Empty and rinse the carafe and filter basket
Start with the parts you touch most often. Remove the carafe from the warming plate and pour out any leftover coffee. Rinse it under warm running water, then scrub the inside with a soft brush or sponge to remove coffee residue and oils that build up over time. Pay attention to the bottom corners where sediment collects.
Next, open the filter basket at the top of the machine and remove any used filter and grounds. Rinse the basket thoroughly under warm water. If you see brown staining inside the basket, use a soft brush to scrub it away. These two parts are dishwasher-safe on most Mr. Coffee models, but hand washing works just as well and takes less time.
Key Takeaways
- The carafe and filter basket should be rinsed after every use to prevent oil buildup and staining.
- A vinegar and water solution (one part vinegar to two parts water) descales the heating element and internal tubes where mineral deposits form.
- Run the vinegar solution through a full brew cycle, let it sit for 15 minutes, then run plain water through two full cycles to rinse completely.
- Deep cleaning with vinegar should happen once a month if you have hard water, or every two to three months with soft water.
Descale the machine with vinegar and water
Mineral deposits from tap water build up inside the heating element and brew tubes, slowing down brewing and affecting taste. To remove them, fill the water reservoir with a mixture of one part white vinegar to two parts water. Do not use cleaning vinegar or any other type — standard white vinegar at 5% acidity is what works.
Place the empty carafe on the warming plate and run the vinegar solution through a complete brew cycle. You will see brown or cloudy liquid drip into the carafe. This is the mineral buildup leaving the machine. Once the cycle finishes, turn off the machine and let it sit for 15 minutes so the vinegar can work on stubborn deposits inside the heating element.
Rinse the machine thoroughly with water
After the vinegar sits, turn the machine back on and run two full cycles using only fresh water from the reservoir. The first water cycle will still smell and taste like vinegar — this is normal. The second cycle removes the remaining vinegar smell. If you still detect vinegar after the second rinse, run a third cycle.
Do not skip the rinsing step. Vinegar left inside the machine will affect the taste of your next pot of coffee and can corrode internal parts over time. The goal is to smell nothing but water when the machine finishes.
Clean the spray head and water distribution tube
The spray head — the part that sprays water over the grounds — can clog with mineral deposits or coffee oils. Locate it inside the machine just below the filter basket. If you see brown buildup, use a thin brush or a straightened paper clip to gently poke through any visible holes. Do this carefully so you do not damage the plastic.
For a deeper clean, soak the spray head in the vinegar and water solution for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse it under running water. On some Mr. Coffee models, the spray head is removable; check your manual to see if yours is. If it is, remove it, soak it, and rinse it before putting it back.
Wipe down the exterior and warming plate
The outside of the machine collects dust and dried coffee splashes. Unplug the machine, wait for it to cool, then wipe the exterior with a damp cloth. Use a soft, dry cloth to dry it afterward so water does not pool around the power cord or buttons.
The warming plate at the bottom can be wiped clean with a damp cloth as well. If the carafe left a ring of dried coffee on the plate, dampen the cloth with a little vinegar solution and scrub gently. Dry it completely before plugging the machine back in.
How often to clean your Mr. Coffee maker
Rinse the carafe and filter basket after every use — this takes 30 seconds and prevents staining and odor. Run the vinegar descaling cycle once a month if you have hard water (water that leaves white deposits on faucets), or every two to three months if you have soft water. You can tell your water is hard if the machine brews more slowly than it used to, or if you see white or tan buildup inside the carafe.
If you brew coffee daily, the machine works harder and mineral deposits form faster. If you brew a few times a week, you can extend the descaling interval to every three months. Hard water shortens the life of any coffee maker, so if you live in a hard water area, descaling every month will keep your Mr. Coffee running well for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a commercial coffee maker cleaner instead of vinegar?
Yes. Products made for coffee makers work the same way vinegar does — they dissolve mineral deposits. Follow the product instructions for dilution and brew time. Vinegar is cheaper and works just as well, so many people prefer it. Never mix vinegar with commercial cleaners.
My Mr. Coffee brews very slowly now. What should I do?
Slow brewing usually means mineral buildup inside the heating element or tubes. Run the vinegar descaling cycle twice — once through a full brew cycle, let it sit 15 minutes, then run a second full cycle of vinegar solution. Rinse with three cycles of fresh water. If it still brews slowly after that, the heating element may be failing and the machine may need replacement.
Is it safe to drink coffee that brewed after I descaled with vinegar?
No. Always discard the coffee that brews during and when ready after the vinegar cycle. Run at least two full cycles of fresh water through the machine before brewing coffee you plan to drink. The vinegar taste will be gone after the second water cycle in most cases.
What if my Mr. Coffee has a permanent smell of vinegar?
Run additional cycles of fresh water until the smell is gone — sometimes this takes four or five cycles. If the smell persists after six water cycles, the vinegar may have reached parts of the machine that are hard to rinse. Let the machine sit unplugged overnight with the reservoir filled with fresh water, then run cycles the next day.