Quck answer
Cleaning a coffee maker with bleach is an effective way to remove residue and bacteria. To do this, mix 1 part bleach with 10 parts water and pour it into the water reservoir. Run a brewing cycle without coffee grounds, then repeat the process with plain water to rinse out any remaining bleach. Make sure to clean the carafe, filter basket, and other removable parts separately in warm soapy water. Finally, wipe down the exterior of the coffee maker with a damp cloth. Regular cleaning with bleach will keep your coffee maker fresh and functioning properly.
Using bleach to clean your coffee maker is not recommended due to its harsh chemical composition and potential for harm if consumed. Even when diluted with water, bleach solutions used for sanitizing dishes in commercial settings need to air dry in order to be fully effective, which is not possible inside a coffee maker. Additionally, using bleach can result in damage to the machine and the presence of bleach in your morning cup of coffee.
Instead of using bleach, there are cheaper and safer alternatives available for cleaning your coffee maker.
Oops! You’ve Already Used Bleach
If you have already used diluted bleach in your coffee maker, you may be wondering if you need to discard the appliance. The answer depends on the amount of bleach you used. If the bleach was diluted at a ratio of at least 2 teaspoons of bleach to 1 gallon of water, you can flush the system by running a full pot of water through the brewing cycle at least four times. Afterward, leave the top open to allow the machine to air dry as much as possible.
If the bleach dilution was stronger than 2 teaspoons of bleach to 1 gallon of water, it may be difficult to adequately remove the bleach from the coffee pot. It is not recommended to try to clean out the bleach by flushing the coffee maker with vinegar, as this can lead to the release of toxic gas.
As an alternative, you can purchase bleach solution food handling test strips, which are cheaper than buying a new coffee maker. Run water through the coffee maker again and use the test strip to check for any indication of bleach. To be on the safe side, it may be best to invest in a new coffee maker.
Safe Methods for Cleaning Your Coffee Maker
A safer and equally affordable option for cleaning your coffee maker is to use a vinegar solution. Unlike bleach, if you do not completely flush out the vinegar after cleaning, the only consequence will be a slightly unpleasant taste, rather than potential harm.
To use a vinegar solution, mix equal parts white vinegar and water and fill the water reservoir completely. Run the solution through your coffee maker using the longest brewing cycle. Follow this up with a brewing cycle of plain water. If any vinegar smell or taste remains, repeat the process with additional cycles.
If you do not have white vinegar available, you can also use apple cider vinegar. Simply mix two times as much water as apple cider vinegar to create an affordable and effective cleaning solution.
Coffee Maker Cleaners vs. Vinegar
There are also commercial coffee maker cleaners available, although they tend to be more expensive than using vinegar. However, they work in a similar manner. Dilute the cleaner with enough water to fill the coffee maker’s tank, run the brewing cycle without a paper filter, and then run a rinse cycle with pure water.
By allowing your chosen cleaning solution, whether it be coffee maker cleaners or vinegar, to soak in the water tank for approximately 30 minutes before starting the cycle, and then letting it soak in the coffee pot for another 30 minutes after completion, you can enhance the effectiveness of the cleaning process. This ensures that the cleaning solution has enough time to come into contact with the accumulated buildup and scale, effectively loosening it. In cases of heavily soiled coffee makers, it may be necessary to run multiple cleaning cycles with the solution.
To prevent the growth of mold and mildew, it is important to not leave coffee grounds in the coffee maker after use. It is also recommended to open up the coffee maker as much as possible to allow it to air dry when not in use, and to clean the coffee maker with a cleaning solution at least once a week.
