How Often Should You Clean Your Coffee Machine? Experts Weigh In

If your coffee suddenly tastes off or your machine feels slower, poor cleaning habits might be the reason. While many people rinse the carafe and assume that is enough, baristas and appliance experts emphasise that proper maintenance is essential for flavour, hygiene, and machine durability.

This article outlines how often you should clean each part of your coffee maker. The schedule is backed by expert advice and provides a structured approach that suits both casual users and serious coffee lovers.

Daily Cleaning Routine

Daily cleaning keeps bacteria, mold, and stale coffee oils from building up. According to Food & Wine, rinsing removable parts each day helps preserve flavor and prevents health risks.

After brewing, rinse and wash the carafe, brew basket, and filter area. Dry them thoroughly. If your machine has a water reservoir, leave the lid open to allow airflow and prevent mold growth. Espresso machine users should wipe down the steam wand and portafilter immediately after use with a clean damp cloth to prevent milk residue from sticking.

Weekly Cleaning Routine

A weekly clean goes beyond basic rinsing. Remove and wash drip trays, brew groups, and grinder chambers. If you use an espresso machine, backflushing is essential. Food & Wine recommends using a cleaning powder such as Cafiza to flush out oils and residue that build up inside the group head.

If your machine has an integrated grinder, brush out leftover grounds and wipe internal parts with a dry cloth. Avoid water unless your manufacturer specifically allows it.

Monthly Maintenance and Descaling

Minerals from tap water form limescale, which clogs internal parts and affects heating efficiency. Descaling removes this buildup and is crucial for keeping your coffee hot and your machine functional. The Spruce explains that using a simple vinegar rinse monthly is enough to dissolve light mineral deposits.

To descale, mix equal parts white vinegar and water or use a commercial product like Urnex Dezcal. Fill the reservoir with the solution, run a brew cycle halfway, then pause for thirty minutes. After that, finish the cycle and run two or three cycles of clean water to flush out remaining residue.

Food & Wine also emphasizes that descaling helps extend the life of your machine and keeps coffee tasting its best. Neglecting this step leads to bitter coffee and slower brew times.

Machine-Specific Care

Different machines require different cleaning methods.

For drip coffee makers, clean the carafe, brew basket, and heating plate every week. Descale monthly to avoid mineral buildup. If you notice coffee smelling burnt, clean the warming plate and water lines.

Espresso machines need more frequent attention. Wipe the steam wand and portafilter every day. Backflush the machine once a week and descale it monthly. For milk frothers, rinse immediately after each use and clean thoroughly at least once a week.

Pod machines like Nespresso require regular cleaning too. Empty the used capsule container, rinse the drip tray weekly, and descale every three months or after around three hundred uses. Follow the brand’s instructions to avoid damaging sensors or seals.

Super-automatic machines with grinders and frothers should follow the manufacturer’s app or maintenance alerts. While these machines often include auto-rinse functions, manual descaling and cleaning are still necessary at least once a month.

Yearly Deep Cleaning and Maintenance

Even with daily and monthly care, your machine benefits from a yearly inspection. High-end espresso machines with dual boilers, PID temperature controls, or rotary pumps may require professional servicing. Whole Latte Love recommends replacing gaskets, checking seals, and performing a full internal cleaning once a year.

If you live in an area with hard water, consider scheduling this deep cleaning more often. Keeping the internal system clear improves brewing pressure and heat consistency and prevents expensive breakdowns.

Cleaning Schedule at a Glance

Every day, clean the brew basket, carafe, and portafilter. Rinse the reservoir and wipe down the steam wand.

Every week, clean the drip tray, grinder, and group head. Backflush espresso machines and remove lingering oils.

Every month, descale the machine using vinegar or a recommended product. Deep clean any milk frothing components and check for residue in water lines.

Every year, perform a professional-level inspection. Replace rubber seals, clean out the interior, and verify that the heating system is functioning correctly.

Why a Structured Plan Makes a Difference

Retailers like Marks Electrical often provide general cleaning tips but do not offer a clear plan. This creates confusion about how often to clean specific parts. With a structured cleaning routine like the one outlined here, you can avoid guesswork and keep your machine in peak condition.

Regular maintenance also prevents mold and bacteria. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), kitchen appliances with residual moisture can easily develop mold if not cleaned regularly. Keeping your machine clean not only improves taste but also protects your health.

Advice from Experts

After cleaning, coffee tastes noticeably smoother and less bitter. According to Bon Appétit, cleaning removes rancid oils and sour residues that taint each brew. They recommend vinegar rinses and warn against abrasive soaps that could scratch delicate parts.

Food & Wine adds that descaling should be part of every serious coffee drinker’s routine. Without it, even the most expensive machines produce inferior results. Meanwhile, The Spruce highlights the value of maintaining not only the visible components but also the internal pathways that handle water and pressure.

These recommendations show that regular cleaning is more than a chore. It is an essential habit that improves every cup you brew.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning your coffee machine is not difficult when you follow a simple plan. Daily rinsing, weekly scrubbing, monthly descaling, and yearly servicing form the foundation of a healthy and efficient coffee routine.

If you’re also in the market for a new brewer, check out our in-depth review where we tested 10 coffee machines to find the best latte maker of 2025.

Coffee will taste better. Machines will last longer. You will avoid health risks and reduce costly repairs.

Now that you know when and how to clean your machine, set a few reminders, choose cleaning supplies that are safe for your appliance, and make maintenance part of your coffee ritual.

Clean machine. Better coffee. Every single time.