coffee taste terrible)
- Do not use bleach in a coffee maker
- If your coffee maker has a 'clean' indicator light, the vinegar cycle is usually what it wants you to run.
- Use filtered or bottled water for daily brewing. Hard tap water causes mineral buildup faster, meaning more frequent descaling.
- The carafe and filter basket should be washed with soap after every use, not just rinsed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Monthly if you use tap water. Every 2-3 months if you use filtered water. If you notice your coffee brewing slower than usual or tasting bitter, it is overdue for descaling.
Yes. Dissolve 1-2 tablespoons of citric acid powder in the full reservoir of water. It is odorless, slightly more effective at descaling than vinegar, and requires fewer rinse cycles. Available in the canning section of grocery stores.
Sources & Methodology
Descaling uses acetic acid (vinegar) or citric acid to dissolve calcium carbonate mineral deposits that accumulate in water-heating appliances. Monthly descaling extends appliance lifespan and maintains brewing temperature consistency.
Last reviewed: March 20, 2026