Clean your Keurig with vinegar and water every three to six months

A Keurig needs two kinds of cleaning: a daily rinse of the removable parts, and a deep clean of the internal water lines using vinegar. The daily rinse takes two minutes and keeps mold from growing in the water reservoir and exit needle. The deep clean takes about an hour total (mostly waiting) and removes mineral buildup that slows water flow and makes coffee taste flat. You do the deep clean every three to six months, depending on your water hardness—if you have hard water, do it every three months.

The good news is that Keurig machines are designed for this. You do not need special tools or expensive descaling solutions. White vinegar and water work just as well as branded descaling products and cost less.

Key Takeaways

  • Remove and rinse the water reservoir, drip tray, and K-cup holder every day after you brew to stop mold and mineral deposits from building up.
  • Run a vinegar-and-water mixture through the machine once every three to six months to clean the internal water lines and heating chamber.
  • The deep clean cycle takes about 30 minutes of running vinegar through the machine, then another 30 minutes of running fresh water to rinse it out.
  • If your Keurig stops brewing or brews very slowly, mineral buildup is the most common cause, and a vinegar clean usually fixes it.
  • Hard water (water with high calcium and magnesium) requires more frequent cleaning than soft water.

Daily cleaning: what to do after every cup

After you brew a cup, lift out the K-cup holder (the part that holds the pod) and empty the used pod into the trash. Rinse the holder under running water and shake it dry. This takes 30 seconds and stops coffee grounds from drying inside the holder.

Pull out the water reservoir (the tank on the side or back of the machine) and empty any leftover water. Rinse the inside under running water, paying attention to the corners where algae can start to grow. If you see any green or black spots, scrub them with a soft brush or the rough side of a sponge. Dry the reservoir before putting it back.

Wipe out the drip tray (the tray that catches spills under the brew head) and empty it if water has collected. These three steps—holder, reservoir, drip tray—take about two minutes total and prevent the problems that lead to mold and slow brewing.

Monthly cleaning: flushing the exit needle

The exit needle is the small metal tube that punctures the K-cup and lets water flow through. Over time, coffee grounds and mineral deposits stick to it and block water flow. Once a month, clean it without taking the machine apart.

Fill the water reservoir with fresh water and place a mug on the drip tray. Run a brew cycle without a K-cup in the holder—just let the water flow through. This flushes loose debris out of the needle. Repeat this three times. If water comes out very slowly or in a thin stream, the needle is clogged and you need the deep clean described below.

Deep clean: the vinegar cycle

Do this every three to six months, or sooner if your machine brews slowly. You will need white vinegar (the kind you cook with, about 5 percent acidity) and water. Do not use apple cider vinegar or cleaning vinegar—they are too strong or too weak.

Empty the water reservoir completely. Pour equal parts white vinegar and water into the reservoir—for example, 24 ounces of vinegar and 24 ounces of water. Stir to mix. Place a large mug (at least 12 ounces) on the drip tray. Run a brew cycle without a K-cup, letting the vinegar-water mixture flow into the mug. When the reservoir empties, pour the liquid from the mug back into the reservoir and repeat. Keep doing this for about 30 minutes, running the vinegar mixture through the machine over and over. The vinegar dissolves mineral deposits inside the heating chamber and water lines.

After 30 minutes, empty the reservoir and refill it with fresh water only. Run brew cycles without a K-cup for another 30 minutes, pouring the water back into the reservoir each time. This rinses out all the vinegar. You will smell vinegar for the first few cycles—that is normal. Keep rinsing until the smell is gone and the water runs clear.

Cleaning the water filter (if your Keurig has one)

Some Keurig models come with a charcoal water filter inside the reservoir. Check your manual to see if yours has one. If it does, replace the filter every two months, or every month if you have hard water. A clogged filter slows brewing and makes coffee taste stale.

To replace it, pull the filter basket out of the reservoir (it usually sits at the bottom or hangs from the lid). Soak the new filter in water for 15 minutes before putting it in. This activates the charcoal. Drop it into the basket and snap the basket back into place. If you cannot find a replacement filter at a store, Keurig sells them online and they cost between $5 and $10 for a pack of two.

What to do if your Keurig still brews slowly after cleaning

If the machine still brews slowly or the water comes out in a thin stream after you have done the vinegar clean, the exit needle may be clogged with hardened mineral deposits. You can clean it by hand without taking the machine apart.

Turn off the machine and let it cool for 15 minutes. Lift the K-cup holder out. Look at the exit needle—it is the small metal tube at the top of the holder area. Use a straightened paper clip or a thin needle to gently poke into the hole at the tip of the needle, moving it in and out slowly. Do not push hard—you are just breaking up the clog, not drilling. Rinse the holder under water. Put the holder back and run a brew cycle without a K-cup to flush out the debris.

If that does not work, soak the exit needle in white vinegar for 30 minutes, then repeat the poking step. If the machine still does not brew normally after two vinegar cleans and a manual needle cleaning, the heating element may be failing and you may need to contact Keurig support or replace the machine.

Common mistakes that damage your Keurig

Using the wrong vinegar. Cleaning vinegar (10 percent acidity) is too strong and can damage the rubber seals inside. Apple cider vinegar is too weak and will not dissolve mineral deposits. Stick to white vinegar from the grocery store.

Skipping the rinse cycle. If you do not run fresh water through the machine for 30 minutes after the vinegar, the next coffee will taste like vinegar and the acid can corrode internal parts over time. Always rinse thoroughly.

Using hot vinegar. Do not heat the vinegar before pouring it in. Cold vinegar works just as well and is safer for the machine's plastic parts.

Putting the machine in the dishwasher. The water reservoir and drip tray are dishwasher-safe on most models, but check your manual first. Never put the main machine body in the dishwasher—water will damage the electrical parts.

Ignoring slow brewing. If your machine starts to brew slowly, clean it right away. Waiting makes the clog worse and can eventually stop the machine from brewing at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use descaling solution instead of vinegar?

Yes. Branded descaling solutions like Keurig's own brand work the same way as vinegar—they dissolve mineral deposits. They cost more (usually $5 to $8 per bottle) but have less smell. Follow the same steps: run the solution through the machine for 30 minutes, then rinse with fresh water for 30 minutes. Do not mix vinegar and descaling solution.

How do I know if my water is hard?

Hard water leaves white or chalky buildup on faucets and shower heads. If you see that in your home, you have hard water and should clean your Keurig every three months instead of six. You can also buy a water hardness test strip at a hardware store for a few dollars to check exactly how hard your water is.

What if I leave my Keurig sitting for a month without using it?

Empty the water reservoir completely before storing it. Stagnant water in the reservoir can grow mold. When you use the machine again, fill the reservoir with fresh water and run two brew cycles without a K-cup to flush out any buildup. If you see mold inside the reservoir, soak it in a vinegar-and-water solution (equal parts) for 30 minutes, scrub it with a soft brush, and rinse thoroughly.

Why does my coffee taste like vinegar after I clean the machine?

You did not rinse long enough. Run fresh water through the machine for at least 30 more minutes, pouring the water back into the reservoir each time. The vinegar smell should fade after 5 to 10 cycles. If it persists after 30 minutes of rinsing, run the vinegar clean one more time and rinse again.

Can I clean my Keurig with lemon juice instead of vinegar?

Lemon juice is too weak to dissolve mineral deposits effectively. Stick with white vinegar or a branded descaling solution. Both are cheap and work reliably.