While many people enjoy coffee from a coffee maker, cleaning these machines is often left far too long. Your coffee maker may not be as clean as you think it is and eventually you will notice that your coffee does not taste as pleasant as it used to.

An oily, sludgy build-up can be a sign that your machine needs cleaning. You will also see stains on the glass and notice a bitter taste. However, the build-up of germs should be an even bigger worry as coffee makers are up at number five in the list of the germiest places in our homes.

So, how do we clean a coffee maker?       

• Fill the reservoir with a solution of 50% water and 50% white distilled vinegar. In cases where there is a very bad build-up of stain you can increase the vinegar. The vinegar will not only clean the machine, but it will also dissolve any mineral deposits.
• Brew and soak. Place a filter in the machine and run as normal. About halfway through the process turn the machine off and let the vinegar solution soak in the carafe for about 60 minutes.  The time will depend on how badly the coffee pot is stained.
• Turn back on and finish the cycle. Remove and dispose of the filter and pour out the vinegar solution. Refill the reservoir with fresh water, replace the filter with a new one, turn on and run a complete cycle. 
• Once completed, remove the filter, pour out all the water and wipe the carafe with a clean cloth.

 Final thoughts

This method of cleaning can be used with any type of coffee maker. You will need to let the vinegar solution stand and do its job so try to clean it in a time when you do not want coffee.

For coffee makers which are used daily you should aim to clean them about once a month to prevent build-up and bitter tasting coffee.

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