the "CLEAN" message keeps flashing on my coffee maker, how do i make it stop?

Diagnosis

The "CLEAN" message flashing on your Black & Decker coffee maker means the machine has detected (or estimated) enough mineral buildup inside the brewing system that it wants you to run a cleaning cycle. This is triggered by an internal timer or brew counter — not an actual sensor measuring how dirty the machine is. On most Black & Decker 12-cup programmable models, the CLEAN indicator activates after roughly 60 to 80 brew cycles.

The flashing won't stop on its own. Even if you run a normal brew cycle, the CLEAN message persists because the machine is waiting for a specific cleaning procedure to clear the flag. Simply pressing buttons at random won't reset it — you need to run the actual clean cycle or manually reset the indicator.

Why this matters beyond the annoying flashing light: mineral scale (calcium and lime deposits from your tap water) builds up inside the water tubes, heating element, and valve. Over time, this slows down brewing, makes the coffee taste bitter or off, reduces brewing temperature, and can eventually clog the machine entirely. The CLEAN reminder is actually protecting your coffee maker's lifespan.

How to Fix It

Run the built-in cleaning cycle with white vinegar:

1. Empty the coffee maker completely. Remove the brew basket, discard any used filter, and pour out any water in the reservoir and carafe. Rinse the carafe.
2. Fill the reservoir with white vinegar. Use plain white distilled vinegar — fill the reservoir to the MAX line. Do not dilute it. For lighter cleaning, you can use a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water, but full vinegar works better for heavy buildup.
3. Press the CLEAN button. On most Black & Decker 12-cup models, press and hold the CLEAN button until the CLEAN light turns solid (not flashing). The machine will begin the cleaning cycle automatically. This cycle runs the vinegar through the entire internal system, including the heating element, tubes, and valve.
4. Let the cycle finish completely. The clean cycle takes longer than a normal brew — typically 30 to 60 minutes. The machine will pause periodically to let the vinegar soak inside the system. Do not interrupt it or turn the machine off. When done, the CLEAN light should turn off.
5. Flush with clean water — two to three times. This step is critical. Fill the reservoir with plain cold water to the MAX line and run a normal brew cycle. Repeat this at least two more times. The first rinse will taste strongly of vinegar. By the third rinse, the water and the machine should be vinegar-free. Some people do four rinse cycles to be safe — there's no downside to extra rinsing.

If That Didn't Work

If the CLEAN light keeps flashing after running the clean cycle:

• The cycle may not have completed. If the machine was turned off or unplugged during the clean cycle, the CLEAN flag doesn't reset. Run the full clean cycle again from the beginning — fill with vinegar, press CLEAN, and let it finish without interruption.
• Try a hard reset. Unplug the coffee maker from the wall outlet. Wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in. On some models, this clears the CLEAN indicator. If the light comes back on immediately, the internal timer has re-triggered and you need to run the clean cycle again.
• Use a commercial descaling solution. If vinegar didn't clear heavy buildup, try a citric acid-based descaler designed for coffee makers (brands like Dezcal or Full Circle work well). These are more aggressive than vinegar at dissolving calcium scale. Mix according to package directions, run through the CLEAN cycle, then flush with at least three full reservoirs of plain water.
• Check for severe clogging. If the machine brews extremely slowly or stops mid-cycle, the internal tubes may be severely scaled. Fill the reservoir with full-strength white vinegar, press CLEAN, and when the machine pauses during the soak phase, unplug it and let it sit overnight with vinegar inside the system. Plug back in the next morning and let the cycle finish. This extended soak can dissolve heavy deposits that a single cycle misses.
• Preventive measures going forward: If you have hard tap water, run the clean cycle once a month rather than waiting for the CLEAN light. Using filtered or bottled water for brewing dramatically reduces mineral buildup. If you're on well water with visible mineral content, expect to clean every 2 to 3 weeks.

Heads Up

• Never use bleach, baking soda, or soap inside the coffee maker's brewing system. These can leave residue that's difficult to flush and can damage internal seals. White vinegar or food-grade citric acid are the only safe cleaning agents.
• The CLEAN light will come back. It resets after a successful clean cycle, but the internal counter keeps running. Expect to see it again after another 60 to 80 brew cycles. This is normal — it's a maintenance reminder, not an error.
• Don't ignore it indefinitely. A coffee maker with severe mineral scale will brew at lower temperatures, produce weaker and more bitter coffee, and eventually fail. Regular descaling extends the machine's life by years.
• Wash removable parts separately. The brew basket, carafe, and lid can be washed with warm soapy water or in the dishwasher (check your model's manual). The CLEAN cycle only addresses internal buildup — it doesn't clean the parts you can reach by hand.