Owning a Keurig means you no longer have to think about wrangling filters and ground coffee beans every morning. But many of us are guilty of not thinking about cleaning it often enough either — and that thing can get dirty. Like
all coffee makers and
single-serve coffee machines — as well as other home appliances like
dishwashers,
washing machines and
ovens — Keurigs
can serve as a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and mold if they are not regularly cleaned. Grossed out? Us too. Not only will regular cleanings
extend the life of your appliance and protect your health, they'll also keep your coffee tasting great every day. Show
We asked Carolyn Forte, Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, for advice on how to maintain your go-to morning machine. Start by buying the following cleaning cleaning essentials, then follow the timeline below for how often you should clean every part of your coffee maker. How to clean a Keurig every week:Ideally, you'll want to wash the removable parts of your machine on a weekly basis, inside and out. What you'll need:
Instructions:
Flavor Tip: Use a Keurig rinse pod once a week or after brewing a flavored drink to keep your morning coffee from tasting like last night's hot chocolate! Replace your water filter every two months:Every other month, you'll want to replace the water filter cartridge to keep your coffee tasting fresh. What you'll need:
Instructions
Descale your Keurig every three to six months:Hard water minerals can build up in your machine over time, which could affect how well it works. To prevent this, you'll want to descale your Keurig at least twice a year. What you'll need:
Instructions
Expert Tip: Simplify your Keurig coffee maker cleaning process further by scheduling your water filter cartridge replacement and descaling for the same day. Replacing the water filter cartridge immediately after de-scaling with vinegar will ensure that no vinegar taste remains for your next brew. How to clean Keurig needles as needed:When you see grounds in your K-cup holder, remove them with a sponge to prevent them from ending up in your beverage tomorrow morning. If you're still having trouble brewing, there may also be coffee grounds stuck in the needles, which punch the entrance and exit points where the water flows through the K-cups. Instructions
If you own a Keurig Plus or 2.0 model, you can use the brewer maintenance accessory instead. As long as you follow these steps, you won't have to worry about anything other than coffee being in your morning brew (well, unless you like yours with milk and sugar, that is!). Lauren is a senior editor at Hearst. She was previously the senior editor at WomansDay.com and the home editor at GoodHousekeeping.com and HouseBeautiful.com. Her book club, ramen, and jean jackets are a few of her favorite things. This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. How do you clean a Keurig single serve filter?The water filter on a Keurig should be changed every three to six months, depending on usage. Remove the water filter holder from the water tank and remove the spent water filter. Place the new water filter in a cup of clean water and allow it to soak for five minutes. Rinse the filter holder and inspect it.
How do you clean a single serve coffee maker?Simply brew up a few cups of vinegar water (sans the coffee pod) and then rinse repeatedly with water. That means, rinse, rinse, and rinse again to get rid of any lingering vinegar taste. Most machine manufacturers recommend descaling every three-to-six months.
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