The water reservoir is easy to ignore because it looks like it only holds clean water. But over time, it can collect minerals, stale water residue, and buildup that affects how your coffee tastes.
If your reservoir is removable, take it off the machine and empty it. Wash it with warm water and mild dish soap, then rinse it well. Use a soft cloth or sponge. Avoid abrasive pads that can scratch plastic.
If the reservoir is not removable, empty any standing water and wipe the inside as well as you can with a clean cloth. Then use a cleaning cycle to reach the internal water path.
For mineral buildup, fill the reservoir with clean water and add one coffee maker cleaner tablet. Let it dissolve fully. Run a brew cycle or clean cycle without coffee grounds so the solution moves through the machine.
After the cleaning cycle, rinse the reservoir and run at least one full cycle with plain water. If the machine still smells like cleaner or anything seems cloudy, run another rinse cycle.
Pay attention to corners, water lines, and the bottom of the reservoir. These spots can collect residue even when the rest of the machine looks fine.
A dirty reservoir can lead to stale-tasting coffee, cloudy water, slower brewing, and mineral scale. If you have hard water, the buildup can show up faster.
For daily use, clean the removable parts weekly and run a full cleaning cycle about once a month. If you only use the machine occasionally, empty the reservoir after use so water does not sit in it for days.
For the broader product path, see our coffee maker cleaners, or read why coffee makers need cleaning and descaling.
