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Here’s the Only Thing You Need to Descale a Coffee Maker

Someone filling a mug from a coffee maker.
Nataliia Zhekova/Shutterstock.com

If you’re anything like me, your coffee maker is one of your prized possessions. As a beloved appliance, it requires care and cleaning, but the good news is you only need one thing to keep it in tip-top shape.

The key to descaling your coffee maker is vinegar. If you’re a stranger to descaling, it’s the process of removing mineral build-up inside your coffee maker. Build-up can be caused by hard water used to make your coffee. While it doesn’t pose a health risk, it could make your coffee taste funny and create a chalky white film inside your appliance.

But this is an easy fix! Before you start the descaling process, make sure your coffee maker is empty and unplugged. Then, take out all the removable parts, place them in warm, soapy water, and let them soak.

Now, it’s time for the vinegar. Mix a solution of equal parts vinegar and water, and then run a brewing cycle like you usually would. Typically, two rounds of brewing should be sufficient. If it’s been a while since you descaled your pot, you might want to run a few more cycles until you feel like your coffee maker is clean.

Once the brewing is done, clean the outside of the appliance, reassemble it, and then you might want to run a few cycles of just water to get rid of any leftover vinegar taste.

After all, no one wants vinegar-coffee.

[Via MyDomaine]

Shea Simmons Shea Simmons
Shea Simmons is the Editor In Chief of LifeSavvy. Previously, she worked as a freelance writer with a focus on beauty and lifestyle content. Her work has appeared in Bustle, Allure, and Hello Giggles. Read Full Bio »
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