Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in our nation and around the world, and it’s probably unsurprising if you think about it!
Fresh coffee grounds have a beautiful aroma and taste to them and when hot water is added to the equation – we have possibly the greatest creation in the world!
But due to its popularity, when we’re making coffee at home, we can often forget to clean all parts of the coffee maker and this can lead to some horrid tasting Joe.
If your coffee has been tasting off recently, it might be due to a lack of a proper cleaning process and your reusable filters are in desperate need of some TLC!
In today’s guide, we’re going to explore the best way for you to clean your reusable coffee filters, giving you better-tasting coffee, along with other handy pieces of advice you might need to know!
So, put on a pot of coffee, avid coffee drinker! Let’s brew up some answers!
Why Should I Clean My Reusable Coffee Filters?
Coffee machines are brilliant at making our favorite drink in the mornings, but without proper cleaning – your coffee filters can make your pot of coffee taste like garbage!
Not to mention, without proper cleaning, your functionality of the machine can be affected too, so it’s always better to do so!
It doesn’t matter if you have a permanent filter or a reusable coffee filter – keeping your coffee filter clean is critical to a great cup of coffee and the longevity of your machine.
Mold spores and a mold buildup are a real problem, and they can potentially make your coffee not only taste bad, but turn it into a cup that can make you sick!
Although most filters are dishwasher safe, it’s always a good idea to clean the filters by hand to ensure that every area is as clean as possible.
What Is A Reusable Filter?
In terms of their makeup, a reusable coffee filter is normally inclusive of a gold mesh, metal and either fabric or plastic.
Cleaning A Metal Filter
Cleaning a metal filter is pretty simple. You can see exactly where the marks and unclean areas are.
Once you’ve taken the filter away from the machine and removed its components, you need to clean the filter with vinegar or a mixture of vinegar and soda.
Another way is to remove all the components and soak them in warm water. Ensure you’ve put in some dish soap too.
Once these components have been soaked for around 5 minutes, use a dish towel to get rid of obvious marks and stains.
Once you have done this, place the wet components onto a dry towel and let them air dry fully.
Before doing so though, make sure that any suds have been fully rinsed off, otherwise you’ll end up with water stains and sud stains which are unsightly and sometimes bad for you when it comes to further use.
Cleaning Paper Filters
Paper filters are a little trickier to clean because they’re easy to tear and very difficult to thoroughly rinse.
This is because paper filters are designed to drip water through them to pass through the coffee grounds, and this is how you end up with a beautiful cup of coffee.
It’s a good idea to purchase a cleaning brush that is not too tough.
Soak your paper filters in warm water and let them sit for a few minutes.
Once you have done this, use either a hose or a tap and turn your filters upside down.
This will get rid of any dry debris of coffee that was still sticking to the filter.
Once you have done this, place some paper towels near your sink and place the filters on top of them, allowing the water to drip down onto the towels.
Eventually, your filters will air dry, and you should have some much cleaner paper filters!
Due to their difficulty, you may need to repeat the process a few times for the best results.
Cleaning Espresso Filters
When you’re dealing with espresso filters, you’re going to find it much more difficult than other filters. They often get clogged up with a lot of dried grounds.
The way to successfully get these filters fully clean is to first use a paper towel to remove any large amounts of debris.
Wrap the paper towel around your index fingers and move the debris away from the filter.
Next, use your kitchen tap to spray out any leftover debris – and now you’re ready to start fully cleaning the filters.
As with the other filters, the best process is warm, soapy water and let them sit for a while.
If however, you have much more stubborn stains – you might need to create a paste with baking soda and use a soft brush to clean the areas fully.
If you have done this and got rid of any noticeable areas of filth, ensure you rinse the filters fully – you don’t want to leave any baking soda on the filters!
Cleaning Coffee Socks
These types of filters need to be cleaned every single time you use them, otherwise you’ll end up very quickly with foul tasting coffee and a very fast build up of mold.
The same cleaning methods of soap and water apply, and you’ll keep them clean with the simple methods if you empty and clean them after every use.
If you fail to do this, you may need to purchase replacements to ensure your safety from bacteria.
Vinegar and soda will not fully clean these types of filters and can potentially remain in them, so best not to gamble with it!
The Bottom Line
Coffee filters are reusable but only if they are cleaned regularly. Depending on your type of filter, you may need to clean them more often.
Always check the manual for your model and read the recommended cleaning schedule.
