by Victoria Montgomery

Created on: October 20, 2008

Doesn't everyone hate all that coffee crud that sticks to your coffee pot after you have used it awhile? If you are like me, you tell yourself you will clean out that coffee pot today but then you find more important things to do. As a result, the pot looks like someone cooked mud in it or something worse.

Turns out there is a simple way to clean it and it doesn't take a long time. And it will leave your coffee pot sparkling. Here's my time-honored recipie for success at removing the old coffee stains from your pot.

First, you need to assess the damage. Does it need a light cleaning or a full-blown deep scrub? If you're like many procrastinators, it's the deep-cleaning scrub.

Second, you need to assemble the ingredients. This is the simple part. You'll need a sponge or rag, a cleaning spray, vinegar, bleach, and the kitchen sink. Now, as far as type of vinegar, I prefer white but any type will do.

The third step is to fill up your coffee pot almost to the top with water and dump it in the usual place. After that, add about a quarter cup of vinegar, give or take. You don't need to be exact. If your coffee pot is not filthy, that amount will be just fine. If your pot is filthy, as mine often is, then you'll need to do this step twice. This us usually sufficient. After you run the vinegar through, you need to follow it with a couple pots of water, until the vinegar smell is gone.

The next step deals with the outside of your coffee pot. Take your rag or sponge and your sleaner. Some people use soap and water for this step, which is fine if your pot is lightly soiled. If on the other hand, your pot if filthy, then a cleaner works faster. Now, spray the cleaner on your rag or sponge and wipe off the outside of the pot, both the carafe and the base. Don't forget the top and bottom. The reason that I do it this way is because then your cleaner is less likely to go where you don't want it too.

The last step, is to fill your sink halfway with water and pour about a quarter cup of bleach in it. Place the coffee holder into the bleach water and allow it to soak for about 15 minutes. Rinse it thoroughly with hot water. This should leave the coffee holder nice and clean and helps relieve some of that coffee-pot bitterness. Simply reassemble your pot and enjoy. Oh and don't forget the most important rule, always unplug your coffee pot before cleaning.

Enjoy your coffee!

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