A coffee maker is an appliance that many of us use on a daily basis, but often don’t think to clean until it’s too late. By taking the time to clean your coffee maker regularly, you can prolong its life and keep it brewing your morning cup of joe just the way you like it. Keep reading for easy tips on how to clean your coffee maker.

Step 1: Unplug the coffee maker and remove any removable parts. These include the carafe, filter basket, and spray head (if your model has one).

Step 2: Soak all of the removable parts in a sink full of warm, soapy water. If you have hard water, you may want to use distilled white vinegar instead of soap. Let the parts soak for about 15 minutes, then scrub them with a non-abrasive sponge or brush. Rinse the parts well and set them aside to dry.

Step 3: Wipe down the outside of the coffee maker with a damp cloth. Be sure to reach all of the nooks and crannies, including the control panel and handles.

Step 4: Once everything is clean and dry, reassemble the coffee maker and plug it in.

Step 5: To descale your coffee maker (remove built-up calcium deposits), mix equal parts water and vinegar in a measuring cup. Pour this mixture into the water reservoir and run a brew cycle without adding any coffee grounds. Depending on how hard your water is, you may need to repeat this step a few times. After descaling, run a brew cycle with just fresh water to remove any residual vinegar taste before making your next pot of coffee.

Cleaning your coffee maker may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your coffee maker will last for years to come. And don’t forget – descaling is an important part of maintaining your coffee maker. If you have hard water, be sure to descale regularly (monthly or every other month) to prevent build-up from damaging your appliance.