Using Vinegar To Clean Your Coffee Machine Will Ensure Every Cup You Make Is Brewed To Perfection

Chances are, if you use your coffee machine everyday, it could use a good cleaning. Believe it or not, there are even some parts of your machine that deserve a good cleaning once a week. A good rule of thumb to follow is that if a piece of your coffee machine can be easily removed (like a drip tray), it should get cleaned once a week. It's as easy as washing a dish, AKA lathering it up in dish soap and water and giving it a thorough dry. This way, there's no build up of dust or any spillage from your hot beverages. Other parts like the water reservoir and lid could also use a good soak on a weekly basis, but don't dry those with a kitchen cloth because that could leave lint inside and in your drink.

For all of the inside parts of your machine, it may be harder to spot when they need a good cleaning, but every two-to-three months is a good hard-and-fast rule. This is when you should be replacing water filters, and checking up to make sure everything is working as it should to spot a clog before it happens. If you notice your machine being less productive, dripping and brewing slower, or tasting like a previous drink, these are all signs that your appliance could use a little bit of extra love and care.

Although it's not necessary to do it as often, be aware that coffee machines can build up minerals from the water on the inside, which is when you really need to give it a good clean using something like household white vinegar or a specialty solution made by your coffee machine brand. To do so, you'll fill the water reservoir with the cleaning solution of your choice—keep in mind if you use vinegar it should be diluted with water—and run your machine as if you're brewing a normal pot of coffee before rinsing it out with warm water to flush any lingering tastes.

Here are all of the products you'll need to keep your coffee machine brewing like new.