How to Clean a Keurig Machine, Step by Step

A clean Keurig can brew more reliably and help prevent mineral scale from affecting water flow or taste. Routine cleaning means washing the removable pieces and wiping areas that collect drips or grounds; descaling is a separate process that clears deposits inside the water path. Before starting, check the owner’s manual for your exact model, since parts and descaling steps vary.

What You’ll Need

Descaling solution approved for your Keurig model. Keurig recommends its own solution for many brewers, but check your manual for compatible products.
Fresh water for rinsing and brewing rinse cycles.
A soft, damp cloth and mild dish soap.
A large, heat-safe mug or container to catch dispensed liquid.
A clean, dry towel and access to a sink.

Do not use vinegar unless the instructions for your particular model explicitly allow it. Vinegar can leave an odor or taste, and using an unapproved cleaner may affect the brewer or its warranty.

Step-by-Step

Switch off and unplug. Turn the brewer off, unplug it, and let it cool before handling parts near the hot-water outlet. Never immerse the machine or its power cord in water.
Remove loose parts. Take off the water reservoir, lid, drip tray, and drip-tray plate if your model allows. Remove any used pod, and empty the pod holder as directed in the manual. Some models have a removable funnel or needle-cleaning tool; do not force parts out.
Wash the removable pieces. Wash the reservoir, lid, drip tray, and other washable pieces with warm water and mild dish soap. Rinse thoroughly so no soap remains. Check the manual before putting any part in a dishwasher; many parts should be hand-washed.
Clean the pod holder area carefully. If the holder is designed to come out, remove it as the manual shows and rinse away loose grounds. The entrance and exit needles can be sharp. Clean them only using the brewer’s specified tool or procedure, with the machine unplugged; do not put fingers or an improvised object into the needles.
Wipe the brewer. Use a damp, soft cloth on the outside, the area where the reservoir sits, and the top around the pod holder. Keep water away from electrical openings and do not pour water into the machine. Wipe the parts dry before reinstalling them.
Reassemble and fill with descaler. Reattach the clean reservoir and other removable pieces. Prepare and add descaling solution exactly as its label and the brewer manual specify. Do not guess the amount or mix cleaners together.
Run the descaling cycle. Put a large container beneath the outlet, remove any pod, and start the model’s descaling process. Follow prompts and pauses on the brewer, and empty the container as needed. If your machine has a dedicated descale mode, use that rather than substituting an ordinary brew cycle.
Rinse the water path. When the solution cycle is complete, empty and rinse the reservoir thoroughly. Refill it with fresh water and run the number of water-only rinse cycles specified in the manual. Continue until the brewer’s instructions say rinsing is complete; never brew a pod during these cycles.
Finish and check. Reinstall the reservoir, fill it with fresh water, and check for leaks or an error message. Discard the first drink after cleaning if the manual recommends it, or if any cleaner taste remains. Leave the brewer unplugged and dry if you are storing it.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong cleaner: Don’t assume every model can be descaled with vinegar or a generic product. Use only a solution approved by the manual, and never mix descaler with bleach, soap, or another cleaning chemical.
Skipping the rinse: Residual descaler can affect the taste of coffee. Rinse the reservoir and complete the required water-only cycles rather than stopping as soon as the solution has run through.
Submerging the machine: Clean removable parts separately. Wipe the brewer’s body instead of rinsing or immersing it.
Scraping the needles: Needles can be sharp and can be damaged by pins or other metal objects. Use only the cleaning tool and directions provided for your model.
Forcing a cycle: A descale indicator may not clear until the full programmed process is completed. Follow the prompts; don’t repeatedly interrupt or restart a cycle without checking the manual.

Tips

Wipe spills and rinse the drip tray regularly, rather than waiting for a full cleaning. This helps prevent sticky residue and old coffee from building up.
Wash the reservoir routinely, especially if water sits in it for several days. Empty it before cleaning and let it dry before refilling.
Descale when the brewer’s indicator appears or when the manual’s schedule calls for it. How often it is needed depends on use and the mineral content of your water.
If your brewer has a charcoal water filter, check its manual for how to remove, replace, or prepare the filter. Do not run descaler through a filter unless the instructions specifically say to.
Keep the manual or model number handy. Two Keurig brewers can have different descaling steps even if their controls look alike.

Troubleshooting

The brewer will not start descaling: Confirm it is plugged in, switched on, and in the required setup state. Check whether the reservoir is seated and filled as instructed, and make sure the pod holder is empty. Consult the manual for the exact button sequence and any prerequisites.

The descale light stays on: The cycle may not have finished, or the machine may still need its rinse cycles. Follow the display or indicator prompts to completion. If the light remains after the full process, unplug the brewer briefly only if the manual permits, then check the model-specific troubleshooting guidance.

Water flows slowly or not at all: Stop the cycle if the machine makes an unusual noise or displays an error. Verify that the reservoir is properly seated and that its valve is not blocked by debris. Clean the pod holder only as directed. Persistent blockage may require Keurig support or service; don’t pry into the internal water path.

Coffee tastes like cleaner: Empty and rinse the reservoir, then run additional water-only cycles. Don’t make coffee until the odor or taste has cleared. If it persists, verify that the cleaner was approved for your model and contact support for guidance.

There is a leak: Turn off and unplug the brewer. Check that the reservoir and drip tray are correctly seated and not cracked. Stop using the machine if leakage continues, especially near electrical parts, and consult the manual or manufacturer support.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean a Keurig?

Wash removable parts and wipe spills regularly. Descale when the machine’s indicator or model manual calls for it; timing varies with water mineral content and how often you brew.

Can I use vinegar to descale my Keurig?

Only if the instructions for your exact model say vinegar is acceptable. Otherwise, use the specified descaling solution to avoid lingering taste or possible problems with the brewer.

Can the water reservoir go in the dishwasher?

Do not assume it is dishwasher-safe. Check the manual for your model; if it does not specifically approve dishwasher cleaning, wash the reservoir by hand with mild soap and rinse well.

Should I leave water in the reservoir?

For ordinary use, follow the manual’s guidance. If the brewer will sit unused for an extended period or be stored, empty and dry the reservoir as directed.

Why does my Keurig still taste odd after cleaning?

Run more fresh-water rinse cycles and wash the removable parts again. If the taste remains, stop brewing and check the manual or contact manufacturer support before trying another cleaner.

Further reading: Keurig Support. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.