Hassle Free Way to Clean a Keurig Coffee Maker with Vinegar

Inside: Is your Keurig coffee maker acting funny? Did you get the descale message? Does your morning cup of Joe taste funky? Learn the best way to clean your single-serve coffee maker using vinegar, following these easy step-by-step instructions! 

Even though I am not a big coffee drinker, I love having a Keurig coffee machine. We don't use it every day, but it is great to pull out when family or guests come over. I can make coffee, tea, or any other warm drink they would like. 

The problem is when I pull it out and it has those rings around the water reservoir. It reminds me of my fishbowl when I didn't clean it often enough. Gross! Who wants that going in their cup of coffee?!

But good news! You can clean the machine using just vinegar or see our instructions for using Keurig's descaling solution. In my opinion, the vinegar mixture gives better results in a shorter amount of time. Plus, you probably already have it at home, so no need to purchase anything else. 

Don't miss these 10 great uses for vinegar and these 26 genius vinegar cleaning hacks!

Cleaning Your Keurig with White Vinegar

Start by filling up the water container on the Keurig with white distilled vinegar. I like to fill it to at least halfway, but make sure the vinegar covers your water rings. Then let it sit for about 20 to 30 minutes.

While the vinegar is sitting, get a soft cloth and pour some vinegar on the cloth. I just use a microfiber cloth to prevent lint from getting in the Keurig machine. 

Wipe down the removable parts like the drip tray, reservoir lid, and the outside of the machine or wash them in warm soapy water.

Then move on to the k-cup holder, just be careful where the needle is on the top, there's also an exit needle on the bottom. Usually there a bunch of coffee grounds that builds up in there. You may need to use a small cleaning brush to reach all of the nooks and crannies.

Once the vinegar has soaked in the water tank, place a large mug below and use the largest cup setting. The vinegar will run through just like it does with coffee pods and clean it out. The vinegar will probably look pretty gross.

Dump the coffee cup and run one more large brew cycle. The second time through, the vinegar solution looks much cleaner.

Then pour out the remaining vinegar that may be in the water tank and rinse it with clean water. Use a damp cloth to scrub out the inside. All of the water rings should be gone.

Fill up the water container with hot water and run another two large cup cycles through. This should be enough to clear all of the vinegar taste from the Keurig.

How To Use A Keurig Cleaning Kit

Cleaning your Keurig with a cleaning kit is pretty easy. You can get a Keurig-approved kit at the store or grab this one on Amazon.

To get started, you want to turn the Keurig off. Remove any water filters you have in your Keurig.

Pour the descaling solution into the water tank. Refill the solution bottle with warm water and dump that in too. 

Turn the Keurig back on and run a rinsing brew, making sure you have a coffee mug below to catch the water. Continue to run a brew until the water light turns on. 

Once your add water light is on, then set a timer for 30 minutes and let the Keurig soak. This will allow the descaling solution to sit in the machine and remove the hard water minerals and any limescale. 

After 30 minutes then dump out any remaining solution and thoroughly wash out the water container using a little dish soap. 

Once you have washed the water container, you will want to refill it with fresh water and continue to run a rinsing brew to remove the descaling solution from the Keurig. 

Keurig recommends running 12 brews of water through after using the solution so you may have to refill your water reservoir. 

Once you have ran all the fresh water through you can replace your  water filter and wipe down the outside. If needed use a new water filter cartridge.

If you clean your Keurig and you can't get the descale light to go off there is an easy trick. Just hold down the 8 oz. and 10 oz. buttons at the same time for 5 seconds and it will reset the descale light on the Keurig.

Helpful Tips 

• Depending on the type of coffee maker you have, it may have a filter. If so, remove that before starting the descaling process. 
• Some Keurig brewers actually have a descaling button. If that's the case, you can follow the instructions above with the vinegar, but press the descaling button and use the prompts on the screen. 
• It's a good idea to clean your machine on a weekly basis, especially for coffee lovers. If don't use it too much, you could probably get by with monthly regular upkeep.

Why do you have to descale a Keurig?

• 1. Remove Mineral Buildup: Over time, calcium deposits and lime from the water can accumulate inside your Keurig. This buildup can clog the internal components, affecting the machine's performance and efficiency.
• 2. Maintain Optimal Performance: Descaling helps keep your coffee maker functioning at its best. Cleaning it on a regular basis ensures that the water flows properly through the machine, resulting in consistent brewing times and temperatures.
• 3. Improve Coffee Taste: Mineral deposits can impact the taste of your coffee, making it taste off or metallic. Descaling removes these deposits and leaves you with delicious coffee.
• 4. Extend the Lifespan of Your Machine: Regular maintenance prevents buildup that can cause wear and tear on the internal components of your Keurig. This maintenance helps extend the life of your coffee maker, saving you money in the long run.
• 5. Prevent Malfunctions: Ignoring descaling can lead to more severe problems, such as clogs, decreased water flow, or leaks, which might require costly repairs or even replacement of the machine. 
• 6. Maintain Warranty Coverage: Many Keurig models come with a warranty that may require regular maintenance, including descaling, to remain valid. Following the recommended descaling schedule can help ensure you stay within the warranty terms.

What's the Best Water to Use in a Keurig?

• Filtered Water: Using filtered water is highly recommended. It reduces the presence of minerals and impurities that can accumulate inside the machine, ensuring a longer lifespan and a better-tasting coffee. You can use a home water filter or filtered water from a pitcher.
• Bottled Water: Bottled spring water is another good option. It typically has a balanced mineral content that enhances the flavor of your coffee without contributing to significant scale buildup.
• Tap Water (Filtered): If you prefer using plain water, it's best to filter it first. This helps remove chlorine, sediment, and excess minerals. Many Keurig models also come with a built-in water filter attachment for this purpose.
• Distilled Water: While distilled water might seem like a good choice because it lacks minerals, it’s not recommended for Keurig machines. Keurig advises against using distilled water as it can affect the sensors in the machine, potentially causing it to malfunction.
• Avoid Hard Water: Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, which can lead to quicker scale buildup inside your Keurig. If your tap water is hard, using a water softener or a filtered water option is advisable.

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