Have you ever checked your Keurig? Yes, You Should Clean It Up ASAP - CNET - ApparelGeek

This story is part of Home Tips , CNET's collection of practical tips for getting the most out of your home, inside and out.

When you hit the start button on your Keurig every morning, dirt will inevitably build up over time. And you have to be careful: if left unchecked, mineral buildup can prevent your Keurig from performing at its best. If enough of that dirt builds up to reach the innards of your machine, the Keurig could stop working altogether.

However, it's easy to clean off the dirt and keep your Keurig running for years to come - just give your favorite coffee maker the care it deserves. The brewing system, drip trays and water tanks require frequent attention. Even the exterior of your device collects unsightly smudges, fingerprints, and other smudges that you want to remove.

Here's how to clean your Keurig and keep it in top condition. If you're looking for a new coffee maker, you can also check out the best Keurig deals currently available . Also, check out our picks for the best coffee makers , best cold brew brewers , and best coffee accessories .

Wipe the exterior of your Keurig coffee maker with a damp cloth.

Brian Bennett/CNET

1. Clean the outside of the Keurig

Start by cleaning the outside of the coffee maker. In fact, Keurig recommends that you do this every day . First make sure that the coffee machine is switched off and unplugged from the mains. Then use a damp cloth to wipe dust and other contaminants from the outside of the machine.

Pay particular attention to the front area directly under the coffee spout. This section tends to attract a lot of splashes and drips.

If your Keurig coffee maker's drip tray looks like this, it's time to clean it.

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2. Wash the drip tray

The drip tray is another part of the coffee maker that is prone to getting dirty. Spilled liquids often go unnoticed. Coffee drops can also evaporate here and leave stains. A quick hand wash in the kitchen sink eliminates this mess in no time. Hot water and dish soap work well. Perform this cleaning task daily.

After a quick hand wash in the sink, the drip tray looks great.

Brian Bennett/CNET

Save yourself the hassle and just buy a Keurig maintenance kit. This one comes with a 3 month supply of everything you need.

Get Price Alerts for Keurig Brewer Care Kit 3 Months Includes Descaling Solution Water Filter Cartridges & Flushing Capsules Classic/1.0 & 2.0 Compatible K-Cup Brewers Pack of 7

3. Clean the water tank

Here is another daily cleaning task. This is to give the water tank the same hand washing treatment. Be sure to remove the water filter first if your machine has one. Depending on your coffee maker, it's safe to throw your tank in the dishwasher.

The pod holder was the dirtiest area of ​​my test K-cup coffee maker.

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4. Check the capsule holder

The dirtiest part of my reviewed Keurig K-Classic coffee maker was the pod holder. Sediment, dirt and dried coffee had formed a noticeable roughness here. To fix this problem, I removed the pod holder and separated it into its two main parts. I then gave them a water rinse and a good scrubbing with a damp cloth.

You can also use a paper clip to remove dirt from inside the brew spout. The outlet needle is located inside the capsule holder. Be careful because this needle is sharp. Please note that Keurig recommends cleaning the pod holder weekly.

Perform a water-only brew cycle to flush your Keurig coffee maker's brew system.

Brian Bennett/CNET

5. Bleed the entire system

It is important to keep your Keurig machine's brewing system clean. Dirty equipment can produce off-flavors from the last brew. Enjoying a single-origin Sumatran pumpkin-spiced latte isn't ideal. Dirt or other contaminants can also lead to blockages or even malfunctions.

To clean everything, run a daily brew cycle through the machine with just water. Make sure there is enough water in the reservoir and the pod chamber is empty. You can cycle with any cup size you want, as long as the cup you are brewing in is big enough to hold the liquid.

And if you have never descaled your coffee maker or it has been three months, you should do so. According to Keurig, you should do the procedure quarterly. You can use vinegar or the company's special descaler . Please note that this is a lengthy process , requiring at least 45 minutes (4 hours with vinegar).

However, descaling removes any mineral deposits (commonly present in tap water) that may be adhering to the internal components of your coffee maker. This in turn ensures your coffee maker is brewing at the optimum temperature.

After completing all of these steps, wipe the infusion again to remove excess moisture. You should now be ready to brew in perfect condition.

For more household cleaning tips, see How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet , How to Clean Your Grill, and How to Clean a Mattress .

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