Almost 1 in 6 Clean Their Coffee Machines Less than Once
The best part of waking up shouldn’t be discovering mould in your coffee cup. But if you are not cleaning your coffee maker ahead of your next brew there is a chance that you’ll get mould and lurking bacteria in your mug. In fact, your beloved coffee maker could be one of the most germiest items in your home. A 2011 study by the National Sanitation Foundation revealed that warm, moist coffee reservoirs provide the perfect breeding ground for mold and yeast.
Britain’s morning brew might not be as fresh as it looks, as new research reveals that many coffee lovers are brewing up from machines that are dirtier than a toilet seat. A survey of 2,000 Brits by online electricals retailer, AO, found that 1 in 20 people (4%) have never cleaned their coffee machine, despite 6 in 10 admitting they know germs can live inside them.
Whilst over a third (37%) of Brits use their machine every day, regular cleaning doesn’t happen. Almost 1 in 6 (15%) clean their machine less than once a month, leaving plenty of room for bacteria and limescale to build up.
When asked why, coffee drinkers admitted to a range of reasons. Nearly 1 in 4 (23%) didn’t realise machines need cleaning so often. 1 in 5 (18%) think their machine “looks clean enough”. 1 in 6 (16%) simply forget and 1 in 14 (7%) don’t know how to clean it properly.
Experts warn that coffee machines can quickly become breeding grounds for germs and limescale if they’re not properly maintained.
Isabella Forgione, AO’s coffee machine expert, explains that ideally, you should give your coffee machine a quick clean after every use.
1. Little and often: Rinse removable parts and wipe down the drip tray after every use.
2. Weekly deep clean: Run a water-and-vinegar solution through the machine to descale and disinfect, followed by a couple of plain water cycles to rinse.
3. Don’t forget the extras: Clean milk frothers and steam wands after every use.
4. Descale every 3–6 months: Hard water areas may need more frequent descaling to prevent limescale build-up.
The survey also found that the average Brit drinks two coffees a day, with lattes coming out on top as the nation’s favourite coffee style.
For more expert advice on coffee machines and cleaning tips, visit: https://ao.com/small-appliances/coffee-machines.