Keeping your Keurig coffee machine clean is super important if you want your coffee to taste fresh and your machine to live long. Follow is the complete, step-by-step tutorial on How do I clean my Keurig Coffee Maker — from daily speed cleans to thorough descaling.
How to Clean Your Keurig Coffee Machine (Step-by-Step Tutorial)
Daily Cleaning Routine (After Every Use)
1. Remove and Wash the Drip Tray
• Take away the drip tray and drip tray cover.
• Clean them with warm, soapy water.
• Rinse thoroughly and let them air dry.
2. Discard the Used K-Cup
• Once brewing is done, open the pod holder and throw away the used K-Cup.
• Wipe down the pod holder with a damp cloth to remove any coffee particles.
3. Clean the Mug Stand
• If coffee spilled onto the mug stand (the region underneath the drip tray), wipe it with a damp cloth.
Weekly Cleaning Schedule
1. Clean the Water Reservoir
• Take out the water reservoir and the lid.
• Wash them both with warm, soapy water.
• Avoid using abrasive sponges — a soft sponge or cloth works better.
• Wash well to remove any soap residue.
• Let the reservoir air dry completely before refilling.
2. Wipe Down the Outside
• Wipe the exterior of the machine with a damp cloth.
• Make sure to give special attention to the areas where the coffee splashes (like around the spout).
Clean the K-Cup Holder and Needles (Very Important!)
The needles and K-Cup holder (which punctures the K-Cup) can be susceptible to catching coffee oils, grounds, and residue, causing clogs and flavor effects.
3. How to Clean the K-Cup Holder
1. Remove the K-Cup holder assembly (see your manual on how to do it on your machine).
2. Wash in warm soapy water.
3. Dry and rinse thoroughly.
4. How to Clean the Needles
The top and bottom needles can become clogged with used coffee grounds. To descale them:
1. Turn off and unplug your machine.
2. Employ a paperclip or Keurig needle cleaning tool.
3. Insert the paperclip into the needle openings to loosen any clogs.
4. Perform a water-only cycle to remove any sediment.
Monthly Maintenance: Descale Your Keurig
Even if your machine is functioning in a normal fashion, you need to descale it about every 3 months to prevent mineral buildup. Hard water may require more frequent maintenance.
4. How to Descale Your Keurig Coffee Maker
Option 1: Use Keurig Descaling Solution (Best Option)
You’ll Need
• 1 bottle of Keurig Descaling Solution
• Fresh water
• Large mug
Steps
1. Empty out the water reservoir.
2. Fill reservoir with descaling solution.
3. Fill the rest of the reservoir with fresh water.
4. Start descaling process:
- Place a large mug under the spout.
- Run a brew cycle (no K-Cup) with largest cup size.
- Pour out the liquid and repeat until reservoir is empty.
5. Clean machine
a. Fill reservoir with fresh water only.
b. Run a few brew cycles until all traces of descaling solution are gone (at least 3-4 full reservoirs).
Option 2: Use White Vinegar (Cheap)
You’ll Need
• White vinegar
• Fresh water
• Large mug
Steps
1. Drain the water reservoir.
2. Fill the reservoir with a 50/50 mixture of water and white vinegar.
3. Run a water-only brew cycle (no K-Cup) until the reservoir is empty.
4. Refill the reservoir with fresh water and run a series of rinse cycles until you no longer sense any more vinegar odor.
More Tips to Keep Your Keurig in Tip-Top Condition
✅ Use filtered water instead of tap water to prevent mineral buildup.
✅ Don’t leave water sitting in the reservoir for days. Empty it if you’re not going to use the machine for a while.
✅ Use official K-Cups or high-quality pods. Cheap, poorly made pods can cause clogs.
✅ If your machine has a water filter, replace the filter cartridge every 2 months.
Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Keurig
• Coffee tastes off (bitter, metallic, or stale)
• Brewing takes longer than usual
• Machine is making loud or unusual noises
• You see coffee grounds in your cup
• The “Descale” light turns on (if your model has one)
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your Keurig isn’t difficult, but it makes a huge difference in coffee taste and machine performance. A clean Keurig means fresher coffee, faster brewing, and fewer problems down the road.