How To Clean Your Coffee Maker

If your coffee pot is looking a little less than sparkling lately, use this method to return it to its former glory.

1. Fill the coffee pot half way with vinegar. Add water to fill the pot.

2. Pour the vinegar/water mixture into the coffee maker and turn it on as if to brew a pot of coffee.

3. When it's done brewing, pour the pot of vinegar/water BACK in the coffee maker and repeat the brewing process.

4. When the process is done this time, discard the vinegar/water.

5. Fill the coffee pot with clean water and pour it in the coffee maker again.

6. Run the clean water through the maker as if brewing a pot of coffee again.

7. When pot is full, empty it and repeat the process with another pot of clean water.

When you're all done, your coffee pot should be sparkling clean, and the inner workings of the maker should be clean also. The vinegar breaks down any stains in the pot and keeps the tank and tubes inside the maker free of any buildup. Running clean water through rinses the vinegar out.

Use this method once every couple of weeks to prolong the life of your coffee maker and have great, fresh tasting cups of coffee every day!

As a side note, if you have a thermos or coffee cups that are stained, fill them with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water overnight. In the morning, pour it out and the stains will be gone!