How to Clean a Keurig

Keurig and Nespresso machines make preparing coffee very convenient, but the taste of your coffee might get compromised if you don’t look after your machine. Fortunately, you can clean your Keurig coffee-making machine in only four simple steps. In this post, we’ll share each of these steps along with some handy tips!

If you have a Nespresso machine instead, consider checking out our post on How to use a Nespresso machine.

To clean your Keurig coffee maker, you’ll need a descaling solution, dry cloth, and soapy water. Once you have the supplies, follow these four steps to clean your machine:

1. Unplug and disassemble the machine.
2. Wash the removable parts with soapy water.
3. Wipe the outer surface with a damp cloth. 
4. Reassemble and descale the machine.

Guide to Keurig Cleaning

It’s important to know the components of your Keurig machine before you begin cleaning it–we recommend referring to the user manual that came along with your machine.

Time Required: forty to forty-five minutes.

Things You’ll Need:

• Dishwashing liquid
• Tap water 
• Two separate pieces of dry cloth or sponges
• Vinegar or Keurig descaling solution

Step 1: Prepare the Machine

Unplug the machine from the power source and empty the water in the reservoir. Remove any K-Cups in the K-Cup holder.

Now, disassemble the machine by removing all removable parts. These include the water reservoir and its lid, the K-Cup holder, the drip tray, and the drip tray plate.

Step 2: Wash the Removable Parts

Prepare a sink by filling it with warm tap water and add one to two teaspoons of dishwashing liquid. Gently place all removed components in the sink and let them soak for fifteen minutes or so. After that, rinse them well with fresh water and dry them with a piece of cloth.

Alternatively, you can wash the removable components of your Keurig machine in a dishwasher–just make sure you read through the user manual before doing so. If your Keurig machine is not dishwasher safe, the manufacturer will clearly mention it in the manual.

Step 3: Clean the Machine’s Surface

Next, soak a small dry piece of cloth or sponge in water and use it to scrub off dirt and debris from the surface of your Keurig machine. You might want to use an old toothbrush for narrow dirt-accumulating places, like within the coffee pod holder. Then, dry it all with the second piece of cloth.

If it’s on the dirtier side, scrub off the surface with a vinegar-soaked cloth first, then wipe it with water and dry it using a cloth.

Step 4: Descale the Machine

To begin descaling, reassemble the machine and fill the water reservoir with a descaling solution and water in a 1:1 ratio–you can also use vinegar in place of a descaling solution. Now, run the machine without inserting a K-Cup and repeat until the reservoir is empty. Discard the mug contents after each brewing cycle. Then, repeat the same process with fresh water, which will help get rid of any vinegar residue.

Once done, you can use your Keurig to prepare a fresh cup of coffee!

What Is Descaling?

Descaling refers to the removal of mineral deposits that may build up after repeated heating and cooling of the machine. This particular part of the cleaning process is crucial for both the taste of your coffee and the longevity of your machine. Speaking of longevity–wondering how long K-Cups last? Check out our latest post!

How Often Should You Clean Your Keurig?

You should clean the removable parts of your Keurig machine every week if you use the machine to make one to two cups of coffee every day; however, a deep cleaning session–such as that used in descaling–is recommended for every three months.