If you’re wondering how do i clean a mr coffee machine, you’re already on the path to better coffee. A clean machine is the secret to a great tasting cup, and it helps your brewer last for years. This guide will walk you through the simple steps, from a daily wipe-down to a deep monthly clean.
How Do I Clean a Mr Coffee Machine
Cleaning your Mr. Coffee machine isn’t just about looks. Over time, mineral deposits from water, called scale, build up inside. Old coffee oils turn rancid. This affects flavor, slows brewing, and can even cause your machine to fail. A regular cleaning routine fixes all of that.
What You’ll Need for Cleaning
Gathering your supplies first makes the job easy. You likely have most of this at home already.
- White vinegar or a commercial descaling solution
- Fresh, cold water
- A soft sponge or cloth
- A small brush (an old toothbrush works perfectly)
- Mild dish soap
- A large mug or carafe
Daily and Weekly Cleaning Habits
Small habits make the big deep cleans much easier. Try to do these quick tasks regularly.
After Each Use
Get into the habit of rinsing the carafe and filter basket right after you pour your coffee. Dump the used paper filter and grounds. Give the basket a quick rinse under the tap to wash away oily residue. Wipe the warming plate with a damp cloth to remove any coffee drips.
Weekly Wipe-Down
Once a week, unplug your machine and let it cool completely. Use a cloth dampened with a mild soapy solution to wipe the entire exterior. Don’t forget the lid of the carafe and the water reservoir lid. Rinse the cloth and wipe away any soap. Then dry everything with a clean towel. This prevents sticky buildup.
The Monthly Deep Cleaning & Descaling Process
This is the most important process for maintaining your machine. Descaling removes hard water minerals, and a full clean tackles old oils. Plan to do this about once a month, or more often if you have very hard water.
- Prepare the Vinegar Solution: Mix equal parts white vinegar and fresh water. For a standard 12-cup machine, you’ll usually need about 2 cups of vinegar and 2 cups of water. If you’re using a commercial descaler, follow the bottle’s instructions.
- Run a Cleaning Cycle: Pour the vinegar solution into the water reservoir of your coffee maker. Place the empty carafe back on the warming plate. Put a clean filter in the basket (this catches any loosened gunk). Turn the machine on and let it brew just like you were making coffee, but only until about half the solution has cycled through.
- Pause and Soak: Turn the machine off. Let the vinegar solution sit in the carafe and inside the hot water tube for about 15 to 20 minutes. This gives the acid time to break down the mineral scale.
- Complete the Cycle: Turn the machine back on and let it finish brewing the rest of the vinegar solution into the carafe.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Dump the hot vinegar from the carafe. Fill the water reservoir completely with fresh, cold water. Place the empty carafe back on the plate and run a full brew cycle. Do this again with another reservoir of fresh water. This is crucial to rinse all vinegar taste out. You may need to run 2-3 clear water cycles until you no longer smell vinegar.
Cleaning Individual Parts
Some parts need a little extra attention. Take them apart for a detailed clean.
The Carafe (Pot)
Coffee stains can cling to glass. For stubborn stains, make a paste of baking soda and water. Gently scrub the inside of the carafe with the paste using a soft sponge. Rinse extremely well. For plastic parts, avoid abrasive scrubbers that can scratch.
The Filter Basket and Holder
Remove the filter basket from the machine. Wash it in warm, soapy water. Use that small brush to scrub the little holes in the bottom where water drips through. Rinse it thoroughly to remove all soap residue. Let it air dry completely before putting it back.
The Water Reservoir
You can often lift or snap out the reservoir. Wash it in the sink with mild soap. Pay special attention to the lid and any crevices. A build-up of slime or mold can happen here if it’s ignored. Dry it well before reattaching.
Solving Common Mr. Coffee Cleaning Problems
Sometimes you’ll encounter specific issues. Here’s how to handle them.
- Slow Brewing: This is almost always caused by scale in the internal tubes. A thorough descaling with vinegar, as described above, will usually speed it right up.
- Weird Tastes or Smells: If your coffee tastes off even after descaling, rancid coffee oils are the likely culprit. Clean every removable part with soap, and run several water-only cycles. Sometimes the hot water tube needs extra cleaning.
- Mineral Stains on the Warming Plate: Make sure the plate is cool. Dampen a cloth with a bit of vinegar and lay it on the stain for a few minutes. Gently scrub. Never pour liquid directly onto the warming plate.
Keeping Your Machine Clean Longer
Prevention is easier than cleaning. A few simple tips can extend time between deep cleans.
- Use filtered water in your reservoir. It has fewer minerals, so scale builds up slower.
- Always empty any leftover water from the reservoir after use.
- Store the carafe with the lid off to allow air circulation and prevent musty smells.
- Change your paper filter brand if you notice more fines or silt in your carafe, as some filters are less effective than others.
When to Descale vs. When to Clean
It’s good to know the difference. Descaling specifically targets hard water minerals (scale) inside the heating element and tubes. Cleaning refers to removing coffee oils, grounds, and external grime. You should do both as part of your monthly routine. The vinegar solution does both jobs at once, which is why it’s so effective.
FAQ Section
How often should I clean my Mr. Coffee maker?
You should do a full descaling and deep clean about once a month. If you use very hard water or brew coffee multiple times a day, you might need to do it every two or three weeks.
Can I use lemon juice instead of vinegar to clean my coffee machine?
Yes, you can. The citric acid in lemon juice also breaks down scale. Use the same method, substituting fresh lemon juice or a bottled version mixed with water. However, vinegar is usually more effective and less expensive for this job.
What if my Mr. Coffee still smells after cleaning?
Run two more cycles with just fresh water. If the smell persists, try a stronger solution of two parts vinegar to one part water for the descaling cycle. Ensure you’ve scrubbed the carafe lid and filter basket holder, as smells linger in plastic.
How do I clean a Mr Coffee machine that hasn’t been cleaned in years?
Start with the standard vinegar process. You may need to repeat the entire descaling cycle two or three times to break through heavy buildup. Be patient and use plenty of fresh water rinses afterwards. Inspect and hand-wash every removable part with soap.
Is it safe to use dish soap inside the water reservoir?
Yes, but be cautious. Use only a small amount of mild soap, and rinse the reservoir repeatedly until no soap suds remain. Any leftover soap will ruin your next pot of coffee, so rinsing is absolutely critical.
Final Tips for a Pristine Machine
Treating your coffee maker well means it will treat you to great coffee. Never submerge the main base unit in water. Always unplug the machine and let it cool before cleaning the exterior. If you have a specific model, checking the manual for any unique parts is a good idea. Regular maintenance is the key. A clean machine brews faster, tastes better, and will be a reliable part of your morning routine for a long, long time.