How Often Should You Clean and Descale Your Nespresso Machine?

Nespresso coffee machines

Capsule or packaged shots of espresso coffee have been a dominant force in the coffee market.

Their popularity has increased dramatically since inception and even in 2010, accounted for up to 40% of ground coffee sales!

A major player in the market has obviously been Nespresso, from Nestle.

And it is Nespresso coffee machines that are the focus of this post. Other coffee machines may have different cleaning frequencies and instructions.

The single serve coffee pod machines are generally hassle free still need some care to keep them working well.

Here’s the deal:

Irrespective of whether you just bought a new Nespresso coffee machine or you have had it for a while, you want the to have the best tasting coffee.

And to do that, you need to maintain and clean it regularly.

Why should I clean my coffee machine?

Cleaning your machine may not be something you have thought of a lot. Maybe it has been a long time since the last clean or descale.

Does it matter at all? You will find it does.

Firstly, not cleaning your machine will lead to worse tasting and worse quality coffee.

Over time, every coffee machine will build up deposits of calcium and lime.

As a consequence, a dirty Nespresso machine means your coffee will have more impurities that will definitely affect the taste.

Another benefit of regular cleans is that they extend the lifetime of your machine.

Alright. Let’s see how to do it.

How often should I clean my Nespresso machine?

Here are some tips and suggestions about how often you should clean your machine and the different components.

Depending on your specific machine, some of the cleaning instructions will vary.

As an example, see these helpful hints for cleaning and maintaining the Nespresso machine from the official Youtube channel, in this case using the Inissia model:

Keeping the outside clean

Clean dust from the outside surfaces of the coffee machine with a slightly wet cloth every day.

How often should I clean the water tank and lid?

Clean the tank every day.

Following your machine’s manual, remove both the lid and water tank from the machine base. Put them in the sink and clean well with a classic dishwashing detergent.

Once washed, rinse well. Do not use the dishwasher.

Regularly change the water in the tank. Ensure lid is in place once cleaned to stop dust and dirt getting in.

How often should I clean the drip tray and capsule container?

You should clean them every couple of days (or even daily depending on level of use).

Detach, empty and rinse thoroughly the capsule container and the drip tray.

You can use a detergent as above and clean off any old coffee.

Dry well after cleaning

Leave to dry after cleaning the parts. You can use a dishcloth if you prefer.

Afterwards, reassemble and it is ready for use!

Rinsing when using the machine

Ensure you eject (clear) the capsule pod following each use.

Run water through the machine before and after using the machine.

Descale regularly

Descaling is the process of removing calcium deposits from the surfaces inside your coffee machine.

You may notice coffee tastes so much better after a single descale.

I was surprised just how much of an effect it had!

How often should I descale my coffee machine?

Nespresso recommends descaling your machine at least every 6 months or at least after every 600 capsules used.

In order to get the best taste out of your coffee, some experts suggest descaling more often, even every 3 months or after 300 coffees, whichever comes first. I tend to suggest this based on my previous experience.

Some Nespresso machines will need more or less frequent descaling and some will even have alert lights to let you know it is time. So get your instruction booklet out.

How do I descale my Nespresso coffee machine?

Now that we know how often to clean and descale your machine to get the best coffee.

How do we go about doing it correctly?

What do I need?

Firstly, we would recommend getting the official descaling kit from Nespresso. It is generally not too expensive.

Other products and home based solutions can be used for descaling but take care and if not sure, go with the official kit.

Also, ensure to have a source of fresh water available and a decent container to drain the water into.

The process of descaling

Have a look at this video explaining the descaling steps involved for the Vertuo machine made by the Nespresso channel (updated in January 2022):

Note the steps they take, most Nespresso machines will have similar broad instructions.

Having said that, specific methods will vary based on your model so it is crucial to follow your specific booklet manual.

If you have lost your booklet or it is not available, have a look at the Nespresso website. We were able to find specific manuals with clear steps for each machine.

The descaling solution is hazardous and poisonous if used incorrectly, so ensure you follow the safety steps on the packaging clearly.

1. Prepare the machine and materials

For nearly all the models, the first step is to remove any old and used capsules and empty the capsule container.

Discard the old capsules, ideally recycling them (most Nespresso stores offer free recycling services).

Assemble materials as above in front of you and clear some space.

Set aside about 30 minutes, especially if it is your first time doing it.

As per your machine’s specific instructions, pour water into the water tank and mix in a sachet of Nespresso descaling solution.

Place a decent sized container under the outlet (make sure it can fit at least one, ideally two litres).

Turn your Nespresso machine on.

2. Get the coffee machine into descaling mode

The next step is to turn the descaling setting on.

How you do this will depend on your machine type and will involve pressing a button or a couple of them.

For some machines, this will mean pressing and holding one button for a longer time (5-10 seconds). For others, it may involve pressing two or more buttons at the same time.

3. Fill the water tank with the descaling solution

Use the descaling solution you prepared previously and in line with Nespresso guide.

4. Start the descaling process

You generally do this by pressing on the blinking light button or buttons.

In some cases and with some machine models, you may need to reuse the solution and refill the water tank to repeat the step.

5. Rinse the parts and machine

Get rid of the descaling solution.

Next, rinse all the machine parts. Do this well, don’t mess it up, so the solution is completely gone.

Let them dry or use a clean cloth to do so.

After they are dry, pour fresh water (without solution) into the water container.

Place it back on the machine. Run a cycle, same as above, now without the descaling solution.

We recommend doing this step three times to ensure it is well rinsed and safe to use (the descaling solution is hazardous, take care and follow official instructions, not just the ones here as your machine may differ).

6. Exit the descaling mode

To exit the descaling mode, usually in the same way as you initiated it.

7. Set machine aside to dry

Leave your Nespresso machine time to dry up for at least 15 minutes before using to make fresh coffee.

And that is how you descale.

Final word

In conclusion, regular cleaning and descaling will go a long way towards ensuring your machine is safe to use, makes the highest quality coffee that tastes great and works longer.

How often do you clean and descale your Nespresso machine?

Do you have any tips about maintaining?

Or even some horror stories?

Let us know in the comments below.

References

Nespresso and Rivals Vie for Dominance in Coffee War, New Your Times, 20 August 2010, accessed October 2020, link here

Official Nespresso Machine Care and Troubleshooting,  Nespresso, accessed October 2020, link here

Nespresso Vertuo, How To- Descaling, Youtube Nespresso channel Oct 2016, accessed September 2020, link here

Nespresso Inissia: How to clean your Inissia Machine, Youtube Nespresso channel Dec 2013, accessed October 2020, link here

Official Youtube channel of Nespresso, accessed May 2022, link here

This article on how often to clean your Nespresso machine is meant for general information only and not as specific advice. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability arising from the use of the information. Read your machine’s official guide or Nespresso’s online instructions to get specific and accurate information. Take care when using descaling agent as it can be hazardous, especially if ingested, or in contact with skin or eyes. Keep away from children. Call poisons line, doctor or ambulance immediately if ingested or in contact with skin or eyes.

About the author:
Written by Ben, engineer, ex cafe owner, coffee enthusiast and proud Nespresso Vertuo owner. Writing for How Often Should since mid 2020.

Images by:
JB Photography, copyright, 2022