Coffee maker

Wash the carafe, lid and basket after every use, either by hand or on the top rack of a dishwasher. To remove coffee film from inside the carafe, mix two or three tablespoons of baking soda with hot water, and allow the solution to work overnight. Wipe the interior with a soft cloth and rinse. Avoid using abrasive pads, which may scratch the glass. Scratched glass that’s heated to a high temperature regularly is more likely to crack or shatter.

Unplug the coffee maker and be sure all components are cool before cleaning. Glass cleaner or all-purpose household cleaner applied with a damp, soft cloth works well on the exterior; wipe dry. Avoid abrasive pads or cleaners. These will scratch the plastic, making future cleanings more difficult.

Coffee particles and oils have a way of building up on the drip head and becoming rancid over time. Wipe off the drip head, located above the coffee basket, with the same type of cleaner used on the exterior. Be sure to wipe it thoroughly with a cloth moistened in fresh water.

Periodically brew a pot of water and vinegar solution through the machine to remove mineral-scale buildup inside. Follow up by brewing one or two full pots of plain water, and then clean the basket, lid and carafe in warm soap and water. If you’ve never done this before or if it’s been quite a while, you might want to use undiluted vinegar. Otherwise, a 1:1 or 2:1 water-and-vinegar solution will probably do the job well.