Keurig Descaling Solution Ingredients (how to descale a Keurig + more information)

One way to make coffee at home is by using a Keurig machine. Read on to learn more about the Keurig descaling solution ingredients!

The Keurig descaling solution ingredients include white vinegar and water or citric acid and water. Nothing beats a freshly brewed cup of coffee in the morning. As a stay-at-home mum, I need to get my caffeine kick early enough before my kids wake up to drain all my energy.  

My husband gifted me a Keurig machine on my birthday; it has been one of the best things for me as a coffee lover. However, I have realized that the Keurig machine needs constant care to work effectively. Therefore, this article will expound more on how to describe a Keurig.

How to descale a keurig

Over time, your Keurig will develop limescale that will affect its performance and the taste of the coffee it brews. You can easily describe your Keurig using a few household ingredients or a cleaning solution.

Step one: preparing your Keurig for descaling

Remove any k-cup from your Keurig. Remove the cup holder and the funnel as well. If you find it hard to remove them, you can leave them in. If you leave them in, they will help guide the cleaning solution into the exit hole, preventing spillage.

Remove the reservoir from the Keurig and pour any remaining water into your kitchen sink. Take the water filter out if there is one inside the reservoir.

Ensure the automatic shut-off setting is switched off. If your Keurig is large, let the cleaning solution sit in it for a while longer. Make sure the brewer is on.

Step two: clean your Keurig using water and vinegar

Fill your Keurig’s water reservoir with distilled white vinegar halfway. Use one part of water to one part of vinegar. Using undiluted white vinegar will damage your Keurig machine on the inside.

Note, do not use apple cider vinegar. If you use it, you will have to use more water to rinse the machine. Instead, use lemon juice. Fill the reservoir with lemon juice to the halfway mark.

Fill the remaining space of your Keurig machine’s reservoir with water. Ensure you do not go above the top fill line. The water will dilute the vinegar, making the former safer for Keurig.

Place a ceramic cup or mug beneath the exit spout. Use a cup with a capacity of not less than 300 milliliters to avoid spills or overflows.

Brew a mug of hot water and dump it on your kitchen sink. The white vinegar will circulate through your Keurig machine and dislodge any limescale build-up.

Continue brewing and dumping the hot water into a sink till the Keurig machine reservoir is almost empty. Most Keurig machines will flash a light or give you an “add water” signal. When using small brewers, turn them off immediately after hot water starts dripping into your ceramic cup or mug.

Allow the residual white vinegar to remain in the machine’s reservoir for approximately 4 hours. When the machine flashes a light or gives you an “add water” signal, stop brewing and let the machine sit for 4 hours. During the 4 hours, the white vinegar will be working inside the machine. Leave the machine on for four hours.

Dump the residual white vinegar into your kitchen sink and rinse it thoroughly. Make sure to flush all the white vinegar out of the reservoir before proceeding to the next step.

Refill the reservoir with clean water. Because there is some white vinegar in your Keurig machine, flush it out with clean water. If you skip this step, the machine will brew bad-tasting coffee.

Brew a cup of hot water until the reservoir is empty. Pour the hot water you brew using the machine into your kitchen sink. The vinegar smell will fade with each cup of hot water you brew using the machine.  

Note you can use citric acid instead of white vinegar.     

How do I know if my Keurig needs descaling?

You know your Keurig machine needs descaling if its performance starts to deteriorate or when the taste of the coffee you brew using the machine is not as good as it was before.

How often should I descale my Keurig machine?

It would be best if you descaled your Keurig every three to six months. Some Keurig machines have a descaling light. When the descale light comes on, it signals that your Keurig needs a descaling.

FAQ Section 

Is descaling the same as cleaning?

No, descaling is not the same as cleaning. Descaling is more thorough.

Does descaling affect the flavor of my coffee?

Yes, it makes your coffee taste better due to removing the lime scales that give it an unpleasant taste.

Can I descale my Keurig with just water?

No, water alone cannot dislodge the stubborn limescale.

What happens if I don’t descale my Keurig?

The coffee you brew with the machine will have an unpleasant taste.