How To Effectively Clean A Coffee Pot With A Natural Solution You Own

Have you ever woken up early in the morning, went to the kitchen to make yourself a cup of coffee, and noticed your coffee tastes a little off? After continued long-term use, your coffee maker can develop stains and residue that don't come clean with regular washing. This build-up can come from hard water, mildew, and oils from your coffee grounds. You might be aware of many unexpected uses for coffee grounds around your home, but cleaning their residue out of your coffee maker feels like a struggle. It's not like you can put your brew mechanism in the dishwasher either. Don't panic, you have a secret weapon in your pantry ... vinegar.

Many are aware of how vinegar can be a versatile cleaning tool, but few may know the two biggest reasons why it is so effective at cleaning coffee makers. The first is that, due to its acidic nature, it can break down hard water minerals that may alter your coffee's flavor, making it an ideal natural cleaner for your coffee maker. The second reason is that it has an antimicrobial ability that works as a great sanitizer. These reasons make it ideal for using in your coffee maker as a way to keep it working longer and making better tasting coffee.

Before you get your trusty white vinegar (of all the types of vinegar, this one is ideal for cleaning) from your pantry, you will want to check the manufacturer of your coffee maker to be sure it is safe to use in your brewer. This is an important first step. The only thing worse than a dirty coffee maker is a broken one. Once you have determined white vinegar is safe to use in your model of coffee maker, you are ready to go.

Start by filling your coffee maker's carafe with ½ water and ½ white vinegar, then pour it directly into the brew tank (just like you would when making coffee). Start the brew process, and then stop it after it has brewed halfway. You will then want to allow it to sit for 30 minutes so it has time to dissolve any minerals or residue. Once you have let it sit, turn the coffee maker back on and allow it to finish the brew cycle. If you feel it's not as clean as you like, repeat the process. After cleaning, pour out the vinegar mixture, refill your carafe with water, and run that through the brew process (repeat if necessary).

Once you have completed the cleaning process, you should end up with a stain-free coffee maker and wonderful tasting coffee. Even better, you can feel confident knowing you didn't use any harsh chemicals.