What could I use for a cleaner to make sure I remove all mold in the coffee maker. I'm not sure if vinegar would remove mold, since I've always thought that the vinegar was for water deposits. I have a Mr Coffee model ISX26. I want to make sure I have killed all the mold in the coffee maker and I'm not sure that vinegar is capable of doing this. The mold was found in the basket that holds the grounds when a used coffee filter was left in it for a long while. The tank that holds the water has always had a funny smell and I have tried to dump all the excess water out after brewing the coffee to drain out standing water left after brewing the coffee. This is a hassle and I hoped it would help, but it hasn't. I have used vinegar before, but the mold in the basket that hold the grounds had never been left for mold to grow in, so I want to be sure I have killed all the mold that could have formed through out the system. Thanks for the help anyone can provide.

Eric, October 2007

I pour about 6oz. of bleach followed by a full pot of water works great.I own a cusinart that is getting clogged bleach works better than vinegar

bob burn, May 2015

In addition to the other suggestions, clean up any visible pink areas inside your water tank or elsewhere with baking soda and an old toothbrush. NEVER throw away an old toothbrush until you've worn it completely out cleaning tight places.

This is also a great way to clean brown stains out of coffee cups/mugs. Scrub scrub -- stains gone!

Bibliobear (who is very glad he listened to his mother), May 2014

I have a cuisinart white coffee pot . Its new. just 2 months old. I looked down the water reservoir and was totally grossed out. There was pink slime in the corners. How do I clean this ? So gross.

Carol, January 2014

I use Bleach and Vinegar.. always have.. Last time, we moved, again.. Closer to family, so my morning routine took me to visit in the mornings and my coffee pot wasn't unpacked. When I got to it, there was coffee left in it and mold like you wouldn't believe. I used a high concentrate of Bleach, Vinegar, and water. Ran it through three times, two with the basket, and the last I scrubbed the basket. Then scrubbed it all down hot, and ran two pots of fresh clean water. Probably the cleanest thing in the house at that moment. But, no smell, no taste, and most importantly, No mold. Think about it, there is bleach in a ton of dish cleaners, so your washing what you drink out of in it. Whats the difference? It wont hurt you.

Deanna, September 2012

i would never suggest continuing to use anything where mold has contaminated the surface and other areas that you may not be able to sterilize, especially to pour liquids into your digestive system. Your health is not worth the risk.

Jim, August 2011

I think Mr. Coffee brand machines are more of a problem than most other brands I've used.

Cheryl R., May 2010

Either bleach or vinegar in strong enough solution will kill most types of molds. You still need to clean the dead mold out of the machine. We just discovered that dreaded mold smell in the coffee maker resovoir this morning. I have been sick for 6 weeks with sinus, stomach, fatigue and recently developed problems with clarity of thought and memory.
I'm willing to spend $30.00 on a new coffee maker today - I've spent more then that on otc sinus meds. We will not be setting the machine up with water and coffee the night before, we'll be leaving the resovoir open to let it dry and I'll be running a bleach solution through it every week or so it keep any growth from taking over.
If someone out there cannot afford a new coffee maker, but suspects mold, Melita makes a Ready, Set, Joe non-electric filter basket type maker for about $3. It a small investment of money and time to feel better.

Linda, January 2010

I used bleach. It seems to have worked but I would still like to scrub out the water reservoir, however being an espresso machine it's difficult to get into, small opening. Any suggestions?

Kristaeh, July 2009

Mold/mildew in the coffee maker here, too...

We have one of the newer type coffee makers that stores the coffee in an on-tap dispenser rather than in a pot... one big self contained, damp, warm & unventilated system.

Long story short, I reached my hand inside the water reservoir just out of curiosity the other day and... well, it was like reaching into the slimy water tank on the back of the toilet.

As for possible health issues - the two coffee drinkers in the house who've been drinking this muck have had chronic sinus & stomach issues as well as fatigue.

allen, May 2009

I got rid of my electric coffee maker and got myself a French press coffee maker. It does not take any more time and I can put all parts in the dishwasher after I am finished. My coffee does not only taste great, but is also free of mold. I did not taste the mold with the coffee maker either, but did feel a little sick after having coffee. I cleaned my coffee maker with vinegar and still found little black flakes when I rinsed the water into a white bowl. I just like to know how big this problem is and how it affects our health.

Monika, March 2009

I have the same problem as Eric, the dregdrawer that holds the ground cofee leftovers gets moldy because it is moist and it happens summer time more than the winter. I am emptying the ground coffee dregdrawer every day I have no other choice. I wash the drawer with some cloroxonce a week. I wish somebody can have an answer of leaving the cofee leftovers in the dregdrawer until it's full instead of emptying every day.

Talo, July 2008

My dad and I just tryed using vinagar And it didn't get rid of the mold and only made it smell worse.

manali reene, June 2008

We tried everything to get rid of the mold in our Mr. Coffe. Nothing worked. It always came back with a vengeance. I think it's been aggregating our allergy problems. We just bought a new coffe maker...different brand.

Sandi, April 2008

PUT ANY REMOVABLE PARTS SUCH AS BASKET,BASKET HOLDER
IN DISHWASHER AND LET IT RUN THROUGH CYCLE. MAKE SURE
THERE ARE NO FOOD PARTICLES LEFT ON DISHES.

OF COURSE THE COFFEE POT CAN BE RUN THROUGH ALSO.
THE TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER AND DETERGENT WILL
REMOVE ANY SPORES OR ODORS.

GRACE GEORGANDIS, March 2008

Yes, vinegar will kill mould. I have a book that tells you how to clean things without chemicals and vinegar is recommended for mould & mildew removal. As a rough guide you need 50ml white vinegar for every litre of water and run that through your machine. Then a couple of cycles of plain water to flush the residue away. If there is still a musty smell try bicarbonate of soda (2 tablespoons in a litre of water) then rinse through again. It is safe to mix the vinegar & bicarbonate of soda together in one cycle if you want to save time.

Liz, October 2007