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Jul 29, 2023

How Long Can You Use Your Keurig Before It Starts Growing Mold?

Delish editors handpick every product we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page. Our favorite single-serve coffee machine is a hotbed for germs. Keurig transformed the coffee

Delish editors handpick every product we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

Our favorite single-serve coffee machine is a hotbed for germs.

Keurig transformed the coffee industry when they launched their single-serve coffee brewers in 1998. The revolutionary technology was a convenient alternative to the shared pot of burnt coffee in many office break rooms. In 2004, the appliance was consolidated into a counter-sized machine fit for home kitchens.

Cut to today and there are over 25 million Keurig machines used across the United Sates. While models vary, these brewers contain multiple components that make your morning routine more convenient. While parts like the drip tray and the filter discard bin avoid unnecessary spills and messes, the machine is not advanced enough to clean itself. In fact, your Keurig is a hotbed for mold and bacteria.

The constant exposure to moisture makes nearly every piece of your Keurig susceptible to germs, but you can prevent these particles from entering your coffee mug with proper cleaning and maintenance.

I consulted Carolyn Forté, executive director of Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab, to unpack everything you need to know about keeping your Keurig clean. Because each part operates differently, they don't always follow the same cleaning schedule. Thankfully, Forté's recommended Keurig-cleaning routine can be broken up over time for the different parts.

You should clean the removable parts of your single-serve coffee brewer every week. That includes (but isn't limited to) the drip tray, the water reservoir, the lid, and the K-Cup holder.

"Where mold often grows is in the drip tray because water lies in there and people forget to clean it," Forté says.

Mold can also develop inside the machine itself. According to Forté, this is less likely and typically happens when the machine is filled with water and unused for long periods of time.

You can easily clean the removable parts of your Keurig with a sponge and warm, soapy water. Nearly all of the pieces can be dried with a dish towel, but make sure to air dry the inside of your water tank to avoid lint getting into your next cup.

While you're at it, there's another step you can take to make your machine squeaky clean. Keurig offers rinse pods that you can use to clear out any lingering residue and flavors. This is especially useful if you alternate between different types of K-Cups.

After a while, the water filter in your reservoir becomes less effective, which can give your coffee a stale, unpleasant taste. Forté recommends replacing your filter cartridge every other month.

This process is thankfully fairly simple. First you need to remove and discard the old filter. Then, using a sponge and warm, soapy water, clean and dry your filter holder.

Then you're ready to swap in your new filter. All new filters need a bit of prep before using them for the first time. Forté recommends soaking the filters in clean water for five minutes, then rinsing it under the sink for another minute. Then, all you need to do is snap it into the holder and you're ready to go!

The interior of your machine requires maintenance the least often, but it's the most necessary. "What clogs the interior is mostly hard water build-up," says Forté.

Even with filtered water, calcium deposits develop all over the inside of your Keurig. While this doesn't present a serious health concern like mold and bacteria do, this build up can severely impact how effectively the machine operates.

Depending on how many cups of coffee you make on a regular basis, you'll need to descale your machine somewhere around two to four times a year. Keurig sells their own descaling solution online, but Forté says distilled white vinegar works just as well.

The descaling process may vary depending on your model, so refer to the instructions on Keurig's website when your machine is ready for a tune up.

How often do you clean your Keurig? Let us know in the comments!

Gabby Romero is Delish’s editorial assistant, where she writes stories about the latest TikTok trends, develops recipes, and answers any and all of your cooking-related questions. She loves eating spicy food, collecting cookbooks, and adding a mountain of Parmesan to any dish she can.

Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.

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