How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Baking Soda [For All Models]

Your coffee maker looks all nasty and slimy. The daily brewing cycles have taken their toll, and there are coffee stains all over it. The inside looks even worse, with mold and bacteria sitting like unwanted guests, giving off a musty smell. You almost feel like throwing up.

Of course, you can use a commercial cleaner to clean your coffee maker at home. However, if you’re unsure what brand is safe or in the mood to drive to your local Home Depot, you can use baking soda too.

How to clean a coffee maker with baking soda?

Dissolve a quarter cup of baking soda in one cup of lukewarm water to make a solution. Empty the coffee grounds and pour the homemade cleaning solution into the water reservoir section of your electric coffee maker. Run a half-brew cycle and let the mixture sit for 30 minutes. Run the other half of the cycle to finish cleaning your coffee maker.

You can use baking soda to even clean your coffee maker that hasn’t been used in a while, collecting dirt in the corner of your kitchen. And yes, it works like magic!

Why Use Baking Soda to Clean Your Home Coffee Maker 

Baking soda is a powerful natural cleaner used to clean many surfaces. Though abrasive in nature, it contains no harmful chemicals and is safer than most manufactured cleaning solutions available at local stores. 

• Baking soda cleans any stains, grease, or mold that build up in your coffee maker
• It acts as a deodorizing agent, removing any lingering odors without leaving behind any of its own
• Baking soda is cheap, affordable, and found in almost every household

Does Baking Soda Clean Limescale from Your Coffee Maker?

Using baking soda can help you clean your coffee maker naturally and effectively. However, it could be ineffective in removing the heavy limescale buildup found in your coffee maker’s carafe. In that case, cleaning the coffee maker with vinegar is a better option.

Just like baking soda, vinegar is a natural and non-toxic compound. It contains acetic acid, which is strong enough to dissolve even the most rigid layers of mineral deposits, such as limescale. Mix equal quantities of vinegar and water and use the solution for descaling your coffee maker.

What kind of vinegar should you use to clean your home coffee maker?

Distilled white vinegar is best for descaling coffee makers. It has a pH of around 2.5 and doesn’t contain any coloring agent, making it the perfect domestic cleaning solution for getting rid of limescale.

How Many Brewing Cycles Do You Need to Run with Vinegar to Clean Your Coffee Maker?

To clean your coffee maker, you need to run only one brew cycle with a homemade vinegar cleaning solution. However, you must run it in two parts; half at the beginning and the other half after letting the cleaning solution sit for a while. Run 2-3 additional brew cycles with fresh water to eliminate the pungent vinegar smell from your coffee maker.  

How Long Should You Let Vinegar Sit in the Carafe?

Vinegar doesn’t instantly dissolve the mineral deposits in your coffee maker. You must let it sit for at least 30 minutes. If the limescale buildup looks bad, extend the resting time to clean the coffee machine effectively.

There is one issue with using vinegar to clean your coffee maker, though.

Vinegar works great with a stainless steel coffee pot but can damage aluminum coffee makers if you are not careful enough. Therefore, if you have an aluminum coffee maker at home and are wondering how to clean it without vinegar, lime juice can be an excellent, safer alternative.   

How to Clean Your Coffee Maker with Baking Soda and Lime Juice

Lime juice when mixed with baking soda can effectively clean your coffee maker without harming it. The best part is it can be used to clean both aluminum and stainless steel coffee pots.  

1. Fill your coffee maker reservoir with fresh lemon water. The mixing quantities can be self-determined, but 1 tablespoon of lemon juice is enough for most cleaning jobs
2. Let the solution sit for an hour
3. Run the brew cycle to flush out any unwanted substances and gunk from the machine and brewing lines
4. Next, mix half a cup of baking soda with 4 tablespoons of lime juice to form a bubbling paste 
5. Rub this paste gently over the interior and exterior areas of your coffee maker to remove any remaining coffee stains and residual limescale buildup 
6. Leave the scrub for 30 minutes
7. Wipe the paste away with a damp cloth and rinse the coffee maker 

Can You Use Baking Soda to Clean a Glass Coffee Pot?

You can use baking soda to clean a glass coffee pot. However, caution must be exercised. Baking soda is abrasive and, if used roughly, can cause scratches to the surface of your glass coffee maker. 

To avoid scratches, use a soft cloth or sponge for scrubbing. Always be careful not to expose the glass surface directly to baking soda. Instead, use a baking soda and water solution. Avoid using baking soda there if your glass coffee pot already has scratches.

But what if you have a moka pot at home? How do you clean a moka pot with baking soda?

How to Clean a Moka Pot with Baking Soda 

Regular cleaning of moka pots includes washing the parts under tap water and drying them with a towel before storing them away. Simple, fast, and easy. To deep clean your moka pot, follow these steps:

1. Discard any leftover coffee grounds

Empty your moka pot by discarding the leftover coffee grounds from the last brew cycle. Be sure to look between the pressure valves and filter plate, in particular.

2. Disassemble your moka pot 

Next, disassemble the moka pot, including the gasket and the filter. Use a spoon for help, if necessary.

3. Soak it in baking soda solution 

Take some water in a bowl that can fit all your moka pot parts. Add baking soda to prepare a dilute cleaning solution. Soak all parts of the moka pot, except the rubber gasket, into the bowl and let them sit for about an hour. 

4. Clean the exterior

Gently rub the exterior of the boiler and top chamber with a sponge dipped in the bicarbonate solution. Wash all the parts, including the rubber gasket, with water. Let them air dry and reassemble.

Cleaning your moka pot with baking soda should help remove the coffee stains, mold, dirt, and grime. For getting rid of limescale, you need to clean it further with lime juice. Let’s continue with the steps. 

5. Run a brew cycle 

Unscrew your moka pot base from the top. Pour 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into it. Make sure the filter is removed. Add water and close the moka pot. Slow heat the moka pot for 3-4 minutes. Close the hob and let the moka pot sit for half an hour. This will break down the chalky white deposits. 

6. Rinse and assemble 

Finally, flush out the limewater, disassemble all the parts, run them under tap water, and dry your moka pot with a cotton towel.

Speaking of Moka pots, Lux Haus offers a range of high-quality Moka pots that are not only easy to clean but also designed to brew the perfect cup every time. Our Moka pots are made from durable materials that withstand regular cleaning, ensuring they remain in top condition for longer. Check out our collection here.

Can You Put Your Moka Pot in a Dishwasher for a Final Clean?

You shouldn’t put your moka pot in a dishwasher, especially if you have an aluminum model. The harsh detergents can make the aluminum pit corrode. Moreover, the high temperatures can deform the pot, making it difficult to seal properly the next time you use it.

While it's not recommended to put your Moka pot in a dishwasher, Lux Haus offers a range of specially designed Moka pots that are dishwasher safe. These kettles are not only easy to clean but also add a touch of elegance to your kitchen.

How Often Should You Clean Your Coffee Maker?

It’s best to clean your coffee maker after every brew to remove the mineral oils and any residue left behind to give you an uncompromised and flavorful coffee. A deep cleaning session should be carried out every three to six months.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Coffee Maker at Home

Is Baking Soda Safe To Use as a Cleaning Agent?

Baking soda is a pure, natural, non-toxic product, completely safe to use as a cleaning agent. However, it can cause redness and mild irritation if it comes in direct contact with your eyes.

How Much Baking Soda Do You Need to Clean a Coffee Maker?

To clean your coffee maker, you need a quarter cup of baking soda for each brewing cycle. If you want to repeat the cycle, you must prepare the mixture again.

How to Clean a Keurig with Baking Soda?

Run a mixture of water and baking soda in your Keurig. Flush out and rinse the system with hot water a couple of times. Scrub out any leftover residues, and you should be good to go.

Can You Reuse Vinegar After Descaling Your Coffee Maker?

Yes, you can reuse the vinegar solution multiple times, even after descaling your coffee machine. Make sure to collect it in a labeled container though, so you don’t accidentally mix it up with fresh vinegar. 

Can You Run Bleach Through Your Coffee Maker?

Bleach can damage the internal parts of your coffee maker. Therefore, you should never run bleach through it. Even though some people practice using mild bleach solutions for descaling their coffee makers, white vinegar or lime are much safer alternatives.

The Bottom Line

Your coffee maker makes your mornings brighter and days more complete and high octane, so it’s important to show it some love and care. Deep cleaning your coffee maker with baking soda (and lime) helps prolong its life and ensures you keep enjoying a warm, flavorful cup of your favorite Joe.

If the cleaning jobs are making no difference to your worn-out coffee maker parts, you can always get some new ones. Check out our store to find high quality parts for your moka pot and coffee machine at affordable rates. Happy brewing!