Why You Should Use Denture Tablets To Clean Your Coffee Pot

Quick question: When was the last time you cleaned your coffee pot? Sure, you probably rinse it in between every batch of coffee. Otherwise, things will start to taste burnt. If you're diligent, you might even wash your pot every time it's finished with a brewing cycle. But when was the last time you really took it apart and cleaned your coffee maker in depth? While things might look sufficiently hygienic after a quick sponge down, chances are there's still more gunk inside than meets the eye.

According to Scientific Reports, a wide variety of bacteria can be found on different parts of a coffee maker. To be fair, Healthline says that bacteria begin to die at 149 degrees Fahrenheit and, since coffee is generally brewed at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit, most bacteria inside the pot won't cause problems. However, depending on your coffee pot's shape, there may still be nooks and crannies where the germs are able to survive. Plus, in regards to the insulation features of your machine, bacteria on the outside can usually survive and then be transferred to your mug when you pour yourself a cup.

In addition to bacterial risks, coffee pots generally need to be decalcified if you have hard water. Essentially, there could be minerals in your water that build up deposits over time. Coffee makers can also retain or breed both yeast and mold. Fortunately, denture tablets can help with all of this!

If you've ever mixed baking soda and vinegar together, you've seen firsthand how acids and bases can cause each other to fizzle. Denture tablets work in a similar way. According to Tiger Smile Dental, they contain ingredients with a variety of pH levels. While fillers in the tablets keep them separated, the acids and bases blend together once the tablet is added to water and starts to dissolve. As further explained by Cooking Light, this combination causes the formation of lots of tiny bubbles that essentially pressure-wash the inside of wherever they're contained.

The benefits of using denture tabs to clean your coffee maker don't end there. According to The Primadonna Life, you'll need an acid to descale a coffee pot and remove its mineral deposits. If you're going to make a DIY descaling solution, the site recommends using citric acid mixed with water. Don't be discouraged by the word acid in its name. Per Healthline, it's a naturally-occurring cleaning agent derived from citrus fruit. Citric acid is safe to use, inexpensive, and relatively easy to find. On this note though, dental tablets already have you covered. Most tablets contain citric acid, making their cleaning power a lot more effective (via Tiger Smile Dental).

Denture tablets aren't just an efficient coffee pot cleaner — they're also easy to use. To clean your pot, simply pop the tablet inside and follow the manufacturer's directions. Generally, you'll just have to fill the pot with warm water and leave the tablet to do the rest on its own.

After your coffee pot has been cleaned, be very careful to rinse it thoroughly until you're sure that any residue is gone. According to Ask the Dentist, most dental cleaning tablets contain persulfates, which have the potential to cause harm if accidentally ingested. Symptoms may include vomiting, breathing issues, seizures, internal bleeding, and more. While this isn't out of the ordinary for household cleaning agents, the vast majority of cleansers can lead to health issues if consumed, and you should never ingest soap. It is important to make sure that you understand the risks and completely rinse out your coffee pot before brewing your next cup of joe.