Why is it important to clean your coffee maker? Bonus: the best solution for sanitation!
Cleaning your coffee maker is essential for both the longevity of the device and your health. Here are the dangers you could be exposing yourself to if you don't wash it regularly, and find out which cleaner is best!
Your coffee maker can be an ideal environment for pathogenic bacteria to develop and grow, especially if you don't empty and clean the reservoir regularly. Leftover coffee grounds attract mold and even insects, and limescale deposits affect the performance of the machine as well as the taste of the drinks.
When to clean your coffee maker
If you notice that your drink tastes different than usual, it's time to sanitize your coffee maker. You also know it's time to wash it if the coffee takes longer than usual to brew or if the machine freezes.
To prevent the formation of mold, bacteria and limescale, experts advise washing your coffee maker every week, writes Best Life. This habit will also extend the life of your coffee maker.
How to descale a coffee machine
White vinegar can help remove limescale from your coffee maker. Reserve a solution of half water and half vinegar, leave for 30 minutes and turn on the coffee maker. You then rinse the tank with hot soapy water and run the machine to ensure all residue is filtered and removed. Finally, add a teaspoon of baking soda, rinse and turn on the machine again. Finally, you wash the inside of the tank and wipe it with a clean cloth.
Some coffee machines may also have a self-cleaning feature that can be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
