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Typically, you might think that your coffee pot is clean after each use when you rinse it with water. But coffee stains and hard mineral stains from the water you use usually remain in the pot after several uses.
So, besides regular cleaning with water after each use, you will also have to deep clean your coffee pot with vinegar and baking soda a few times every month.
Leslie Reichert (the cleaning coach) takes the simple task of how to clean a coffee pot with vinegar one step further. The cleaning process presented by Leslie is very easy to follow and will help remove all the stains from your coffee pot.
The best part? You’ll only need distilled white vinegar and baking soda to clean your coffee pot.
Let’s get started.
What You Will Need
- Distilled white vinegar
- Baking soda
- Running water
- Tablespoon
- Cleaning sponge
- Dish brush
How to Clean a Coffee Pot With Vinegar: Step by Step Instructions
After several brews in the coffee maker, the coffee pot gets grimy with hard-to-remove stains. The following steps will help you master how to clean a coffee pot with vinegar to get rid of hard water mineral stains and coffee stains.
Step 1: Rinse Your Coffee Pot
Start by rinsing your jar using running water. This will help get rid of the normal residue of the brew. This step will also make it easier for the vinegar and baking soda solution to remove stains. You can use liquid soap for a more effective regular cleaning.
Step 2: Prepare Your Cleaning Solution
You can prepare this solution in a separate container or you can simply use the jar. Pour two tablespoons of baking soda into the jar. Use big heaping tablespoons if your coffee pot hasn’t been deep cleaned for a long time. Then add one cup of white vinegar into the jar. The white vinegar and the baking soda will work together to dislodge all the minerals out of your coffee pot.
Step 3: Use a Kitchen Sponge to Scrub the Inside
Soak a kitchen sponge into the solution of white vinegar and baking soda. Then use the sponge to scrub the inside of the jar (use circular motions). This step will help remove all the stubborn stains from the sides of your jar. You don’t need to use any toxic or harsh solutions to get the stains out. The vinegar and baking powder solution is gentle but very effective for the job.
Make sure you scrub the exterior parts. You can use either a cleaning sponge or a brush for this step. Soak the sponge or brush into the solution of white vinegar and baking soda, and use it to gently scrub the opening and the lid of the jar. Make sure you don’t forget the exterior sides of the pot.
Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly With Water
When you are sure that you have successfully removed all the coffee and hard mineral stains from your coffee pot, you can go ahead and rinse it with water, preferably warm water. Use the sponge to help you get rid of the vinegar and baking soda. You can even put the jar in the dishwasher.
Alternative Cleaning Methods
Apart from using white vinegar, you can also use the following methods to clean your coffee pot.
Use a Dishwasher Detergent
This is one of the simplest alternative solutions for cleaning a coffee pot. All you have to do is fill it with a small amount of your dishwasher detergent and boiling water. Let the mixture settle overnight. Use a dish brush to gently scrub and wipe down the bottom and sides. Then rinse with water to get rid of the detergent.
Use Hard Alcohol
Hard alcohol has unique properties that can be very effective for cleaning a coffee pot. One of the best recommendations is vodka. Just add one part of vodka and two parts of water into the jar. Let the solution soak the stains overnight and then use a dish brush to gently scrub the sides, opening, and the lid with the alcohol solution.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent that is very effective for cleaning. The oxidizing property of the solution helps attack hard minerals and coffee stains in your coffee pot. Hydrogen peroxide is glass-friendly, odorless, non-toxic, and color-safe. Just pour one part of hydrogen peroxide and two parts of water into the jar. Leave it for a few hours. Use a dish brush to rub the sides and then clean the jar with fresh water.
Use Ice Water and Table Salt
This is by far the cheapest alternative cleaning method since ice and salt are usually readily available in your kitchen. Add two tablespoons of table salt and crushed ice into the jar. Use a large spoon or a piece of cloth to rub the salt and ice mixture against the sides of the pot. The mixture will help dislodge stubborn stains from the interior of your coffee pot.
FAQs
What Is White Vinegar?
Also referred to as distilled vinegar, white vinegar is a clear, mildly acidic liquid that is usually used in the kitchen for cooking as well as cleaning. It is made up of 90% to 95% water and 5% to 10% percent acetic acid. This product isn’t excessively acidic and not as harsh as bleaching products.
White vinegar is user-friendly and it’s gentle on the glass of your coffee pot. It does a great job of soaking and removing stains left behind by the coffee brew and municipal or well water.
Is It Completely Safe to Use White Vinegar?
Yes, it is completely safe to use white vinegar both for human health and the glass of your pot. Distilled vinegar comes highly recommended for cooking. Its mild acidic composition works effectively to help remove stains from the inside of your coffee pot. But here is the thing, it may be a little bit challenging to rinse off the vinegar taste from the sides of your pot.
How Frequently Should I Clean My Coffee Pot With Vinegar?
It is not easy to get rid of the vinegar taste after cleaning. So, we don’t recommend everyday cleaning. After all, it takes a while for the hard minerals in your tap water and the coffee brew to stain the pot. But you can do regular cleaning with dishwasher detergent and water.
The most ideal vinegar cleaning frequency should be two to four times a month.
Can I Use Abrasive Scouring Pads to Clean Glass Coffee Pots?
No, you cannot because abrasive scouring pads will scratch the glass of your coffee pot. The abrasive nature of the pads will weaken the glass. Also, make sure you use the top rack if you choose to clean your coffee pot in the dishwasher.
Conclusion
You now know how to clean a coffee pot with vinegar. As you have seen, the cleaning process isn’t that challenging. All you need is white vinegar and baking soda for the best results. Just make sure you use the right tools for the job like a cleaning sponge and a dish brush. But avoid scouring pads, especially when dealing with a glass coffee pot because they can easily scratch and weaken the glass. Thanks to Leslie Reichert, the cleaning coach, for making the entire process easy with her step-by-step cleaning instructions.
