# Cleaning coffee carafe **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 29, 2007, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065 "2007-04-29T17:54:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/1 "2007-04-29T17:54:26Z")
We own a coffee carafe that we have allowed to get very crusty inside. I’ve tried boiling vinegar; I’ve tried multi-ice cubes plus a lot of salt plus a lot of shaking and then brushing; neither approach has worked. Nor has good old fashioned soap and water. I would greatly appreciate suggestions as to how to save this carafe; I really like it. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/2 "2007-04-29T19:05:44Z")
Maybe scrubbing with baking soda paste or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser? It sounds like you need some serious abrasion there. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/3 "2007-04-29T19:10:25Z")
If the glass isn’t etched, which happens over time, you’d probably do well with whatever brand of toilet bowl cleaner works for the water in your area. They’re typically mixtures of hydrochloric, phosphoric, citric, or glycolic acids. A strong solution of citric acid alone works well with the water around here, but I’ve no idea what sort of metal salts you’re dealing with down in Florida. Just squirt the stuff in there, swish it around, and give it 15-20 minutes to work. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/4 "2007-04-29T21:33:43Z")
The only other thing I can suggest is adding rice to a little water and shaking that around inside. I know they use that for cleaning decanters and bottles that are hard to get inside of - worth a try at least. What is the staining by the way - is it hard water residue, or the coffee itself? ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/5 "2007-04-29T21:38:07Z")
Vinegar! Try vinegar. Some people run the vinegar through the coffee machine every so often. It stinks to high heaven, but it does get rid of the build up. At the least, filling the carafe with vinegar and giving it a good long soak should help. I wouldn’t take Squink’s suggestion at all! Toilet bowl cleaner, in a “food” container?! Uh uh! ETA: Nevermind, I missed the boiling vinegar part in the OP. Surely there are preparations similar to Kaboom for food containers out there? ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2007, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/6 "2007-04-29T21:45:07Z")
I did a [search](http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=coffee+carafe+cleaner&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8) and found [two](http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.coffeecleaner.shtml) [pages](http://www.nextag.com/coffee-carafe-cleaner/search-html?nxtg=37f40a240501-ED8F3D7C7B5F49D6) (that look really promising) with “coffe pot/caraffe cleaner”. One is specifically a descaler. Maybe they will work? ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/7 "2007-04-30T00:23:23Z")
[QUOTE=Zabali\_Clawbane] I did a [search](http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=coffee+carafe+cleaner&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8) and found [two](http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.coffeecleaner.shtml) [pages](http://www.nextag.com/coffee-carafe-cleaner/search-html?nxtg=37f40a240501-ED8F3D7C7B5F49D6) (that look really promising) with “coffe pot/caraffe cleaner”. One is specifically a descaler. Maybe they will work? [/QUOTE] These links look promising; thanks. Re the idea about shaking rice in the thing sounds as if it is worth a try; ice cubes and salt didn’t work, maybe rice will. I gotta scratch my head re the toilet bowl cleaner thing. If nothing else works, I might give it a try and give a neighbor I’m not fond of a cup of coffee----that’ll teach him, or me, if he survives. Thanks for the answers. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/8 "2007-04-30T00:31:24Z")
What is this carafe made of? Some are double-walled metal, some are glass inside and some pretty façade outside. Your OP does not address this and it would affect what kind of cleanser would be safe to use. Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![kellner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c2a13f/32.png) [@kellner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellner)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/9 "2007-04-30T00:43:34Z")
According to my antique dealer uncle you should use denture cleansing tablets. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/10 "2007-04-30T01:28:52Z")
If it’s just made of glass, try soaking it in bleach - just remember to rinse it thoroughly before using it again. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/11 "2007-04-30T02:04:00Z")
The construction is basically like a thermos bottle; glass inside and a pretty face outside. It did do a great job of keeping coffee hot all day. The denture tablet idea seems worth a try. ---
**Author:** ![Auntbeast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Auntbeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Auntbeast)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/12 "2007-04-30T04:08:31Z")
I’m in Tampa, and if your water is as limey as mine is, may I suggest CLR? If it’s glass, it won’t be damaged or absorb anything permanent and if you are worried about damaging any seals, it really doesn’t take much CLR to get rid of the lime. You could soak up what you used with a paper towel. Do you have a bottle washer? Those things are life savers. I can’t believe I waited until I had a kid to get one. ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/13 "2007-04-30T04:20:36Z")
Vinegar is my first choice (works wonders in kettles), but since you’ve already tried that, I second **Auntbeast** with the CLR. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/14 "2007-04-30T04:26:37Z")
Find yourself some “Clean That Pot” or “Squeak 'n Clean” commercial coffee pot cleaner. Pretty cheap, made for the purpose (ie: safe for human consumption in small amounts) and surprisingly effective at dissolving off caked-on coffee. OTOH, if the grunge in the pots is mineral deposits, CLR is probably the better choice. Only problem with CLR (or toilet bowl cleaner) will be getting all of it out of the sight glass (level indicator). With the commercial pot cleaners, you should rinse it out, but you’re not going to harm anything but the taste of your coffee if you don’t get it all out - the stuff is a bit bitter tasting. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/15 "2007-04-30T10:16:57Z")
I do periodically run vinegar through the coffee maker we have. We have fairly hard water and the scales, they do build up. Dunno if people make a ritual of this, I make several pots a day and yet rarely think to do this. ( Threads like this are good reminders ) I think when they’re all gone for the day to school I’ll run the maker a few times with vinegar. Hmmm. While I’m at it I could clean the litter boxes and do the windows with ammonia and power wash the house and…and…and… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/16 "2007-04-30T10:46:32Z")
[QUOTE=Cartooniverse] I do periodically run vinegar through the coffee maker we have. We have fairly hard water and the scales, they do build up. Dunno if people make a ritual of this, I make several pots a day and yet rarely think to do this. ( Threads like this are good reminders ) I think when they’re all gone for the day to school I’ll run the maker a few times with vinegar. Hmmm. While I’m at it I could clean the litter boxes and do the windows with ammonia and power wash the house and…and…and… 😛 [/QUOTE] Wouldn’t a nap be ever so much nicer? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/17 "2007-04-30T12:09:22Z")
When I was a server in a restaurant we tossed coarse salt and ice cubes into the carafe and swirled it around. It did a great job of removing crusty coffee. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/18 "2007-04-30T12:14:23Z")
[QUOTE=Cartooniverse] I do periodically run vinegar through the coffee maker we have. We have fairly hard water and the scales, they do build up. Dunno if people make a ritual of this, I make several pots a day and yet rarely think to do this. ( Threads like this are good reminders ) I think when they’re all gone for the day to school I’ll run the maker a few times with vinegar. Hmmm. While I’m at it I could clean the litter boxes and do the windows with ammonia and power wash the house and…and…and… 😛 [/QUOTE] I’ve tried the vinegar route. First off, it’s not exactly inexpensive - relative to the cost of a coffee-maker. Second thing, it doesn’t seem to work all that great. Using distilled water wouldn’t necessarily be cheap either. The OP - if the container is glass, try using up to a 50/50 solution of household bleach and water. No scrubbing required, just let it sit for several hours or overnight. I don’t think anything available retail is stronger. Maybe drain cleaner. ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/19 "2007-04-30T12:26:27Z")
Dollar Tree-brand OxyClean stuff gets my carafe beautifully clean. I also cleaned out two inherited thermoses with it. They had not been cleaned in at least six months at the time and it made them shiny and odorless. Hot water, Oxy, soak. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-coffee-carafe/402065/20 "2007-04-30T12:37:52Z")
Cover with water and put a fabric softner sheet in it. Let sit overnight. Something about the sheet’s anti-static abilities softens crusty stuff.