How do you descale a Keurig coffee maker? Empty the water reservoir, pour in a full bottle of Keurig descaling solution plus the same bottle filled with water, run brew cycles into a large mug until the reservoir is empty, then rinse the reservoir and run fresh water through until the brewer is clear of solution. Keurig recommends descaling every 3 to 6 months, or when your brewer’s descale light comes on.
The exact buttons differ by model, so check your brewer’s use and care guide. The steps below cover most current Keurig machines, followed by how to clean the rest of the brewer.
Why you need to descale a Keurig
Tap water contains calcium and magnesium. As the brewer heats water, these minerals build up as scale inside the heating tank and lines. Keurig notes that scale is not toxic, but it can hinder performance. Signs of scale include:
- Slower brewing or smaller cups than the size you chose
- Coffee that tastes weaker or less hot
- Louder, sputtering brewing
- The descale light turning on, on models that have one
What you need
- Keurig descaling solution, or another descaler made for coffee makers
- Fresh water
- A large ceramic mug (not a paper cup)
- Access to a sink
- About 20–45 minutes, depending on your model
Remove any pod from the pod holder and take out the water filter, if your reservoir has one, before you start.
How do you descale a Keurig coffee maker? Step by step
Step 1: Prepare the brewer
- Empty the water reservoir.
- Pour in the entire bottle of descaling solution.
- Refill the empty bottle with fresh water and add that to the reservoir too.
- Place a large ceramic mug on the drip tray.
Step 2: Run the descaling solution through
- Models with a descale mode (such as many K-Supreme models): with the brewer powered off, press and hold the button combination listed in your manual for about 3 seconds to enter descale mode. On K-Supreme brewers, Keurig’s guide lists holding the 8 oz and 12 oz buttons together.
- Models without a descale mode: simply brew using the largest cup size, without a pod.
- Pour each mug of hot liquid into the sink.
- Repeat until the reservoir is empty or the “Add Water” light comes on.
Older models often recommend letting the brewer sit for about 30 minutes with the power on partway through, which gives the solution time to work. Follow your model’s guide.
Step 3: Rinse with fresh water
- Remove the reservoir, rinse it well, and refill it with fresh water to the max line.
- Run brew cycles into the mug, pouring each one into the sink.
- Continue until the descale light turns off, or for at least 12 rinse brews on older models without a light.
- If you can still smell or taste descaler, run another full reservoir of water.
Replace the water filter (or install a new one) when you finish.
Can you descale a Keurig with vinegar?
Many people use white vinegar, and it can remove scale. However, Keurig’s guides recommend its own descaling solution. Vinegar can leave a lingering smell and taste and usually needs extra rinse cycles. If you use it anyway, use a 1:1 mix of white vinegar and water, follow the same steps, and rinse with at least two full reservoirs of fresh water. Check your warranty terms first.
Citric acid descalers made for coffee makers are another option and rinse out more easily than vinegar.
How to clean a Keurig coffee machine
Descaling handles the inside of the water system. Regular cleaning keeps the parts you can see and touch fresh.
Clean the entrance needle
- Unplug the brewer and lift the handle.
- Locate the needle holes on the underside of the lid, where the needle pierces the pod.
- Gently clear each hole with a straightened paper clip.
- Close the handle, plug in, and run two water-only brews.
Clean the exit needle and pod holder
- Remove the pod holder assembly.
- Detach the funnel from the holder.
- Clear the exit needle inside the bottom of the holder with a paper clip.
- Wash the holder and funnel in warm, soapy water or on the top rack of the dishwasher if your guide allows.
Clean the drip tray and reservoir
- Empty and rinse the drip tray regularly, and wash it with soapy water weekly.
- Wipe the inside of the reservoir and lid with a damp, non-abrasive cloth. Let it air dry.
- Do not put the reservoir in the dishwasher unless your model’s guide says it is safe.
- Wipe the outside of the brewer with a damp cloth.
Run cleaning pods
Keurig sells rinse pods that you brew like a normal pod. They help clear coffee oils and flavor carry-over, for example after flavored coffees or hot chocolate.
Keurig cleaning schedule
| Task | How often |
|---|---|
| Empty drip tray | Daily or as needed |
| Change water in reservoir | Daily if used often |
| Wash drip tray and pod holder | Weekly |
| Clean needles | Monthly, or when brews are slow or pods do not pierce |
| Wipe reservoir | Weekly |
| Replace water filter | About every 2 months |
| Descale | Every 3–6 months, or when the light comes on |
Troubleshooting after descaling
- Descale light stays on: run more fresh water rinses. Some models need a full reservoir before the light resets.
- Brewer will not fill: Keurig suggests unplugging, discarding the solution, rinsing and refilling the reservoir, then trying again. If it continues, leave it unplugged for 30 minutes.
- Coffee still tastes off: clean the needles and pod holder, and run a rinse pod.
- Short cups: clear the entrance and exit needles, which often clog with coffee grounds.
Tips to keep your Keurig running well
- Use filtered or bottled spring water to slow scale buildup.
- Do not leave water sitting in the reservoir for days.
- Turn the brewer off or use auto-off when not in use.
- Descale more often if you have very hard water.
- Leave the lid open briefly after brewing so the pod area can dry, which helps prevent mold and stale smells.
- Keep a spare water filter cartridge on hand so you can swap it on schedule.
The same descaling principles apply to espresso machines, with a few differences. See our guide on how to descale an espresso machine. If you are thinking about stepping up from pods, our guides to coffee brewing methods and how much coffee to use per cup are a good start. For better-tasting coffee overall, try freshly roasted beans from our best coffee beans list in a reusable pod.
FAQ
How often should you descale a Keurig?
Keurig recommends every 3 to 6 months, or when your brewer’s descale light comes on. Hard water may need more frequent descaling.
How long does it take to descale a Keurig?
About 20–45 minutes, depending on the model and whether it needs a resting period.
Why is my Keurig still saying descale?
The brewer may need more fresh water rinses to reset the light, or the descaling cycle may not have finished. Follow the model-specific steps in your guide.
Can I use a Keurig right after descaling?
Yes, once you have rinsed thoroughly and cannot taste or smell any descaler.
What happens if you never descale a Keurig?
Scale builds up, causing slower brews, smaller cups, weaker coffee, and eventually brewing errors or failure.