Most of us could not start our morning without that delicious, routine cup of coffee. Its delicious aroma and energizing taste help boost our spirits and get us up and going for the day. But it is a disturbing thought to think of the germs festering at the bottom of your coffee maker. Every once in a while you need to clean out the coffee maker, and you will not believe the difference afterward. The best way to a better cup of coffee is to have a clean pot.
Here is what you need:
- distilled white vinegar
- warm water
Be sure to read through the directions of your coffee maker as there may be machine-specific instructions for your particular coffee maker. However, distilled vinegar is a normal cleaning product that you can find at any dollar store. It is an inexpensive option that deeply sanitizes and cleans, removing germs and bacteria.
The mixture is 1-part water and 1-part vinegar. If your coffee maker holds eight cups of liquid, then use four cups of water and four cups of vinegar. Use a microwave-safe dish to warm the water, usually under a minute will be enough. Pour the vinegar into the water and mix to evenly distribute the liquids.
Here is what to do:
1. Remove the filter and any coffee grounds. Use a damp paper towel or cloth to wipe our any loose grounds or spills.
2. Pour the mixture of 1-part warm water and 1-part distilled white vinegar into the carafe of the coffee maker. Mix enough of the liquid to fill the carafe.
3. Set the coffee maker to brew and let all the liquid drain through. Then turn it off and wait 30 minutes. Let the cycle run through completely and let it sit for one hour.
4. After the liquid through the machine runs clear, drain the pot and repeat the process with only water.
5. Then rinse and wash out the carafe with soap and warm water. This will remove any lingering vinegar smell or residue.
The nasty statistics behind the germs growing in your coffee pot.
If wanting to be healthier is n0t reason enough to clean your coffee maker, here are some nasty statistics from the NSF International Household Germ Study. The normal household coffee reservoirs were found to contain coliform (salmonella and e. Coli), mold, and yeast. They reported that fifty percent of households had yeast and mold growing in the coffee pot.
It ranked number four on the list of the germiest items found in the home and came in just under the dish sponge, the toothbrush holder, and pet bowls. This data was known to show that many of the tested households did not clean their coffee pot often enough. The warm, moist environment turns into a breeding ground for bacteria. So next time you reach for that soothing cup of coffee, take a few minutes to clean out the pot.
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Source: NSF International Household Germ Study
