For many of us, a typical morning routine involves brewing a fresh pot of coffee. That said, given our coffee makers’ frequent use, properly cleaning and descaling them is a task often overlooked.

Not cleaning your coffee maker may lower the quality of your brew and even damage the machine. Take a look at your coffee maker’s manual and check for any cleaning instructions from the manufacturer.

But having a clean brewer isn’t just a matter of hygiene. According to Erika Vonie, a consultant, NYC Coffee Masters champion and the former director of coffee at Trade, it translates to better ...