A few simple tips to keep your coffeemaker in spotless condition so you can enjoy all that your favorite coffee has to offer.

It’s funny how dirt sneaks up on you. One minute you’re admiring your freshly vacuumed floor, and in the next all too quick minute, it’s time to do it again. I had a moment like that this morning in my kitchen.

As I poured myself a fresh cup of coffee, I noticed that a distinct layer of coffee-colored grime has collected inside the carafe and on the pot’s burner. I can only imagine what the coffeemaker must look like inside…eww. And while I could be sentimental and say that it’s just proof of my undying love for coffee, like a well-worn book or your comfiest pair of jeans, I draw the line at eww. Besides, one of the secrets to a great cup of coffee is a clean coffee maker. With that in mind, I thought I’d share a few simple ways to clean your coffeemaker, just in case you’ve hit that eww point as well.

There are products on the market that you can buy to run through your coffee maker that will clean it, but changes are good you have the tools to effectively clean the machine already available around your kitchen. Start with hot soapy water and a sponge and begin by wiping down all of the outer surfaces of the coffee maker. You can also use the water to rinse out the pot’s carafe and filter basket. Just be sure to keep the soap mixture to the outside of the machine only and never use it to clean the inside of the coffeemaker itself.

A little lemon, a little vinegar, a lot of flavor

Moving onto the coffeemaker’s inner workings, a solution of water and a natural acid such as vinegar or lemon juice can work wonders. Fill the pot’s tank with equal parts vinegar or lemon juice and cold water. Return the filter basket and carafe to their proper places and run the acid-and-water mixture through the machine like you were making a pot of coffee. Repeat the process until the water in the carafe is clear.

If you’re looking for something to clean your coffeemaker’s carafe with, you might find help from Sur La Table’s question mark-shaped Brushtech Coffee Carafe Brush. At $7.95, it seems like a small expense to save yourself the trouble of trying to get all those hard-to-reach places with your hand and a rag. The brush is covered in soft tensile foam, so it won’t scratch the pot’s glass or ceramic. Sur La Table guarantees it will last up to 20 times longer than the best sponge. It’s also dishwasher safe, in case you’re worried about cleaning your cleaning products.

Finally, if you have hard water, you may want to look into purchasing some descaling tablets for your coffeemaker. These will clean any calcium build-up from the inside of the machine and many can be found online.

Once you’re finished, all that’s left to do is brew a fresh pot and enjoy it knowing it’s at its best.

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