Professional cleaning services hack's for cleaning and sanitizing your office coffee maker.
Cleaning Services Tips for Your Office Coffee Maker
Studies have shown that office coffee pots are the first place most workers, especially sick ones, go to in the morning.
Coffee pot handles are of chief concern, coming in as one of the top ten high-touch surfaces in an office to spread germs.
The inside of coffee pots and makers, despite coffee's inherent acidic, anti-bacterial nature, will develop mold, bacteria, and disease when not properly tended to.
Coffee cups are just as gross when not cleaned regularly.
And, unfortunate news for all of our Keurig brethren; the centerpiece of your morning is a prime location for the buildup of mold and illness-causing bacteria.
Fortunately, we have several tips and advice that will help you keep your morning maker clean and sanitary.
This will have the added benefit of better performance and a longer lifespan for your coffee machine, as well as better tasting coffee.
What's in Your Coffe Pot?
A recent test conducted by Loyola University's Microbiologist Roman Golash in several Chicago homes found the following in coffee brewers:
- Staphylococcus - More commonly; Staph, which causes:
- Skin Infections.
- Pneumonia.
- Food Poisoning.
- Toxic Shock Syndrome, and;
- Blood Poisoning.
- Streptococcus - More commonly; Strep, which causes:
- Strep Throat.
- Scarlet Fever.
- Impetigo.
- Toxic Shock Syndrome, and;
- Cellulitis and Necrotizing Fasciitis.
- E-Coli - An intestinal bacteria commonly passed by failing to properly wash hands after using the bathroom, which causes:
- Nausea and Vomiting.
- Severe Abdominal Cramps.
- Watery or Very Bloody Diarrhea.
- Fatigue, and;
- Fever.
What about coffee cups?
Coffee mugs are usually [the] worst.
In our studies, half had fecal bacteria in them.
People probably contaminate them when they wipe them out with sponges or cleaning cloths.
Manufacturer Cleaning Instructions
Conventional coffee makers are currently the norm in many offices.
However, cup or disc coffee makers continue to grow in popularity.
According to the manufacturer's, the following cleaning procedures are advised:
Flavia
According to Flavia's support site, their systems do not require ANY 'daily maintenance.'
The state-of-the-art FLAVIA system, an innovation of Mars, Incorporated, is engineered for ease of use and unmatched reliability.
With the self-contained fresh pack, there are no grounds to measure, filters to discard, or coffee pots to empty and clean, eliminating daily maintenance.
This is different from most other one-cup systems.
Keurig®
Keurig® recommends descaling every three to six months; with several consecutive descaling cycles recommended for systems that haven't been used in a set amount of time.
Manufacturer Recommended Products and Instructions
For More Information:
Nespresso
Nespresso provides a descaling kit with detailed instructions with each model.
Manufacturer Recommended Instructions
DIY Green Cleaning Tips
For those of you still using traditional coffee pots and makers, we recommend:
- Descale the reservoir and brewer once per month with an equal part solution of water and white vinegar.
- Mix the solution in the pot and run a standard brew cycle without the filter or coffee.
- Repeat until the water comes out clear.
- Wash the pot and used mugs daily in a dishwasher.
- Use soap.
- Don't use disgusting sponges or rags lying around the sink to wipe out the pot or mugs.
- For stained coffee pots, mix equal parts water and vinegar with a tablespoon of baking soda.
- Allow it to sit for several hours, overnight is best.
- Rinse and repeat as necessary.
- Alternatively, place ice and rock salt in the pot and swish around vigorously.
- Don't leave coffee in a pot, sitting on a hot brewer or warmer for more than a couple of hours without washing out and creating a new batch.
- Don't leave used coffee and filters in the brewer - this is where fuzzy mold will develop first.
- If you're not going to wash out the pot daily in a dishwasher, wipe it down at the end of the day with a green cleaning wipe or solution to avoid spreading germs.
References
- How to Clean your coffee maker
- Nasty germs may be lurking in your coffee maker
- How to Clean Your Coffeemaker
- Your Coffee Maker Is Full Of Mold. Here’s How To Clean It
- Your Keurig Machine May Be Covered In Bacteria And Mold
- Just How Many Germs Is Your Coffeemaker Harboring?
- Coffee Maker Mold Is Making You Sick!
Takeaway
The simple fact remains; there may be poop in your coffee making you sick.
Follow the manufacturer instructions for descaling the inside of specialty brewers.
Descale conventional coffee makers once a month, more often with heavy use or older machines.
Use soap and warm water to clean the inside of pots and mugs.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of professional cleaning services for your business, contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 395-3009
In Fresno CA, call (559) 473-1790
