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

A Keurig single cup coffee maker 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 pod holder. The deep clean, called descaling, takes about an hour total and removes mineral buildup that slows water flow and makes coffee taste flat. Most Keurig owners skip the deep clean until the machine stops brewing properly—but doing it every three to six months prevents that problem.

You do not need special cleaning products. White vinegar and water work as well as Keurig's branded descaling solution and cost far less. The machine will smell like vinegar for a few brew cycles afterward, but that smell disappears after you run plain water through the system.

Key Takeaways

  • Rinse the water reservoir, pod holder, and drip tray with hot water every day to prevent mold and mineral deposits from building up.
  • Descale the internal water lines every three to six months by running a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water through the machine, then flushing it with plain water.
  • The descaling process takes about one hour and requires you to run the machine through multiple brew cycles without a pod inserted.
  • If your Keurig brews slowly, produces weak coffee, or shows an error message, descaling will usually fix the problem within a few cycles.

Daily cleaning: the five-minute routine

Every time you brew a cup, remove the water reservoir from the back or side of the machine (depending on your model) and empty any water left inside. Rinse the reservoir under hot running water and wipe the inside with a soft cloth or sponge. Do not use a dishwasher—the plastic can warp. Shake out excess water and set it aside to air dry while you clean the other parts.

Next, open the pod holder at the top of the machine. Most Keurig models have a removable pod holder that lifts straight out. Rinse it under hot water and scrub away any coffee grounds or residue with a soft brush or cloth. Wipe the inside of the pod chamber where the holder sits—this is where mold most often grows, because it stays damp. Finally, pull out the drip tray at the bottom of the machine and empty it, then rinse it and put it back. If your model has a removable drip tray, wash it in the sink with hot soapy water.

Put the water reservoir back in place once it is dry. This whole process takes about five minutes and prevents the mineral and mold buildup that makes descaling necessary.

Descaling with vinegar: the step-by-step process

Descaling means running a cleaning solution through the machine's internal water lines to dissolve mineral deposits. You will need white vinegar, water, and a large mug or container that holds at least 10 ounces. Do not use apple cider vinegar or cleaning vinegar—white vinegar is the right strength.

Start by emptying the water reservoir completely. Fill it halfway with white vinegar and halfway with water, so you have a 1:1 mixture. Put the reservoir back in the machine. Place your large mug or container on the drip tray under the brew spout—this is where the vinegar solution will come out, and you will need to catch it.

Turn on the machine and run a brew cycle without inserting a pod. The machine will dispense hot vinegar solution into your mug. Let it run until the reservoir is empty. This first cycle cleans the upper water lines. Empty the mug and set it back on the drip tray.

Now fill the reservoir with plain water only. Run another full brew cycle to rinse the vinegar out. Repeat this water-only cycle at least five more times—six cycles total. Each cycle removes more vinegar smell and taste. After the sixth cycle, your Keurig is descaled. The whole process takes about 45 minutes to an hour because you are waiting for the machine to heat water between cycles.

What to do if your Keurig shows a "descale" message

Some newer Keurig models have a sensor that detects mineral buildup and displays a "Descale" or "Descale Now" message on the screen. This message means the machine has detected that water is not flowing at normal speed. You can still use the machine, but descaling will restore full water pressure and brewing speed.

Follow the same vinegar-and-water process described above. After you finish the six water-only rinse cycles, the message should disappear on its own. If it does not, run three more water-only cycles. If the message persists after that, the sensor may need a factory reset—check your machine's manual for the reset button, which is usually on the bottom or back of the unit.

Cleaning the needle that punctures the pod

Inside the pod chamber is a small needle that punctures the bottom of each K-Cup to let water flow through. Over time, dried coffee and mineral deposits can clog this needle, which slows brewing or causes weak coffee. You can clean it without taking the machine apart.

Turn off the machine and let it cool for 10 minutes. Open the pod chamber and look down into the hole where the pod sits—you will see a small needle pointing down. Use a straightened paperclip or a thin pipe cleaner to gently poke the needle from above, working around the edges to dislodge any buildup. Do not push hard or bend the needle. Rinse the pod chamber with hot water to wash away the debris.

If the needle is visibly corroded or bent, it may need to be replaced. Check your machine's model number on the bottom and search for "[model number] replacement needle" online. Replacement needles cost between five and fifteen dollars and take about five minutes to install.

Cleaning the exit needle on the bottom of the pod holder

Most Keurig models also have a needle on the bottom of the removable pod holder that punctures the top of the K-Cup. This needle can also get clogged. Remove the pod holder from the machine and look at the underside—you will see a small needle pointing down. Use the same straightened paperclip or pipe cleaner to gently clean around the needle, then rinse the holder under hot water.

If you see brown or black buildup that will not come off with a paperclip, soak the pod holder in hot water with a little vinegar for 15 minutes, then scrub it with an old toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and let it air dry before putting it back in the machine.

Preventing mold in the water reservoir

Mold grows in the water reservoir when it sits damp for days without being emptied and dried. The easiest way to prevent mold is to empty the reservoir every time you finish brewing, rinse it, and let it air dry completely before refilling it. If you use your Keurig every day, this happens naturally. If you use it only a few times a week, empty and dry the reservoir on days you do not brew.

If you see black or green spots inside the reservoir, fill it with equal parts white vinegar and water, let it soak for 30 minutes, scrub with a soft brush, and rinse thoroughly under hot running water. Repeat if needed. Once the spots are gone, run two full brew cycles with the vinegar-water mixture through the machine to clean the internal lines as well, then flush with six cycles of plain water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put the water reservoir in the dishwasher?

No. The plastic reservoir can warp or crack in the heat of a dishwasher, and the damage may not show up until the machine starts leaking. Hand wash it with hot soapy water and a soft cloth, then air dry it completely before refilling.

What if I do not have white vinegar—can I use lemon juice instead?

Lemon juice is less acidic than vinegar and does not dissolve mineral deposits as well. White vinegar is inexpensive and works reliably. If you have only lemon juice on hand, use it, but you may need to repeat the descaling process more times to fully clear the mineral buildup.

How do I know if my Keurig needs descaling?

Descaling is needed when the machine brews slowly, produces weak or thin coffee, or displays a descale message. If you descale every three to six months, you will avoid these problems. If you have hard water (mineral-heavy water from your tap), descale every three months instead of six.

Is it safe to drink the water that comes out during descaling?

No. The vinegar solution and the rinse water that comes out during descaling contain loosened mineral deposits and vinegar residue. Always discard this water and use a separate container to catch it, not a cup you plan to drink from.

What should I do if the machine still brews slowly after descaling?

Run the descaling cycle one more time, then do eight water-only rinse cycles instead of six. If the machine is still slow, the needle may be bent or the internal water pump may be failing. Check the needle first using the method described above. If the needle looks fine, the machine may need professional repair or replacement.