How To Clean A Nespresso Machine (Step-by-Step Guide)

Does your morning brew taste a bit burnt lately? Whether you own a trusty DeLonghi, a sleek Breville, a VertuoPlus, or a classic Creatista Pro, dirty internals ruin good coffee.

Nespresso machines are generally low maintenance, but they aren’t self-cleaning. Over time, coffee oils and mineral buildup accumulate inside the pumps and pipes.

To keep your espresso flowing smoothly and tasting fresh, you need a routine. We are breaking down exactly how to clean and descale your Nespresso machine without the headache.

Key Takeaways

• Wash the drip tray, water tank, and capsule container daily to prevent mold growth.
• Descale your machine every 3 months (or every 300 capsules) to remove mineral limescale.
• Run a “water-only” brewing cycle weekly to flush out old coffee oils from the internal spout.
• Avoid vinegar if possible; manufacturer warranties often require lactic-acid based descaling solutions.

In This Article

• Cleaning Schedule
• Daily Cleaning Routine
• Weekly Internal Rinse
• Descaling Your Nespresso
• DIY Descaling Solution
• Extend Your Machine’s Lifespan
• FAQs

Determine Your Cleaning Schedule

You don’t need to deep clean your machine every day, but hygiene matters. A Nespresso machine requires attention at three different intervals to stay in peak condition.

1. Daily Cleaning This is a quick sanitation wipe-down. You must empty the capsule container, rinse the drip tray, and change the water daily. This stops bacteria and mold from thriving in the damp, dark parts of the machine.

2. Weekly Maintenance Run a cleaning cycle (or a rinse shot) once a week. This flushes out coffee residue that gets stuck in the brewing unit, which is the main culprit behind bitter-tasting coffee.

3. Quarterly Descaling You must descale your machine every 3 months or after 300 capsules. Tap water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals build up inside the heating element and pipes, eventually clogging the machine or lowering the water temperature.

Perform a Daily Cleaning Routine

Preventing mold is easier than scrubbing it away later. Follow these steps to keep the exterior and removable parts sanitary.

• Time: 5 minutes
• Difficulty: Beginner

Tools You Need

• Mild dish soap
• Clean microfiber cloth
• Fresh water

1. Wash the Water Tank

Remove the water tank and dump any old water. Hand wash the tank using warm water and mild dish soap. Rinse it thoroughly to ensure no soapy aftertaste remains.

Let the tank air dry or wipe it with a clean cloth. Never let water sit stagnant in the tank for days, as this encourages bacterial growth.

2. Empty the Capsule Container

Eject any used capsules immediately after brewing. Remove the capsule catch bin and the drip tray.

Wash both parts with warm soapy water. These areas are prone to mold because they hold warm, damp coffee grounds. Rinse and dry them completely before reassembling.

3. Wipe the Lens (Vertuo Users)

If you have a Vertuo machine, this step is critical. Inside the machine head, there is a clear plastic optical lens that reads the barcode on the pods.

Take a damp, soft cloth and gently wipe the lens inside the upper head. If this lens gets dirty with coffee splatters, your machine may refuse to spin or recognize the pod.

4. Wipe the Exterior

Use a damp cloth to wipe down the machine’s body, the coffee outlet, and the heavy metal lever.

Run a Weekly Internal Rinse

You need to clean the internal brewing unit regularly. The method differs slightly depending on your model.

For Original Line Machines (Pixie, Citiz, Essenza): Place a large cup under the spout. Eject any used capsule. Press the “Lungo” (large cup) button to run hot water through the system. This flushes out stray grounds and oils.

For Vertuo Line Machines: These machines have a dedicated cleaning cycle.

1. Fill the water tank.
2. Place a container under the spout.
3. Open the head to eject any pod, then close and lock it.
4. Press the button 3 times quickly (within 2 seconds).
5. The machine will pump water through in pulses to deep clean the spinning mechanism. This takes about 5 minutes.

Descale Your Nespresso Machine

Descaling is the deep cleaning process that removes mineral limescale. If your machine is blinking orange or yellow, it is likely demanding a descale.

Note: Always check your specific user manual, as button combinations to enter “Descaling Mode” vary significantly by model.

• Time: 20-30 minutes
• Difficulty: Intermediate

Tools You Need

• Nespresso Descaling Solution
• Large container (at least 32oz/1 Liter)
• Fresh water

1. Prepare the Machine

Empty the drip tray and capsule container. Ensure no used pods are in the chamber. Place your large container under the coffee outlet.

2. Mix the Solution

Fill the water tank with one packet of descaling liquid and the amount of water specified on the packet (usually about 17oz or 0.5 liters). Lock the tank back onto the machine.

3. Enter Descaling Mode

This is the tricky part. You must trigger the machine’s software to run the continuous descaling pump rather than a standard brew.

• VertuoPlus: Hold the lever down and the button simultaneously for 3 seconds. Push the lever down once, then press the button to confirm.
• Vertuo Next: With the head locked, hold the button for 7 seconds until it flashes. Lock and unlock the lever, then hold the button again.
• Original Line (Pixie/Inissia): Press both cup buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds until they blink rapidly.

4. Run the Descaling Cycle

Once the lights are blinking rapidly (indicating mode activation), press the brew button to start. The solution will run through the machine into your container.

Some machines pause halfway. If yours does, pour the solution from the container back into the water tank and press the button again to run it through a second time.

5. Run the Rinse Cycle

You must rinse the chemical solution out of the machine. Rinse the water tank thoroughly and fill it with fresh, potable water.

Press the brew button again to start the rinse cycle. The machine will pump clear water through the system to flush out the acid.

6. Exit Descaling Mode

The machine does not always auto-reset. You usually need to repeat the button combination you used to enter the mode (e.g., hold the buttons for 3-5 seconds) to exit. The lights should stop blinking and return to steady.

Use a DIY Descaling Solution

Official Nespresso descaler is lactic-acid based. Many people want to use vinegar to save money, but you should proceed with caution.

The Recipe: Mix equal parts white distilled vinegar and water (1:1 ratio).

The Risk: Vinegar contains acetic acid. While effective at removing scale, acetic acid can be harsh on the internal rubber gaskets and O-rings of the machine. Using vinegar may void your warranty. If you use vinegar, you must run at least 5 rinse cycles with fresh water to remove the strong odor and taste.

Extend Your Machine’s Lifespan

Nespresso machines are built to last 5 to 10 years, but only if you treat them right. Use these pro tips to avoid breakdowns.

• Use filtered water: This reduces the amount of minerals entering the machine, meaning you have to descale less often.
• Eject immediately: Never leave a used pod in the chamber. It dries out and gets stuck, or leaks oils onto the lens.
• Leave it open: If possible, leave the machine head slightly open (unlocked) when not in use to let the internal dampness dry out.
• Avoid soap inside: Never put soap in the water tank during a brew cycle. Only use soap when hand-washing removable parts in the sink.

FAQs

Why Can’t I Remove the Drip Tray?

Some smaller Nespresso models have drip trays that do not detach completely but rather flip up to accommodate travel mugs. If it looks removable but is stuck, it may be “glued” by dried coffee. Pour a little warm water around the edges to loosen the sticky residue before pulling firmly.

Do You Really Need to Clean a Nespresso Machine?

Yes, absolutely. Without cleaning, coffee oils go rancid and bacteria grows in the water lines. This ruins the flavor of expensive pods and can eventually clog the flow of water, breaking the pump.

Does Vinegar Harm Nespresso Machines?

It can. Nespresso officially advises against using vinegar because the acetic acid can damage internal rubber seals and cause leaks. It is safer to use a lactic-acid based descaler designed for coffee machines.

Why Does My Nespresso Coffee Taste Burnt?

Burnt flavors usually mean buildup on the heating element or residue in the spout. Descaling the machine usually fixes this. If the flavor persists, ensure you are not using expired pods and that you are using the correct cup size for the pod type.

How Long Do Nespresso Machines Last?

With proper maintenance and regular descaling, a Nespresso machine typically lasts 5 to 10 years. Neglecting descaling is the number one cause of premature failure.

Why Is My Nespresso Light Blinking Orange?

A blinking orange or yellow light usually indicates the machine needs descaling. On Vertuo Next machines, a specific pattern (like 2 blinks, 1 pause) can indicate an error code. Check your user manual or the Nespresso app to identify the specific error.

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