How to clean a Nespresso machine: rinse, clean cycle and descale

Step by step: how to clean a nespresso machine

Safety first. Nespresso’s descaling solution is an acid that can irritate skin and seriously damage eyes. Keep it off your skin, eyes and countertops, rinse right away if it splashes, and never drink the solution or brew coffee until the rinse is done.

1. 1

   Empty the capsule container and drip tray

   With the machine on, open the head to eject any capsule, then slide out the drip tray and capsule container. Throw away the capsules and pour out the liquid. Both collect coffee and moisture that grows mold if left for a week.

2. 2

   Wash the removable parts by hand

   Wash the drip tray, capsule container, cup support and water tank in warm, soapy water with a soft sponge, then rinse and dry them. Check your manual before using the dishwasher; the machine itself must never go in water or the dishwasher.

3. 3

   Wipe the coffee outlet and capsule area

   Wipe the coffee outlet and the area around the capsule holder with a damp cloth to remove coffee residue. Do not use abrasive pads or strong cleaners on the machine. Put the parts back once they are dry.

4. 4

   Run the cleaning cycle

   Fill the tank with fresh water and set a container under the outlet. On Vertuo machines, eject the capsule, close and lock the head, then press the button 3 times within 2 seconds. The cycle runs on its own for about 5 minutes, flushing water through the brewing unit.

5. 5

   Start descaling when the alert shows

   Empty the drip tray and capsule container, then fill the water tank with one packet of Nespresso descaling solution and 17 oz (0.5 liter) of water. Lattissima milk machines take two packets. Put a container that holds at least 34 oz under the outlet.

6. 6

   Enter descaling mode for your model

   On many Vertuo machines you leave the lever unlocked, hold the button about 7 seconds, lock and unlock the lever, then hold it again until the light blinks quickly. The button sequence differs by model, so follow the guide for yours. The cycle takes about 20 minutes and should not be interrupted.

7. 7

   Rinse the machine

   When the solution has run through and the machine is quiet, discard it, rinse the tank thoroughly and refill it with fresh water. Start the rinse as your model directs and let it run until it stops by itself. Do not top up the tank during descaling.

8. 8

   Exit descaling mode and let it rest

   Empty and rinse the drip tray and capsule container again, then exit descaling mode as your manual describes; the light returns to steady white. Wipe the machine with a damp cloth and let it rest about 10 minutes before your first coffee.

How to clean a Nespresso Vertuo vs an Original machine

The routine is the same for both lines: wash the trays and tank, run water through, and descale with Nespresso’s solution. What changes is how you enter each mode, so match your machine below and keep its guide handy.

On a Vertuo, once the descaling alert appears you can make only a few more coffees before the machine requires descaling, so do not put it off. If the light keeps blinking after you finish, the cycle did not complete; start again from the beginning.

Can you descale a Nespresso with vinegar?

No. Nespresso’s descaling kit page says plainly never to use vinegar because it can damage the machine, and the Vertuo manual says to use only the Nespresso descaling kit to avoid damage.

The kit uses lactic acid, which removes scale without harming the seals and the heating block. Generic descalers may work, but they are not what Nespresso designed the cycle around, and a problem caused by the wrong product may not be covered by the warranty. One packet is one descale, and the kit comes with two.

How do you clean the Aeroccino milk frother?

Rinse it right after every use, before the milk dries. Milk film left in the jug turns sour and stops the whisk from frothing properly.

• Unplug the base, lift the jug off and pull out the whisk.
• Wash the jug and whisk in warm, soapy water with the soft side of a sponge so you do not scratch the nonstick coating.
• Never put the base in water. Check your model’s manual before putting the jug in the dishwasher; some versions allow it and some do not.
• On Lattissima machines, run the milk system’s rinse after each drink and wash the milk container daily, following the manual.

If you also run a pod brewer from another brand, our guide on how to clean a Keurig covers its needles and descaling.

Mistakes to avoid

• Using vinegar, which Nespresso says can damage the machine.
• Topping up the water tank during descaling, which dilutes the solution and confuses the cycle.
• Leaving used capsules in the container for a week, which grows mold.
• Putting a container under the outlet that is too small, so solution floods the counter.
• Ignoring the descaling alert on a Vertuo until the machine stops brewing.
• Scrubbing the machine with abrasive pads or strong cleaners.