To clean a French press effectively, follow these steps for a quick daily cleaning and occasional deep cleaning: Daily Cleaning:
- Remove all coffee grounds from the carafe, preferably with a wooden or plastic spatula to avoid damaging the glass.
- Rinse the carafe and the plunger with warm water to remove any residual grounds.
- Add a few drops of dish soap to the carafe, fill it halfway with hot water, then insert the plunger and plunge up and down a few times to remove coffee oils.
- Rinse all components thoroughly with warm water.
- Dry with a cloth or air dry. Avoid using paper towels as they can leave lint.
Deep Cleaning (weekly or as needed):
- Remove the coffee grounds and rinse the carafe.
- Disassemble the plunger and filter using a screwdriver if needed.
- Prepare a cleaning solution of two cups hot water, two teaspoons dish soap, two teaspoons hydrogen peroxide, and two teaspoons citric acid powder (or three cups hot water with one cup white vinegar).
- Soak the plunger and filter in the solution for about four hours or overnight for very dirty parts.
- Wash the carafe and lid thoroughly with soapy water.
- Rinse all components well and dry before reassembling.
Avoid putting coffee grounds down the drain to prevent clogs. Replace the filter screen once or twice a year if used regularly. This routine helps maintain the French press clean and ensures better coffee flavor.
