Back to the Grind: Clean Your Coffee Maker in 5 Easy Steps
Like coffee a latte? You’re in good company…at your company, most of your co-workers probably do too. According to Office Coffee Service in the U.S.: Market Trends and Opportunities, a report by Packaged Facts, about 86% of full-time employees drink coffee, and 54% make coffee at work in your office coffee maker.
There’s nothing like a good, strong cuppa joe to help employees start the workday pepped up, revved up, and jazzed up to conquer that to-do list. Except when what the office coffee maker is serving up looks more like mud than a macchiato. When that happens, it’s up to you, wise leader. The fate of everyone’s coffee break (and subsequent productivity!) is resting squarely on your shoulders.
So take matters into your own cleaning-gloved hands and follow these easy steps to have your coffee maker brewing like new. With summer vacation officially over and everyone ready to get back to the grind, now’s the perfect time to make sure one of the most-used pieces of office equipment is in proper working order.
image: sanfrancisobaycoffee.com
READY TO ROCK?
It’s no secret that there are more options than ever when it comes to coffee makers. So whether it’s your job to clean an industrial coffee maker, keep the Keurig tidy, or service the standard drip coffee maker, you’ll be glad to know that the basic process doesn’t vary all that much. It’s pretty simple, actually. To get the (cleaning) party started, all you need are a few budget-friendly things:
- Filtered Water
- White Vinegar
- Mild Dish Soap
- Baking Soda
- Lint-free Cloth
- Sponge
The above items are not only common and cost-effective; they’re easy on the environment too. Never clean your coffee maker with chemical cleaning products – you don’t want any nasty toxins mingling with your café mocha.
When it’s time to clean your coffee maker, ordinary white vinegar is your go-to all-star cleaning product. The naturally-occurring acid in vinegar is strong enough to sanitize and remove all the built-up gunk (formally known as decalcification), but gentle enough not to cause any damage. Plus it’s a food-grade product, so it’s a win-win…win.
Baking soda is another food-grade product that makes an excellent addition to your coffee-maker-cleaning arsenal. The grit in this fine powder helps power through any stubborn stains that might be hanging around cramping your carafe’s style.
Now that we’ve covered the finer points of these everyday hero cleaning products let’s move on to the fun part: cleaning!
TIME TO SHINE!
- First, clean the inside components of your machine: Fill the water reservoir with equal parts of filtered water and white vinegar.
- Run the machine on its normal brew setting, using a paper filter in the basket if necessary, and then discard the water-vinegar solution when it’s done. With a Keurig, you’ll need to set a mug on the base, filling and emptying until the reservoir is empty.
- Next, fill the reservoir with filtered water and run a brew cycle, again using a paper filter if necessary. This will rinse and remove the vinegar from your machine. Repeat this step for good measure if you’d like.
- Then, give any removable components – filter basket, carafe, and lid, etc., a good scrub in a sink full of hot, soapy water. Don’t forget to bring on the baking soda to scour away any particularly grimy parts. Dry thoroughly.
- Finally, wipe down the outside of the machine with a damp cloth, removing all dust and any other debris.
Cue the applause – now your coffee maker’s all set to brew the perfect cup!
To keep your machine in top condition, it’s best to utilize the above method and stick to a regular cleaning schedule. At Jidan Cleaning, we know the value of thorough, regular cleaning coupled with a proven process for ongoing success. To learn more about how we can help make your business shine plus receive a free estimate, contact us today.
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