How To Clean A Keurig Coffee Maker The Best Way [All Models]

As an Amazon Associate, I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Are you a new owner of a Keurig coffee maker looking for advice on how to clean it and keep it working at its best? We’ve got you covered.

Or maybe you have been using your Keurig coffee machine for a few months and are starting to notice that something isn’t quite right. For example:

• The taste of your coffee is unusually bitter, burnt or metallic
• There are coffee grinds in your cup
• Your Keurig’s lights have started blinking
• The temperature of your coffee is cooler than usual
• The amount of coffee brewed is less than a full cup
• Your machine is not pumping water at all
• The Keurig keeps shutting off when you try to brew a K-cup

Keurig recommends regularly cleaning your coffee machine. If you haven’t been doing that, well… better late than never! Keep reading to learn how to clean a Keurig coffee maker.

How To Clean a Keurig Daily

I suggest you follow these daily cleaning steps no matter what model you have. Your coffee maker will be OK if you forget to do these steps a few days (I’m guilty of it too). However, the more often you can do it, the better off your machine will be in the long run.

This first tip is the most important. Always eject used K-cups right after brewing. Never leave them in the holder. If you do, coffee grinds can get stuck there leading to a burnt or bitter taste in your next cup. Then, when you are done using the machine for the day, run a water only brew cycle with no K-cup in the unit to rinse out any coffee grinds that may have been left behind.

Rinse and refill the water tank using fresh water. Also, empty the drip tray to prevent overflowing and bacteria buildup. If you have a K-Latte or another Keurig with a milk frother or steamer component, you will want to wash those pieces thoroughly.

How To Clean A Keurig Weekly

Use a Keurig rinse pod to remove any coffee residue or oils from inside the machine every week. If not, residue and oil from coffee grinds can build up in your coffee maker over time. A Keurig rinse pod is the easiest way to clean your K-cup pod holder. These pods contain a special formula that can rinse away the leftover coffee residue and oils.

After the rinse cycle, take a cloth that is damp with warm water or a mild cleaner to wipe down the outside of the machine. Wipe under the coffee outlet too. Never use any strong cleaning agent.

If you have a Keurig 2.0, you should also wipe down the touch screen every week. Clean along the edges. This will prevent dust and other debris from building up that could make the touch screen stop working.

Monthly Keurig Maintenance

When you brew a K-cup, there are needles inside your coffee maker that make two holes in the pod so water can pass through. The coffee grounds can get stuck around the needle and become dry and hard. This is even more likely to happen if you don’t remove your pods soon after brewing.

Every month, you will want to take the time to clean the entrance and exit needles. My related post on this topic will walk you through the needle maintenance steps, using either a paperclip or, if you have a Keurig 2.0, the orange accessory that came with your brewer.

When you finished with the needles, you can clean the rest of the pod holder. Take a small, soft brush (like a spare toothbrush), dip it in water, and gently scrub away at any coffee grinds you see on the top and bottom of the chamber. Be careful around those sharp needles!

Replace Water Filters Every 2 Months

Most Keurig coffee brewers have a charcoal water filter. The filter helps remove minerals and other impurities from the water used to brew your K-cups. You should replace the filter every 2 months or every after using 60 full water tanks. Learn how to replace a Keurig water filter.

Descale Keurig Every 3 Months

You should run a deep cleaning cycle to descale your Keurig machine every 3 to 6 months. If you have hard water, meaning it has a higher level of minerals, you should do this more often. This will remove limescale buildup inside your machine. If not done regularly, this can cause problems over time with water flow, water pressure and temperature. Learn how to descale a Keurig coffee maker, with steps for each model. You’ll need to buy a descaling solution.

Why Cleaning Keurig With Vinegar Is A Bad Idea

Keurig warns that you should not descale with vinegar or lemon juice. White vinegar has 5-8% acetic acid. Apple cider vinegar and lemon juice have 5-6%. This can wear down metal and cause leaks.

Using a DIY solution with vinegar or baking soda to clean your Keurig can void the warranty. You also don’t want a vinegar taste or smell in your cup of coffee. The best way to clean is with a descaling solution that contains safer types of acids that won’t cause damage or change the taste of your coffee.