Why You Should Never Clean The Inside Of Your Coffee Maker With Dish Soap

The urge to use a little dish soap on everything when you're deep cleaning your kitchen is understandable — even in unconventional places. So, it stands to reason that many people might think that running a little dish soap through your coffee maker to clean it won't hurt much. You also might be thinking at this point, who is cleaning their coffee maker at all — let alone with dish soap? We get it. So if you're not already aware that you should be cleaning small kitchen appliances, now is as good a time as any to find out. Just like most things in your kitchen, your coffee maker needs to be cared for. Over time, coffee grounds can build up and mineral deposits can clog your machine, affecting not only it's effectiveness but the quality of the coffee it makes.

While dish soap is completely safe for removable parts like the pot and filter basket and will help remove coffee stains or built-up grime, it should never be run through the water tank. The biggest problem when dish soap enters your coffee maker is that it's difficult to fully remove. It can leave a soapy residue inside the appliance, linger around through several brewing cycles, and negatively impact the taste of your coffee. Soap can also leave harsh deposits inside the machine. None of these things are good for your machine or for your daily cup of tasty joe. So, what should you do instead?

Unusual noises, slower than usual brewing time, bitter or off-tasting coffee, visible mineral buildup, or coffee that isn't brewing as hot can all indicate that your coffee maker belongs on the list of kitchen items you're not cleaning enough. While it's a no-brainer that detachable parts must be cleaned regularly, you should actually be doing that on a daily basis. After each brew, scrub all the components with mild soap and warm water, paying close attention to crevices or anywhere mold and bacteria can hide. Run dishwasher-safe components through the dishwasher but be sure to check your manual before you do.

To clean the inside of the coffee maker, the most popular method is to use a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. Fill the water chamber with the mixture and run two cycles. This will help break down mineral deposits and remove pathogens from the reservoir, which happens to be one of the most unsanitary items in your kitchen. Once you've finished the two cycles, run a few more with clean water to rid the coffee maker of any lingering vinegar scent.