How To Clean Reusable Coffee Filter

There are few greater joys in life than a beautifully brewed morning cup of coffee.

But is there anything worse than your coffee tasting a little less than lovely? 

You could have brewed your beans wrong, but most of the time, it could be because your coffee filter needs a little refreshment.  

What is a coffee filter?

A coffee filter is used to trap the coffee grounds so that the water can flow through the beans and produce the liquid coffee that we all love.

Typically, coffee filters can be made of paper or mesh in french press and drip coffee, however you can get reusable metal coffee filters that are used in espresso machines and coffee machines. 

Can you wash and reuse coffee filters?

You may be surprised to hear that you can reuse and wash coffee filters, but this depends on the type that you use.

For example, paper coffee filters may not survive well if really wet, however, other brands of coffee filters are specifically designed to be re-used multiple times or even washed to be reused over and over again. 

This is the perfect solution for cutting down on waste and making sure that your coffee has the optimal levels of flavor!

How to clean a reusable coffee filter

In order to keep your coffee aromatic, full of flavor and fresh, you will need to clean your reusable coffee filter. There are a few ways to do this, so you should pick the method that works best for your particular coffee filter for the best results!

Before you do anything, make sure that you first empty the coffee grounds into your garbage bin. Do not put them in the garbage disposal or down the sink as they will clog up the system, and are hard to break down!

Once this is done, you can grab a little bit of kitchen towel and wipe off any excess from the coffee filter.

Soap and Water

The simplest and easiest approach is just to clean the reusable coffee filter with some soap and water.

To do this, you can rinse the filter under some warm water to get off as much of the grime from the filter. 

Then, just use a small sponge and some dish soap to work away the dirt or build up from the coffee filter. Rinse again with some warm water, and leave it to air dry completely before using again.

Vinegar and Water

If your coffee filter is really grubby, then soap just will not do the trick. You may have to use a stronger concoction in order to clean off all of the coffee, water stains and build up from your reusable coffee filter.

If this is the case, then you need to deep clean your reusable coffee filter with some vinegar and water. 

To do this, you can use a mixture of vinegar and water to scrub away any grime from the filter. However, this is not recommended if you have a gold tone filter as the high levels of acidity in the vinegar will damage the filter. 

For this method, you will need a bowl with white vinegar and water, in the ratio of 1:2. You can use a smaller bowl, you just need one big enough to fully submerge your particular coffee filter into the mixture. 

You should try to leave the coffee filter in the bowl overnight, to let the vinegar fully work like a charm, then you can rinse off the mixture in some warm water and leave to dry! 

Dishwasher method

Depending on which reusable coffee filter you have, you may even be able to place it in the dishwasher to remove scale, buildup and bacteria. We recommend that you examine the manufacturer’s details first to ensure that your coffee filter is safe for use in the dishwasher. 

When using this method, you should always place the reusable coffee filter in the top compartment of your dishwasher, so it is far away from bigger or sharper objects than can damage the filter once the machine is running. 

The dishwasher method is the easiest, quickest and simplest way to keep your reusable coffee filter ship shape and shining for the freshest brew! 

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a cleaning essential. If all other non abrasive methods just simply will not do, then you can use a little baking soda and a lot of elbow grease to clean your coffee filter this way. 

Place a small amount of baking soda onto the coffee filter, and scrub away with a kitchen sponge. Do this until all of the grime has been removed, and then rinse under some warm water. Check that everything is clean and clear, and if not then repeat the process again until done.

Then, rinse the whole reusable coffee filter, and let it air dry completely before using again. 

Why you need to clean a reusable coffee filter

If you are as passionate about your coffee flavor as we are, then you will want to clean your coffee filter as best as you can. Coffee filters are great for keeping your inner coffee connoisseur satisfied, whilst providing the freshest flavor possible.

However, coffee filters can also harbor germs and mold just like any other kitchen utensils. The flow of water through the filter can also create a hard water build up, bacteria and even mold after excessive use. 

If you want to ensure the freshest taste, strongest coffee flavor and most beautifully brewed results, then you will have to clean your reusable coffee filter!

How often should I clean my reusable coffee filter?

If you drink coffee every day, then you should try to clean your coffee filter or maker after every use to ensure that your coffee grounds release the most beautiful flavor.

However, if you are doing a deeper, descaling clean of your coffee filter, then you should aim to do this at least once a month for the best results, and the most brewtiful coffee.