Coffee makers tend to build up hard water minerals inside the water reservoir.
The processes covered in this article will cover how to clean a coffee maker correctly.
The only way to remove these minerals is by using an acidic liquid like white vinegar or Calcium Lime Rust Remover. To clean these minerals out of the water reservoir put half a pot of white vinegar or CLR mixed with half a pot of clean water into the water reservoir.
Some coffee makers will suggest using a liner in the filter area, it is not necessary as it may leave coffee stains. Let the mixture sit in the reservoir for fifteen minutes. This helps to loosen up the hard water minerals from the reservoir.
Now is the time to turn the coffee maker on. It is a good idea to visit another room while the pot does it work. Vinegar, when heated, can smell really strong. When the pot finishes brewing the water it can safely be dumped down the drain. Heated vinegar works the same way for sinks as it will in a coffee maker.
Turn the coffee maker back off at this time. If a filter was used it will need to be discarded as well. The coffee maker will need to cool down for a short period of time before proceeding with the cleaning.
When it has cooled the pot should be washed with regular dish soap and then rinsed. If the coffee maker has a basket type filter holder, it will need rinsed as well. Fill the reservoir of the coffee maker back up with cold water and let it brew.
This process will need to be done three times to make sure all of the vinegar has been rinsed out. Make sure to allow the coffee maker time to cool between each time. Smell the reservoir of the coffee maker when the last rinse has been completed. The coffee maker should have no hint of vinegar left behind.
This entire cleaning process should be done once a month to keep a coffee maker brewing delicious coffee continuously.