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Knowing how to clean a coffee maker with baking soda will help stave off yeast, remove stains, and more. This is an ingredient in your cleaning process, however. Baking soda doesn’t have antibacterial properties. You should always use another natural ingredient alongside it, like baking soda with vinegar.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Having the best coffee maker means little if you don’t stay current with upkeep. Always clean your appliance after every brew cycle, even if it’s just a simple wipe-down. If you’re genuinely against using a commercial cleaning product, this article is for you.
The brewing process can stain even the most resistant stainless steel coffee pot. Hot water isn’t enough to wash away what’s left behind, and having a clean coffee maker requires effort. Luckily, the products you’ll use are all common household cleaners you may already have. While making sure your machine stays clean can help it run smoothly, sometimes it can develop problems. For example, what do you do when your espresso machine pump is not working? Thankfully we have an article to help with that.
You’ll also want to pair your baking soda with a common household acid, like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Creating a vinegar solution will keep things far cleaner.
Insider Tip
While most of these ingredients have a strong smell, you can neutralize them if you understand how acids interact with each other.
Coffee lovers are always on the hunt for fresh coffee to try. If you haven’t, look into how to brew Crio Bru in a coffee maker.
Tools Needed: One cup baking soda, warm water, abrasive sponge, soft sponge, white vinegar, lemon juice, one cup of salt
STEP 1
Pour some warm, fresh water into a small container. Make sure that it’s fresh water and preferably filtered. This way, you can measure things carefully and dilute the baking soda mixture accordingly. This will be where you make your baking soda solution.
STEP 2
Add your cup of table salt, vinegar, and lemon juice into the clean water to create your baking soda mixture. Stir thoroughly to incorporate all of the crucial kitchen ingredients into the mix.
STEP 3
Remove the filter basket from your coffee machine. Dump any leftover coffee grounds from your last cup of coffee, and let the basket soak in soapy water while you clean the rest of the machine.
STEP 4
Now, fill your water reservoir with the clean water mixture. Hit the brew button and let the coffee brewer run through a couple of brew cycles. The more brewing cycles, the more likely it is that you’ll clean out pesky water deposits and other undesirable build-ups.
STEP 5
It’s time to enjoy your clean coffee pot. Fill the coffee carafe with clean water and hit the brew button to enjoy the results of your labor. If you’re unsatisfied with the results, consider using liquid dish soap. Learning how to clean a coffee maker with dish soap is never a bad idea. If your machine has one, now is a good opportunity to make sure the charcoal filter is good as well, to ensure you always get the best flavor. You can read our article on how often to change the charcoal filter in a coffee maker if you are unsure if you need to replace it.
Warning
Cleaning a coffee maker without vinegar may result in coffee residue being left behind.
F.A.Q.S
Should I use lemon juice in my coffee pot cleaning solution?
The acidity of lemons makes them perfect for cutting through mineral deposits. Another advantage of lemon juice is the pleasant lemon smell left behind. There are tons of advantages of lemon juice beyond this.
Do I need a dedicated descaler for my coffee maker?
Having a descaling solution is crucial to clearing mineral deposits. You can buy your coffee machine descaler from the store, or you can make your own. Descaling cycles should happen at least once a month.
How do I remove coffee stains from my stainless steel coffee pot?
Removing nasty stains from your stainless steel coffee pot takes a little elbow grease. You’ll need an abrasive sponge and an affordable and non-toxic cleaning product to take care of coffee stains.
Do I need to use vinegar to clean my coffee pot?
You can clean a coffee maker with vinegar. However, even a cup of vinegar in your descaling solution can leave behind a distinct vinegar smell. If you hate the smell of vinegar, this ingredient is probably not for you.
STAT: Baking soda has been used to formulate toothpaste, cosmetic products, and is known for its acid-neutralizing properties, but limited peer-reviewed evidence exists for its antimicrobial activity on hard surfaces. (source)
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