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What Can You Use to Clean Keurig?

Keurig was one of the first companies to make a coffee maker specifically for coffee pods. Over time a Keurig needs to be descaled. The detachable components also need to be periodically inspected and cleaned when necessary, here’s what you can use to clean a Keurig.

Overall, a non-abrasive cloth with warm soapy water is best for all of the components, and cleaning the exterior. Descaling your Keurig needs to be done every 3 to 6 months. Any type of vinegar can be used to do this but Keurig recommended white vinegar.

Coffee machine dripping coffee into cup

There are some other options for what can be used to clean a Keurig. Below, I will explain how well each of them works. As well as, how to clean a Keurig completely.

Can You Use Vinegar to Clean Keurig?

Baking soda and vinegar containers

Many Keurig models will give you a message on the LCD screen that says that your Keurig needs to be descaled. The exterior and detachable components also need to be cleaned every now and then. But, can you use vinegar to clean a Keurig?

In general, you can use vinegar to clean a Keurig. Vinegar works very well on the exterior of a Keurig. It’s also recommended by Keurig to descale your Keurig coffee maker. This is where you do a brew cycle using just vinegar to remove mineral build ups on the inside of your Keurig.

Vinegar is acidic. It is effective at helping to break down grime on the exterior of your coffee maker. However, dish soap also works well. Tap water, and bottle water typically contains minerals such as calcium and sodium.

These build up as water runs through your coffee maker. And it will eventually close your Keurig. When this happens instead of a whole cup of coffee you will have less. About 75% of a cup of half a cup of coffee at the end of a brew cycle. Descaling it will return it to normal operation.

Can You Use White Vinegar to Clean Keurig

You can use white vinegar to clean a Keurig. White vinegar is recommended by Keurig to descale a Keurig. But, it can also be used on the exterior of a Keurig. White vinegar isn’t as acidic as sherry vinegar. It takes more white vinegar than sherry vinegar to descale a Keurig. Keurig recommends using at least 48 oz (1.4 liters) of white vinegar to descale it.

Can You Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Clean Keurig

Apple cider vinegar can be used to clean a Keurig. It works very well on the exterior. It also should be used to descale a Keurig. For the components Keurig recommends using warm soapy water, and a non abrasive cloth. The parts are also dishwasher safe. Provided, the dishwasher is set to the low temperature.

Can You Use Distilled Vinegar to Clean Keurig

Distilled vinegar can be used to clean a Keurig. Distilled vinegar is particularly good at descaling a Keurig. Water contains small amounts of minerals like calcium. As the water runs through a Keurig the calcium and other minerals accumulate.

Over time, it will clog your Keurig. Using distilled vinegar will dissolve these mineral deposits completely. Distilled vinegar can also be used on the exterior of your Keurig. However, Keurig recommends warm soapy water, and a non-abrasive cloth.

Can You Use Wine Vinegar(Red/White/Rice) To Clean Keurig

You can use wine vinegar such as red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, or rice wine vinegar – also called rice vinegar, to clean a Keurig. These should be used to descale your Keurig. But, for cleaning the exterior, or the detachable components, clean them with warm soapy water. They can also be cleaned in a dishwasher but only on a low temperature setting (warm or below).

[This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 05/06/2022.]

Can You Use CLR to Clean Keurig?

White plastic cleaning solution containers

CLR is a very good cleaner to have around the home, and is very versatile. It’s particularly good at removing mineral deposits. But, can it be used to clean a Keurig?

Overall, it’s fine to use CLR to clean a Keurig. CLR is food safe, and water soluble. Therefore, it’s non-toxic and safe to use inside your coffee maker. It will also work well to descale your coffee maker. But, Keurig officially recommends white vinegar to descale your Keurig.

White vinegar and CLR will largely have the same effect of descaling your Keurig. Therefore, it’s up to you which one to use. Follow the CLR manufacturers instructions for how much to use. Keurig recommends you will need 48 oz (1.4 liters) of white vinegar. So, use the equivalent CLR solution. CLR officially recommends using a ratio of 1 part CLR, to 8 parts water for descaling a coffee maker.

This solution would be 5.33 oz of CLR, and 42.7 oz of water (150 mL of CLR, 1.25 liter of water). Equivalent to ⅔’s of a cup of CLR, and 6 cups of water.

Can You Use Bleach to Clean Keurig?

Cleaning bottle solution and latex gloves

Bleach is very effective at removing bad odors from surfaces, and for killing mold. Therefore, it’s commonly used as a household cleaner. A Keurig needs to be descaled and cleaned from time to time, so here’s whether bleach can be used to clean your Keurig.

Generally, bleach can be used to clean your Keurig. However, only the exterior and the components. Bleach is not food safe, so care must be taken to thoroughly clean off any bleach residue after using it. It’s also not strong enough to descale your Keurig.

Other types of cleaners are generally better to use instead of bleach. The best options are vinegar to descale it. And dish soap, and a non-abrasive cloth for the drip tray and other detachable components. As well as, wiping down the exterior. The parts of your Keurig that detach can be cleaned in the dishwasher. But, only on a warm water setting or cooler.

Can You Use Baking Soda to Clean Keurig?

Baking soda and vinegar with wooden spoon

Baking soda is a common household ingredient used for baking. It’s also used for a range of other uses such as, as a cleaner. This is a summary of whether it’s OK to use baking soda to clean your Keurig.

In general, baking soda can be used to clean your Keurig. However, regular dish soap is strong enough to clean your Keurig, and is recommended to be used by Keurig. To descale your Keurig use white vinegar.

Baking soda is a very strong cleaner that works very well for very difficult to remove grease and grime. Typically this isn’t required for a Keurig. Warm soapy water works best. If there is residue that is difficult to remove on the detachable components then soak them in warm soapy water for 30 mins or more.

If some grease or grime accidently got on the outside of your Keurig, then using baking soda is very effective. Make a paste out of baking soda, and let it sit on the area with grease and grime for 30 mins or more. Then use a non abrasive cloth, or plastic scrubbing brush to scrub the grease and grime until it’s all gone.

Can You Use Citric Acid to Clean Keurig?

Cut lemons and cutting board

It’s possible to buy citric acid powder, and turn it into a cleaning solution by adding water. It’s a strong cleaner that works well. So, here’s the rundown on whether you can use citric acid to clean a Keurig.

Generally, you can use citric acid to clean a Keurig. Citric acid can be used to clean the exterior, and detachable components. Citric acid has a similar pH (acidity) to vinegar. Vinegar is recommended by Keurig for descaling your Keurig. But, dish soap is recommended for everything else.

A good ratio of citric acid to water to use is 1 tablespoon of citric acid to 1 quart (1 liter) of water. Mix the citric acid into the water until it’s completely dissolved. You will need about 48 oz (1.4 liters) of a citric acid solution to completely descale your Keurig.

The good thing about citric acid is that it’s completely natural. It’s the same as vinegar in this regard. Therefore, you don’t need to be as careful to flush it all out with water after using it.

Can You Use Lemon Juice to Clean Keurig?

Lemon juice being squeezed into glass bowl

During lemon season you can have an abundance of lemons. It’s also a completely natural cleaning product that works well for a range of different applications. However, can it be used to clean a Keurig?

In general, lemon juice can be used to clean your Keurig. Lemon juice has a very similar acidity to white vinegar. White vinegar is recommended to descale a Keurig. Whereas, dish soap is recommended for exterior and detachable components.

White vinegar is an easier option because it will take a very long time to make enough lemon juice to descale your coffee maker. You need a significant amount of liquid to descale a Keurig. The recommended amount is 1.5 quarts (1.4 liters).

This is run through your Keurig on a brew cycle one cup at a time. Based on the amount of water this will take 7 brew cycles or about 30 minutes. After that, you run through about 2 to 3 brew cycles with just water. Doing so, flushes out any of what you used to descale your Keurig.

[This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 05/06/2022.]

Can You Use Denture Tablets to Clean Keurig?

Dentures in cleaning solution

A solution made out of denture tablets is known to be effective as a cleaner. However, it’s important to use a cleaner that won’t damage your Keurig. I looked into if its OK to use denture tablets to clean a Keurig and here’s what I found.

Overall, denture tablets can be used to clean a Keurig. The main way they are used is to descale a Keurig. Keurig does not recommend using them. But, they work well. Descale a Keurig by dissolving denture tablets in water. Then run a brew cycle using the dissolved denture tablets.

Denture tablets are commonly made from chemicals that are toxic. So, if you decide to use them be sure to flush all of it out using water. And be extra thorough. Typically vinegar, or citric acid are better to use because they’re non toxic. And work just as well.

Vinegar can be used without diluting it. Whereas, citric acid should be in a concentration that is 1 tablespoon of citric acid to 1 quart (1 liter) of water.

Can You Use Cleaning Tablets to Clean Keurig?

Cleaning tablets dissolving in water

There are specialist cleaning tablets for cleaning the interior of your Keurig. It’s possible to clean the interior of a Keurig without cleaning tablets. Here’s some of the best options.

In general, you can use white vinegar, lemon juice, or dissolved denture tablets to clean a Keurig. These can be used to descale the interior of Keurig. For the exterior and detachable components, Keurig recommends warm soap water and dish soap.

They also recommend not using an abrasive cloth. An abrasive cloth can create scour marks on the components or exterior of your Keurig. Scouring pads on dish sponges can be made of plastic. But, they can also be made of metal. Therefore, it’s best to use a plastic dish brush, or old toothbrush to scrub the exterior, and detachable components of your Keurig.

Cleaning tablets can contain toxic chemicals, but some don’t. If they do, then be careful to flush them out really well. And it’s worth flushing it out too many times, then not enough.

Can You Use Soap to Clean Keurig?

Dish soap put on sponges

Soap is a common cleaner used for almost everything. A Keurig is a special appliance and it’s important to use the right cleaners for it. But, is soap OK to use to clean a Keurig?

Overall, soapy can be used to clean a Keurig. But, it’s ineffective to descale your Keurig. Vinegar, a citric acid solution, dissolved denture tablets, and specialist descaling products, can be used to descale your Keurig. Warm soapy water works for the exterior and the detachable components.

Keurig recommends 1.5 quarts (1.4 liters) of liquid to descale a Keurig. And then to do a few brew cycles of just water. This will flush out any of the liquid you used to descale your Keurig.

Dishwasher tablets or dishwasher liquid can also be used on the detachable components. Detachable components can be placed in your dishwasher. As long as the water is warm to cold, and not hot. They can also be washed in the sink using warm soapy water.

This content is owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on May 6, 2022..

How to Clean Keurig Without Descaling Solution

Dissolving tablets in cup of water

There are specially made descaling solutions that work great to descale a Keurig. If you need to descale your Keurig but don’t have any descaling solution on hand. Or, if you want to know what your other options are, here’s how to clean a Keurig without a descaling solution.

In general, white vinegar can be used instead of a descaling solution. But, vinegar (any type), lemon juice, and dissolved denture tablets also work to descale a Keurig. Keurig officially recommends white vinegar. The detachable components and exterior should be cleaned with warm soapy water.

How soapy water isn’t recommended to be used according to the Keurig owners manuals. The detachable components can also be cleaned in the dishwasher. Provided, the water is set to warm, or the coldest setting. There is also a nozzle that can need to be cleared every now and then. This nozzle is the part of your Keurig that punctures the coffee pod.

Therefore, you need to be very careful cleaning the area. A diagram for how to clean it is shown in Keurig Owners Manuals. Here’s a big list of the Keurig models with a link to download a PDF version.

The nozzle is recommended to be cleared using a bent paper clip. You should poke it through the whole to clear any coffee build up.

This article was first published on May 6, 2022 by Wabi Sabi Group..

As a general rule, warm soapy water and a non abrasive cloth, or plastic bristle brush can be used to clean your Keurig. However, Keurigs also need to be descaled. This is done by running about 7 brew cycles with either vinegar, citric acid, CLR, or dissolved denture tablets.

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WabiSabi Group is the owner of this article and was published on May 6, 2022 and last modified on .

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