Most people today will agree that coffee is a sort of lifeblood. It is what gets most of us awake enough to start the day, and is what keeps most of us awake throughout the day, especially during the afternoon. Coffee makers are perfect for people who don’t have time to make a cup of joe on their own. Let’s take a look at how to clean a coffee maker with bleach to ensure the process is quick and easy for you.

Why Use Bleach?

While bleach can seem quite scary to some people, it really is not that dangerous – if you know how to use it correctly. People often confuse bleach with other cleaning supplies, when in reality it is a disinfectant.

When it is used correctly, which means diluting it with water before use, chlorine bleach is safe for disinfecting household appliances and surfaces, including your coffee maker. Bleach targets and kills harmful bacteria and sanitizes clothes in your laundry – just be careful not to use too much or your clothes will end up coming out lighter than when you put them in.

In order to disinfect and clean a surface/appliance, you will first need to wash it with soap to remove any debris and dirt, let it dry, and once it is dry, treat it with some diluted bleach. The diluted solution should consist of around 1 ½ cups of bleach for every gallon of water, as bleach is incredibly acidic.

When you are using bleach, you should keep your surrounding area as ventilated as possible by opening windows and turning fans on, as well as wear gloves to avoid chemical burns.

Cleaning Your Coffee Maker With Bleach

Washing your coffee machine is important, and keeping your machine clean can spell the difference between a great cup of coffee and a horrible one. It is crucial to clean your coffee maker thoroughly and efficiently while still remaining health-conscious.

As we mentioned before, you will first need to clean your coffee maker with some soap and water before you use bleach. You do not need to run the water through the machine’s inner tubes, but a simple wipe down of the more accessible parts will be sufficient.

Use a cup of bleach and three to four cups of water and mix the two. Then take some filter paper and place it inside of the coffee machine.

Pour the bleach and water mixture into the coffee maker and continue to add more water. Turn the machine on, and unplug it after a couple of minutes.

Rinse the inside of your coffee machine several times with regular water to ensure that no bleach is left over. The last thing you want is a cleaning chemical in your morning coffee.

Using bleach to clean your coffee maker is quite an inexpensive method, and can save you some money. It is necessary to clean your coffee machine in order to prevent the buildup of bacteria and germs that thrive in a warm, damp environment, such as that inside a coffee maker.

How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Bleach

Alternatives to Bleach

While bleach is arguably the most effective way to clean mold from your coffee machine, it can be tricky to use and even dangerous if used incorrectly or without taking the right safety precautions. Here are some alternatives:

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is a great alternative to bleach as it is also very acidic. It is usually preferable over things like vinegar, as it usually does not leave as much of an odour.

Using lemon juice to clean your coffee machine is the same as using many other substances- simply fill the water container with one third lemon juice and the rest water, then run a brewing cycle. We recommend that you also run another brewing cycle after using the lemon juice, but this time only with water, to ensure that there is no excess juice polluting your future brews.

Baking Soda

Another natural and effective way to clean your coffee machine of mold is with baking soda, with one of the most appealing things about using it is that baking soda is effective and neutralizing odours. We suggest that you add one quarter cup of baking soda to the water container, then run the machine through a brewing cycle.

Ensure that you have mixed the water and baking soda together before running the machine, as it could become clogged if the solution is still clumpy. Again, once the solution has finished running through the machine, start another brewing cycle with water only to make sure that there is no residue.

Tips For Using A Coffee Maker

There are a few things you can do to ensure that you are getting the best possible cup of coffee from your coffee maker every time you use it. The first, and perhaps most important, is to use a medium grind.

Coffee machines work best when used with a medium grind. The ideal grind setting varies slightly from each machine, so find the best one that works for you.

You should also always brew a full pot, regardless of how many cups of coffee you plan on pouring. The brew basket and water reservoir are specifically designed to accommodate the maximum machine capacity, and the machine does not work as well when less coffee is brewed.

Clean your coffee pot! As we’ve mentioned earlier, cleaning your coffee machine is vital to maintaining your health, and a great-tasting brew of coffee.

Final Thoughts

So, cleaning your coffee machine with bleach is actually not as daunting as it sounds, but is still crucial. Follow the steps above, and you’ll be brewing coffee as the pros do.