I've had my Keurig for about 3 years and lately the water tastes a bit off. I've tried running vinegar through it but there's this stubborn white/brown film inside the reservoir that won't come off. Should I soak it, use a brush, or is there a better method?
Have you tried removing the reservoir and soaking it separately? That's usually way more effective than running vinegar through the machine - pop it out, fill it with equal parts white vinegar and water, let it sit for like 30 mins to an hour, then scrub with a soft brush or even an old toothbrush to get at that stubborn film. If it's really stuck, a slightly abrasive sponge works too, just don't go too hard and scratch the plastic 💪
Soaking the reservoir separately is definitely your best bet, and if vinegar alone doesn't budge that film, try a paste of baking soda and water with an old toothbrush or soft bottle brush to gently scrub the stubborn spots. One thing to watch for though: make sure you rinse it really thoroughly afterward, because leftover baking soda residue can actually affect the taste more than the buildup does, and it's annoying to get out completely once it dries.
When you say the film won't budge even after vinegar, how long are you letting it sit? The guys above have the right idea with separate soaking, but here's what actually works on those stubborn mineral deposits: instead of just baking soda paste, grab a denture tablet or two, drop them in the reservoir with some warm water, and let it sit overnight - the fizzy action breaks down buildup way better than scrubbing. If that doesn't fully clear it, a soft bottle brush works, but honestly the denture tablet method does most of the heavy lifting so you're barely scrubbing at all.
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