How to Prevent Scale in a Coffee Pot

If you enjoy a good cup of coffee, your coffee maker may be one of your favorite kitchen appliances. Even if you wash your coffee pot regularly, you could find a white, scaly buildup on the pot and coffee maker over a period of time. This residue is a result of minerals in hard water leaving what is known as hard water scale or limescale on your coffee pot. You can prevent this type of accumulation if you periodically clean your coffee pot and maker with a common household item.

Things You'll Need

• White vinegar

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Soak your coffee pot in a basin or sink filled with equal parts water and white vinegar at least once a week. Let the pot soak for 30 to 45 minutes.

   • 2

     Wash the coffee pot with liquid dish soap and water, as you normally would.

   • 3

     Pour white vinegar into the reservoir on your coffee maker and run it through the coffee cycle two to three times. Flush the coffee maker with water several times before making coffee. The combination of using vinegar on the pot and in the maker itself regularly will prevent the buildup of scale.