Descaling removes mineral buildup that slows water flow and affects taste

Descaling is running a cleaning solution through your Keurig to dissolve calcium and mineral deposits that accumulate inside the machine over time. Hard water leaves these deposits faster, but every Keurig needs descaling every three to six months, depending on your water hardness. Without it, your machine brews slower, the water temperature drops, and your coffee tastes flat.

The process takes about one hour total and costs roughly $5 to $10 for descaling solution. You will need a Keurig-approved descaling solution (Keurig brand or a generic citric acid solution), a large mug or cup, and access to your sink. Most newer Keurig models have a descale light that turns on when it is time, but you can descale anytime if you notice slower brewing or weaker coffee.

Key Takeaways

  • Descale your Keurig every three to six months by running descaling solution through the water reservoir and brewing cycle.
  • You will need Keurig-approved descaling solution, a large mug, and about one hour of time.
  • After running the descaling solution, you must brew and discard at least two full reservoirs of fresh water to rinse the machine completely.
  • If your Keurig has a descale light, it will tell you when the process is complete; if not, you can descale on a schedule or when you notice slower brewing.
  • Never use vinegar in a Keurig, even though it works on other coffee makers, because it can damage the internal seals.

What you need before you start

Gather your supplies before you begin. You will need one bottle of Keurig descaling solution (sold at most grocery stores, drugstores, and online retailers under the Keurig brand or as a generic citric acid descaler). Do not use vinegar, even white vinegar—it is acidic enough to work, but it can damage the rubber seals inside your Keurig and leave a vinegar taste that is hard to rinse out.

Set a large mug or cup under the brew head. The mug needs to hold at least 12 ounces because you will be running full brew cycles. Have a sink nearby so you can empty the mug between cycles. Make sure your Keurig is plugged in and sitting on a stable, level surface. If your machine has a water filter in the reservoir, remove it now—you do not want the descaling solution to pass through the filter.

Step-by-step descaling process

Step 1: Empty the water reservoir. Remove the reservoir from the top of the machine and pour out any water inside. Rinse it quickly under the tap, but do not wash it with soap—you just want to remove loose debris. Set it back on the machine.

Step 2: Fill the reservoir with descaling solution. Pour the entire bottle of descaling solution into the empty reservoir. If your solution came with instructions for dilution (some do, some do not), follow the bottle's label. Most Keurig descaling solutions are ready to use straight from the bottle.

Step 3: Run the descaling cycle. Place your large mug under the brew head. Press the brew button as if you were making a normal cup of coffee. The machine will dispense hot descaling solution into the mug. Let it run until the mug is full, then stop the brew. Empty the mug into the sink and repeat this step until the reservoir is empty. This usually takes four to six brew cycles. The solution will be hot, so be careful when handling the mug.

Step 4: Let the machine sit. Once the reservoir is empty, turn off the machine and let it sit for 30 minutes. This gives the descaling solution time to work on the mineral deposits inside the heating element and water lines.

Step 5: Rinse with fresh water. After 30 minutes, fill the reservoir with fresh, cold tap water. Run the full reservoir through the machine the same way you ran the descaling solution—brew into the mug, empty it, and repeat until the reservoir is empty. This is your first rinse cycle.

Step 6: Run a second rinse cycle. Fill the reservoir with fresh water again and repeat the brewing process until the reservoir is empty. This second rinse is important because any remaining descaling solution will affect the taste of your coffee. If you can still smell the descaling solution after the second rinse, run a third cycle.

How to know when descaling is complete

If your Keurig has a descale light on the control panel, it will turn off once the descaling cycle is finished. This light appears on most models made in the last five years. If your machine does not have a descale light, you are done when you have run the full bottle of descaling solution through the machine and completed at least two full rinse cycles with fresh water.

Before you brew your first cup of coffee after descaling, run one more test brew into the sink or a mug you do not mind wasting. Smell it—if it smells like the descaling solution, run another cycle of fresh water through. Once the test brew smells and tastes normal, your machine is ready to use.

Common mistakes that leave mineral deposits behind

The most common mistake is skipping the rinse cycles. Descaling solution left inside the machine will make your coffee taste bitter or chemical-like, and it can damage the heating element over time. Always run at least two full reservoirs of fresh water through after the descaling solution, even if you think the machine is clean.

Another mistake is not letting the solution sit for the full 30 minutes. The minerals need time to dissolve, especially if your water is very hard. Rushing through the process means the deposits stay behind, and you will have to descale again sooner.

Some people also make the mistake of descaling too infrequently. If you have hard water (you can check this by looking at your tap water—hard water often leaves white spots on dishes), descale every three months instead of waiting six months. If you ignore the descale light when it comes on, mineral buildup will eventually block the water line enough that the machine stops brewing altogether.

When to descale based on your water type

The harder your water, the more often you need to descale. Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, which are the minerals that build up inside your machine. If you live in an area with hard water, you may notice white or chalky deposits on your shower head or faucet aerator. In that case, descale your Keurig every three months.

Soft water has fewer minerals, so machines in soft-water areas can go longer between descaling—up to six months. If you are not sure whether your water is hard or soft, descale every four months as a middle ground. You can also purchase a water hardness test strip at a hardware or home improvement store for a few dollars to check your specific water.

If you use filtered water or bottled water in your Keurig, you will descale less often because filtered water has fewer minerals. However, you still need to descale periodically because some mineral content remains even in filtered water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use vinegar to descale my Keurig?

No. While vinegar works on some coffee makers, it can damage the rubber seals and gaskets inside a Keurig and leave a vinegar taste that is difficult to remove. Use only Keurig-approved descaling solution or a generic citric acid descaler made for Keurig machines.

What if my Keurig still brews slowly after descaling?

Run the descaling process again, making sure to let the solution sit for the full 30 minutes. If it is still slow after a second descaling, the mineral buildup may be severe. Try running a third descaling cycle, or contact Keurig customer service—the machine may need professional cleaning or repair.

How long does descaling take?

The active brewing and rinsing takes about 30 to 40 minutes, but you also need to let the solution sit for 30 minutes, so plan for about one hour total. You do not need to stay in the kitchen the whole time—you can step away during the 30-minute soak.

Do I need to descale a brand new Keurig?

No, but you should run a few cycles of fresh water through a new machine before brewing your first cup of coffee. This rinses out any dust or debris from manufacturing. You do not need descaling solution for this—just fresh water.

What happens if I never descale my Keurig?

Mineral deposits will eventually block the water lines enough that the machine stops brewing or brews only a few ounces at a time. The heating element may also fail because it has to work harder to heat water through the mineral buildup. Descaling every three to six months prevents this and keeps your machine working for years.