How to Clean and Descale a Keurig Coffee Maker

If your Keurig is brewing slowly, making weak coffee, or flashing a descale light, it's time for a cleaning. Mineral scale from water builds up inside, and coffee oils collect in the pod holder and needle. Here's how to clean a Keurig inside and out, including descaling and the entrance needle most people forget.

Quick answer: Wash the reservoir, lid, drip tray and pod holder in warm soapy water weekly. Every 3–6 months, descale: fill the reservoir with descaling solution (or white vinegar) and water, run cleansing brews without a pod until the reservoir is empty, let it sit, then run at least 12 brews of fresh water to rinse.

How Often to Clean

Task	How often
Wipe exterior, empty drip tray	Daily or as needed
Wash reservoir, lid, drip tray, pod holder	Weekly
Clean entrance and exit needles	Monthly or when brewing is slow
Descale	Every 3–6 months, or when the descale light comes on

Part 1: Weekly Clean

1. Turn off and unplug the brewer.
2. Remove the water reservoir and lid, drip tray, and pod holder assembly.
3. Wash them in warm water with mild dish soap. Many models allow top-rack dishwashing for some parts; check your manual.
4. Wipe the inside of the brew head area with a damp cloth.
5. Rinse everything well, dry, and reassemble.

Part 2: Clean the Needles

Coffee grounds can clog the needle that punctures the pod. With the brewer unplugged, open the brew head and gently insert a straightened paper clip into the needle hole to loosen grounds. Many Keurig models come with a needle maintenance tool you can use instead. Clean the exit needle under the pod holder the same way. Run a water-only brew afterward.

Part 3: How to Descale a Keurig

1. Empty the reservoir and remove any pod. If your model has a water filter, remove it.
2. Fill the reservoir with Keurig descaling solution and water as the label directs. Keurig recommends its own descaling solution; many owners use undiluted or diluted white vinegar instead, so check your manual first.
3. Place a large mug on the drip tray and run a cleansing brew (no pod) at the largest cup size. Discard the liquid.
4. Repeat until the "add water" light comes on.
5. Let the brewer sit, powered on, for about 30 minutes.
6. Rinse the reservoir thoroughly, fill with fresh water, and run at least 12 rinse brews to remove all descaling solution or vinegar taste.

Got a drip coffee maker too? See How to Descale a Coffee Maker with Vinegar. Nespresso owner? Read How to Clean and Descale a Nespresso Machine.

Tips to Keep Your Keurig Running Well

• Use filtered or bottled water to reduce scale (not distilled, which some sensors don't detect).
• Empty the reservoir if you won't use the brewer for a few days.
• Leave the lid open after cleaning so parts dry and don't get musty.

Troubleshooting

• Only half a cup brews: clean the needles and descale.
• Coffee tastes like vinegar: run more fresh-water rinse brews.
• Descale light stays on: some models need a full descale cycle or a specific button sequence; see the manual.

FAQ

Can I use vinegar to descale a Keurig?

Many people do, but check your model's manual. Rinse very well afterward.

Why is my Keurig slow?

Usually scale buildup or a clogged needle. Clean both.