Knowing how to clean a coffee maker without vinegar is very important. While drinking coffee, we feel the change in flavor. This might be because we do not clean the coffee maker regularly. Not cleaning the coffee maker regularly results in the buildup of coffee residue and mineral deposits in the water.
The mineral deposits inside the machine, called scaling, can affect the coffee’s flavor and clog the coffee maker’s components. Unfortunately, it also affects the efficiency of the coffee machine, and you might also notice the increasingly bitter taste of the coffee.
So you should regularly clean the brewing basket and other parts of the machine to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, yeast, and mineral deposits. This post will discuss how to clean a coffee maker without vinegar.
How important is it to clean your coffee maker?
As I also discussed earlier, it is very important to clean the coffee maker because it ultimately results in a bitter taste. It might be due to not cleaning the coffee machine regularly and properly. Unfortunately, it might also reduce the life of your coffee machine.
Two things affect the life of the coffee maker. You also feel the sour taste of the coffee. So these two things are leftover coffee residues and limescale. Many of us know about limescale as it is a residue in most bathrooms and kitchens.
If the water in your home is high in mineral content, then there is a chance of limescale buildup in your coffee machine. When the water in the coffee maker evaporates, it leaves behind magnesium and calcium deposits.
Why should we not use vinegar as a coffee maker cleaner?
We all know that the most common method to clean the coffee machine is to run white vinegar many times. However, it is an excellent cleaner for cleaning your coffee machine. It can kill the mold and bacteria inside the device but has some aggravating side effects.
The first thing is that it is acidic and is difficult to flush out from the machine. Its lousy odor is one of the most important reasons people do not like using vinegar to clean their coffee machines. But do not worry about how to clean your coffee maker.
How To Clean a Coffee Maker Without Vinegar
In this post, We will discuss different cleaners to clean your device.
Lemon Juice
We all know that just like vinegar, lemon juice is also very acidic. It is great to clean your machine with lemon. It comes off with a soothing smell and does not leave the same bitter aftertaste as vinegar.
It is very easy to clean the coffee maker with lemon juice. You must start by running a simple brewing cycle with fresh water first. Then turn off the machine when the reservoir is half filled with water.
Then you have to mix equal parts of water and lemon juice. For example, half a cup of water and half a cup of lemon and pour this mixture into the machine’s reservoir. Then we should wait 15 minutes for all the mixture to steep in the machine. After that, complete the brewing cycle.
Liquid Dish Soap
Surprisingly, dish soap is the easiest method to clean the coffee maker. First, remove all the detachable parts of the machine and soak them in soapy water. After that, arrange them with simple water, allow to dry, and then put them back into the machine.
Baking Soda
We all know that baking soda is an all-rounder natural cleaning agent that is mild but effective in cleaning things. Remove the filter from the coffee maker. Take one cup of warm water and pour it into the pot.
Then put 1/4 Cup baking soda into the pot. Then spin the machine with your hands and allow it to dissolve. Then pour this solution into the water. Then set the pot into its place and start the brewing cycle. It is a great solution to clean all the components of the coffee maker.
The good thing about baking soda and water solutions is that they also remove the machine’s grime and residue. When the brewing cycle is completed, brew the freshwater to remove the leftover from the baking soda.
Cleaning with Alcohol
Like baking soda, alcohol also plays a very important role in cleaning the coffee maker. Cleaning through this method needs three things, a cotton ball, a bowl, and rubbing alcohol.
First, put off the device and pour any remaining water or coffee from the machine. Take a bowl and fill it with rubbing alcohol. So put the cotton balls in the alcohol and then use them to clean the coffee pot. The coffee maker and filter basket should also be cleaned to ensure they are all clean.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is famous for its disinfectant property, and due to this feature, you can use it in your kitchen appliances. It works very well and kills bacterial buildup. Another advantage of using hydrogen peroxide for cleaning is that it helps remove the bad odors from the coffee maker.
First, mix two distilled water with one part of hydrogen peroxide. For example, if you take two cups of distilled water, you must mix 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide. After brewing a regular cycle, pour the solution into the coffee maker’s reservoir. If you think that your device is dirtier from the inside, you can run the second cycle.
Borax
The white powder known as borax is also known as sodium borate. Just like Hydrogen Peroxide, people also use borax for cleaning household things. It also serves as a laundry detergent and can be used to clean the coffee machine.
The method of cleaning through borax is similar to cleaning through baking soda. However, the ratio of borax and water is slightly different. Add two tablespoons of borax to a full carafe of water and then allow the solution to run through the brewing cycle. After that, run the distilled water through the machine, and your machine is thoroughly cleaned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of vinegar to descale?
Baking soda or lemon juice is the best alternative for your coffee maker. The reason is that lemon juice is considered the natural descaler and is very helpful in removing any buildup in your coffee maker. However, on the other side, baking soda is famous for removing tough stains and odors.
Is it safe to clean the coffee maker with bleach?
Like baking soda, bleach is also the best cleaner for removing the tough stains and buildup in the coffee maker. This is a toxic chemical, so be careful when using it. Make sure that you rinse the coffee maker thoroughly after cleaning the machine.
Can I use CLR to clean the coffee maker?
CLR is a famous cleaner for removing calcium buildup from different surfaces. However, manufacturers do not recommend it to clean the coffee maker. The reason is that there are harsh chemicals in this solution that can damage different parts of your coffee machine. Also, it is harmful if ingested.
Final thoughts
Vinegar is a powerful cleaning solution, but many dislike its pinching smell. I have compiled this post to help you learn how to clean a coffee maker without vinegar. Using vinegar is not the only way to clean your coffee maker; there are other items you can also use in your kitchen.
You can clean easily with vinegar substitutes with a bit of elbow grease and scrubbing. If you want your coffee machine to look beautiful and shiny, you can clean it with water, baking soda, lemon juice, and vinegar or use a self-cleaning alternative.
Zakir Hossain is the accountant of Dan Foods Limited (Dan Cake BD). He loves his family, and whenever he gets an opportunity to spend leisure time, he utilizes it by brewing coffee and enjoying it with his family. He has a beautiful baby girl name Sara Zakir.
