How to Clean Ice Maker

What You'll Need

• White vinegar
• Water
• Soft cloth
• Soft brush or toothbrush
• Towel

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   Turn off and empty

   Turn off the ice maker and remove all ice from the bin. Discard ice that may have been contaminated by buildup.

2. 2

   Wipe with vinegar solution

   Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water. Wipe down the entire interior including the ice mold, water lines, and bin.

3. 3

   Run a vinegar cycle

   For built-in ice makers with a wash cycle, follow the manufacturer instructions to run the cleaning cycle. Refer to your manual.

4. 4

   Scrub stubborn spots

   Use a soft brush dipped in vinegar solution to scrub mineral deposits and stains in tight spots.

5. 5

   Rinse and dry

   Wipe with clean water several times to remove vinegar. Discard the first 2-3 batches of new ice.

Pro Tips

• TIPClean the ice maker every 3-6 months. More often if you have hard water.
• TIPReplace the water filter as recommended by the manufacturer (typically every 6 months) for the cleanest ice.
• TIPIf ice tastes funny, the issue is usually the water filter, the ice maker buildup, or the water source.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• XUsing bleach to clean ice makers, which leaves residues that contaminate ice.
• XSkipping the rinse, which makes ice taste like vinegar for several batches.
• XIgnoring routine cleaning, which leads to mineral buildup, slime, and bad-tasting ice.

Frequently Asked Questions