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 can expose yourself to if you don't wash it regularly, and find out which cleaner is the best!

The coffee maker can be an ideal environment for the development and growth of disease-causing bacteria, especially if you do not regularly empty and clean the tank. Remaining coffee grounds attract mold and even insects, while limescale deposits affect the quality of the machine as well as the taste of 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 the coffee maker every week, writes Best Life. This habit also prolongs the life of the coffee maker.

How to descale a coffee machine

To remove limescale from a coffee maker, white vinegar can help. 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 make sure any residue is filtered out and removed. At the end, add a teaspoon of baking soda, rinse and turn the machine back on. Finally, you wash the inside of the tank and wipe it down with a clean cloth.

Some coffee machines may also have a self-cleaning function that can be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.