How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Bleach? Clean with 8 Steps!

Everything which is used needs to be cleaned whether it is a machine or anything, even a human being needs cleaning on a daily basis.

Click the rewind button in your mind and remember when was the last time you cleaned your coffee machine. If not for a long time then there is an urgent need to clean it.

Why do Coffee Makers Need to be Cleaned?

A coffee machine is something which is used often on a daily basis. Descaling of coffee makers is important because of the build-up being made up by chemicals like calcium carbonate that is found in hard water and coffee residues left after brewing coffee.

Due to this warm and wet environment, there are high chances that bacteria and fungus may grow which will directly impact your health. If not, the coffee may taste bitter or sour and I don’t think you want to spoil your mouth taste.

Materials you Need

1 tablespoon of bleach powder
1 gallon of water to mix with bleach powder
4 gallons of fresh water to clean the machine

How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Bleach?

When it comes to cleaning a coffee machine, the first question which strikes your mind is how to clean a coffee maker with bleach. Following these steps, you can easily clean your machine without any hassle.

Step 1: Mix Bleach With 1 Gallon Water

Mix one tablespoon of bleach in 1 gallon of water, note that the formula you are using is correct and never put the powder directly into the machine. You don’t need to add more bleach than mentioned.

Step 2: Pour Mixture into Machine & Run the Complete Brew Cycle

Pour the mixture into the machine such that the mixture fills the coffee maker and lets it run through it.

Step 3: Turn Off & Through Out Bleach from Carafe

As soon as the mixture fills the coffee pot immediately turn off the machine to save the heating plate to come in contact with bleach.

Step 4: Repeat the Process to Finish Bleach Mixture

Repeat the process until the entire gallon of the mixture is not used up. The number of runs it will take will completely depend upon the model and type of coffee maker you are using.

Don’t leave the machine unattended while the bleach mixture or cleaning process is going on.

Step 5: Pour Fresh Water & Complete Brew Cycle

After the bleach mixture cleaning is done next is to pour fresh water into the machine.

It depends upon you, if you are using normal water then you have to wait to warm it in the machine itself and if you are using warm water then the time spent in warming it will be saved.

Step 6: Repeat Process (If Required)

Repeat the process again and again until you have used at least 5 gallons of water. Using this much water will ensure proper cleaning and free from any bleach residue.

Step 7: Check Coffee Maker has Cleaned or Not

Smell the final batch of water whether there is still any smell of bleach in it or not. If yes then again run one batch of water and if not then follow the next step.

Step 8: Air Dry

Let the coffee maker air dry or left upside down on the countertop for a minimum of 1 to 6 hours.

Read more way to clean coffee maker.

Precautions to be Taken While Using Bleach to Clean a Coffee Maker

As bleach is a chemical compound that is harsh and can be harmful to your health so if any residue left can become dangerous for you. Follow certain precautions while using bleach in your coffee machine.

Always make sure that the mixture of bleach and water is completely washed away from the machine otherwise next time you brew it will mix up in your coffee.

As inside of the coffee maker cannot be dried completely and residue of bleach might be left inside it so you can use some hot air dryer to dry it from inside.
As bleach is a chemical compound and can irritate the eyes and nose so it is advised to sit in an open room or open-air while using bleach