Three manufacturers publish steps for cleaning scale out of a coffee maker, and they use different products. Keurig and Nespresso each specify their own descaling solution, and Nespresso says other solutions, such as vinegar or store-bought descalers, may cause damage to its machine. Mr. Coffee's steps are for an automatic drip coffee maker and use vinegar. Use the one that matches your machine and check your manual. Keurig says to descale every 3-6 months; Nespresso says every 3 months or 300 capsules, whichever comes first.
Steps, by source
Keurig: the K-Mini brewer
Keurig's three-stage descaling procedure for K-Mini brewers: a cleansing rinse with descaling solution, an internal tank soak, and fresh-water rinses. Source: Keurig: Descale a Keurig K-Mini brewer.
- Get a large ceramic mug (not a paper cup), fresh water, Keurig Descaling Solution, and access to a sink.
- Make sure there is no beverage pod in the K-Cup pod holder.
- Cleansing rinse: turn on your brewer.
- Cleansing rinse: pour one third (4.6oz) of the Keurig Descaling Solution into the water reservoir, then add fresh water to the 10oz fill level.
- Cleansing rinse: place a large ceramic mug on the drip tray plate.
- Cleansing rinse: lift and lower the handle but do not add a K-Cup pod.
- Cleansing rinse: press the brew button.
- Cleansing rinse: once the solution is dispensed, pour the contents into the sink.
- Internal tank soak: repeat the cleansing rinse, but when the brew indicator light turns solid, press the power button as the brewer starts to dispense.
- Internal tank soak: let the brewer stand for at least 30 minutes.
- Internal tank soak: press and hold the brew button until the solution begins to dispense, and keep holding it until all of the solution has been dispensed.
- Internal tank soak: pour the contents of the mug into the sink.
- Fresh water rinse: repeat the cleansing rinse using 12oz of fresh water only, without Keurig Descaling Solution.
- Fresh water rinse: repeat this step two additional times, and do more fresh water rinse cycles if you notice any residual taste.
- If the brewer is heavily scaled and you see only a small or no output followed by the sound of air blowing out: turn off and unplug the brewer.
- If the brewer is heavily scaled and you see only a small or no output followed by the sound of air blowing out: if there is Keurig Descaling Solution in the water reservoir, discard it, rinse the reservoir thoroughly and refill it with water.
- If the brewer is heavily scaled and you see only a small or no output followed by the sound of air blowing out: plug the brewer back in, power on, and repeat the fresh water rinse cycle; if the problem persists, let the brewer sit unplugged for at least 30 minutes before continuing with the rinse.
What the source lists: Keurig Descaling Solution; Large ceramic mug (do not use a paper cup); Fresh water.
From the source. Do not use a paper cup.
From the source. Calcium deposits may build up faster, making it necessary to descale more often.
From the source. The cleaning action of Keurig® Descaling Solution may result in a “foam” dispensed from the brewer. This is natural, as the solution is reacting with the scale inside.
From the source. CAUTION: While brewing, there is extremely hot water in the K-Cup® pod holder. To avoid injury, do not lift the handle during the brewing process.
How often, according to Keurig: You should descale your brewer every 3-6 months.
Nespresso: the VertuoPlus
Nespresso's step-by-step descaling and rinsing cycle for the VertuoPlus using the Nespresso descaling liquid. Source: Nespresso: Descale a Nespresso VertuoPlus.
- Place something underneath your machine in case of a spill, because descaling solution can damage or discolor surfaces.
- Turn the machine on by pushing the button.
- Open the machine head by pushing the lever upwards, and let the used capsule be ejected.
- Close the machine by pushing the lever down.
- Turn the machine off by pressing and holding the lever down for 3 seconds.
- Empty the cup support and the used capsule container.
- Fill the water tank with one unit of Nespresso descaling liquid and at least 17 ounces of water.
- With the machine off, push the button and the lever down at the same time for 3 seconds to enter the special functions menu; a steady orange light shows you are in it.
- Press and release the lever once to enter descaling mode.
- Place a receptacle that holds at least 27 ounces under the coffee spout.
- Press and release the button once to begin descaling; the orange light blinks throughout, the solution comes out in stops and starts, and the machine stops automatically when the cycle is complete. You can stop the process at any time by pushing the button.
- When the descaling cycle has finished, empty, clean, and rinse the water tank and cup support thoroughly and refill the tank with fresh water.
- Press and release the button once to begin the rinsing cycle; the machine stops automatically when the cycle is complete.
- Rinse and refill the tank with fresh drinking water.
- Exit descaling mode by pressing and holding the button and the lever at the same time for 3 seconds, or until the light becomes green.
- Let the machine rest for 10 minutes.
- After descaling, wipe down the machine with a damp cloth.
What the source lists: Nespresso Descaling Kit (descaling liquid) (one unit); Water (at least 17 ounces); Receptacle (holds a minimum of 27 ounces); Damp cloth.
From the source. Other solutions (such as vinegar or store-bought descalers) may cause damage to your Nespresso machine.
From the source. Avoid filling up the water tank during the descaling process.
From the source. Keep descaling solution out of reach of children.
From the source. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water for 15 minutes and seek medical advice.
From the source. The descaling solution may be irritating to the eyes and skin.
How often, according to Nespresso: Nespresso recommends descaling every 3 months or 300 capsules (whichever comes first).
Mr. Coffee: a drip coffee maker
Mr. Coffee's once-a-month method: brew a vinegar and water mix (or use the clean function), let it sit, then run two water-only brews. Source: Mr. Coffee: Deep clean a drip coffee maker with vinegar.
- Empty the coffee carafe and clean out the filter.
- Add white vinegar and water to the coffee maker, using around half as much vinegar as you have water.
- If your coffee maker has a clean function, use it to run the clean cycle.
- If your coffee maker does not have a clean function, press Brew Now and brew the mixture as if you were brewing a regular pot of coffee.
- When the cleaning or brewing is done, let the coffee maker sit 15-30 minutes.
- Dump out the vinegar brew, toss the filter or rinse the permanent filter, and rinse the carafe thoroughly.
- Repeat the process with pure water to remove any remaining vinegar.
- Completely empty the water and run the coffee maker one last time using only water, so you do two water-only brews in total, emptying the water between each one.
- Alternatively, swap the white vinegar for apple cider vinegar (its stronger taste may linger a bit more), or use equal parts lemon juice and water; then finish with two brews of just water.
- Alternatively, run a brew with one part baking soda to four parts warm water: remove your filter first and stir the baking soda and water together before putting it in so it doesn't clump and clog the coffee maker; then finish with two brews of just water.
- Optionally, to clean the carafe, swirl a little rice in it with some warm sudsy water.
What the source lists: White vinegar (or apple cider vinegar, or equal parts lemon juice and water, or one part baking soda to four parts warm water); Water; Rice (optional, for the carafe, with warm sudsy water).
How often, according to Mr. Coffee: once a month, you should deep clean the whole coffee maker
Questions
How often should I descale my coffee maker?
Keurig says to descale your brewer every 3-6 months. Nespresso recommends descaling every 3 months or 300 capsules, whichever comes first. Mr. Coffee says to deep clean the whole coffee maker once a month.
Can I use vinegar to descale a Nespresso machine?
Nespresso says other solutions, such as vinegar or store-bought descalers, may cause damage to your Nespresso machine.
Is the foam from the Keurig normal?
Keurig says the cleaning action of its descaling solution may result in a foam dispensed from the brewer, and that this is natural, as the solution is reacting with the scale inside.
Is the descaling solution safe to touch?
Nespresso says the descaling solution may be irritating to the eyes and skin, to keep it out of reach of children, and in case of contact with eyes to rinse immediately with plenty of water for 15 minutes and seek medical advice.
Models vary, check your manual. These steps come from the sources linked above and HouseHack doesn't verify them. Follow your appliance's manual and safety labels.
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