The coffee maker is essential kitchen equipment on a daily basis. It allows you to enjoy your cup of coffee at the right temperature. However, after several uses, the water leaves traces of lime on the walls of the device. Descaling is necessary for many reasons.
Interest in descaling
If you want your appliance to work as long as possible, the only way to extend its life is to start descaling. When the machine starts, lime in tap water settles in its various components in contact with it as well as on its walls. This affects its proper functioning and gradually limits its life expectancy.
Even worse, the presence of this layer also has an impact on the taste of the drink. It spoils the pleasant smell of coffee. In addition, it can also clog the machine and disrupt the flow.
When to take action?
When you notice lime debris in the tank, it indicates that it is time to descale. The dirt is already too much. Then you will notice that the coffee flow is slowing down. In this sense, the device is blocked because of the amount of tartar. To avoid all these inconveniences, getting rid of them as quickly as possible may seem the ultimate solution.
Generally, this operation takes place once or twice a year. On the other hand, if you use your coffee maker intensively or if you live in an area where the water contains much more lime, maintain it as often as possible.
White vinegar, non-toxic option
This substance is the best ally of any home to maintain multiple household appliances. It is not only used to descale coffee makers. It also simplifies the task of all mothers or fathers wishing to maintain various kitchen utensils in good condition.
This “magic” product also rids taps of these unwanted stains that are unattractive to the eye. If you want to make your dishes shine more, do not hesitate to use them by adding them to the water when rinsing.
As for the coffee maker, pour it into the tank. Then turn on your device and run the vinegar as if you are making your coffee. This substance acts on the bottom by attacking the scale encrusted in the container. Do not stop it until you have emptied the jug. This done, fill the latter with clear water, and rinse vigorously without damaging the material of course.
Baking soda, cheap anti-limescale
Its first advantage is its very affordable cost. Compared with the previous solution, baking soda also leaves no unpleasant odor on the coffee. This is not all, it considerably reduces the level of limestone in the water.
To use it properly, you mix a little powder in half a liter of cold water. You pour this solution in the tank then you activate the device. As soon as it has drained the entire liquid, you put clear water in the container to rinse well.
When the deposits resist, you repeat this operation until they disappear once and for all. Once these steps are finished, all you have to do is enjoy your machine, which will be like new.
Lemon juice, natural remedy
Lemon juice is not only used to descale the coffee maker. It is a miracle preparation for cleaning the house including tiles, bathroom materials, and much more.
In order to remove the encrustation in your coffee maker, you mix the juice in half a liter of water. You then pour this composition into the device and turn it on. After a few minutes, you remove the liquid and then rinse the equipment repeatedly.
In the event that this action cannot completely remove the yellowish layers, you start again from A to Z. The lemony taste tends to remain in the container. Don’t worry, the heat makes the smell go away quickly, once the machine is running.
Citric acid and soda, classic but effective solutions
To avoid resorting to chemicals, the use of citric acid is an interesting alternative. It is a natural organic plant component. It comes from the fermentation of sweet solutions. You find it in almost all fruits, namely lemon, orange, or raspberry.
If citric acid is mainly used as a food additive, it also plays the role of a powerful cleaner without toxic products. In order to use it properly, prepare a mixture of 1 to 2 tablespoons of powder in 1 l of water. Put everything in your coffee maker and leave to act for a maximum of half an hour. This done, rinse thoroughly.
Apart from this solution, soda is also a better universal descaler, thanks to its components that remove lime. You pour a large amount into the device and then let it work. Just like the other tips, run the coffee maker under water to finish.
Prevention tips
Regular maintenance is an interesting solution to avoid the formation of limescale. If you have a good quality coffee maker, it will considerably reduce the cleaning stage. It must be admitted that the search for this kind of device takes a long time. To help you quickly find the ideal model, find a selection of the best products here.
To prevent the return of tartar, it is advisable to use filtered or mineral water for your hot drinks. This liquid turns out to be less calcareous than tap water. Nothing prevents you from using bottled spring water.
Many homes also use a water softener to fight limescale. Just install it on the water system. Indeed, this equipment is a bit expensive. Nevertheless, it helps you to solve the problems of tartar and optimizes the hygiene of tap water.
When you are no longer using your coffee maker, remember to empty the water from the tank. Otherwise, limestone may become encrusted on the walls. Do not forget to remove all parts of the device so as not to damage it due to humidity.
