Easily Kill And Clean Mold In Your Coffee Filter With This Kitchen Essential

Each morning, we pour our hearts into brewing that perfect morning cup. We grind the beans and heat the water just right. As we slowly pour a cup of coffee, that fresh aroma in the kitchen smells like the promise of a better day, but the warmth of routine sometimes blinds us to what's slowly building up behind the scenes.

The very thing that helps you make that cup — your coffee filter — might be harboring something that's absolutely not part of your morning routine. No, not leftover grounds. We're talking about mold. It might be thriving under your nose in your damp coffee maker. Now, before you consider tossing the whole setup out, let's talk about something that can save both your filter and your peace of mind. The vinegar that you typically reserve for salads can help you get rid of mold.

The reason mold adores your coffee filter is pretty simple. It's damp, dark, and has all the qualities that mold prefers when choosing where to land. So when you brew coffee using a moldy filter, you might be consuming what mold leaves behind. While not all mold is toxic, even the mild kind can trigger allergies. The notorious ones, on the other hand, produce mycotoxins that are linked to kidney damage and metabolic disorders. But a simple routine using a versatile cleaning tool like vinegar changes the story by keeping your coffee rich and free from unwanted "extras."

To use vinegar to clean your coffee machine, you first need to get those old coffee grounds out of the filter. Don't toss them, though. Coffee grounds make fantastic fertilizer for plants because they're rich in nitrogen and tend to improve soil texture. Your garden will love them way more than your trash can ever could. Once the filter's cleared, it's time to give it the treatment it deserves. Gather your tools: white vinegar, warm water, a soft toothbrush, and a container that can comfortably fit the filter.

Next, create a mixture by adding equal parts of warm water and vinegar. Dip your filter into the container and give it a nice 30-minute soak. During this time, the vinegar's acidity will tackle mold spores and kill them. You can also expect it to loosen grime that's been clinging for dear life.

If your filter's seen worse days (we mean, extra moldy ones), let it sit a bit longer. Once soaked, use the toothbrush to gently scrub the remaining spots. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, and you're basically done. To achieve the best results, we recommend repeating this ritual weekly.