How to Clean and Descale a Nespresso Machine

Nespresso machines are easy to live with, but mineral scale and old coffee oils slowly affect taste, temperature and flow. If your coffee tastes bitter, comes out lukewarm, or the descaling light is on, it's time. Here's how to clean and descale a Nespresso machine, for both Original and Vertuo models.

Quick answer: Empty the capsule container and drip tray and wash them weekly. To descale, fill the water tank with Nespresso descaling solution and water, enter descaling mode (the button sequence depends on your model), run the descaling cycle, then rinse by repeating the cycle with fresh water. Nespresso recommends its own descaling solution rather than vinegar.

How Often to Clean and Descale

Task	How often
Empty capsule bin and drip tray	Daily or every few uses
Wash water tank, drip tray, capsule container	Weekly
Run a water-only cleaning cycle	Weekly or when coffee tastes off
Descale	When the alert comes on, or every 3–6 months (more often with hard water)

Weekly Cleaning

Turn off and unplug the machine.
Remove and empty the water tank, drip tray and used capsule container.
Wash them with warm water and a little mild dish soap; rinse well.
Wipe the capsule area and coffee outlet with a damp cloth.
Reassemble, fill with fresh water, and run a water-only cycle (no capsule) into a cup to flush the system.

How to Descale a Nespresso Original Machine

Empty the drip tray and capsule container; remove any capsule.
Fill the tank with the descaling solution and water according to the package directions.
Place a large container (about 1 liter) under the coffee outlet.
Enter descaling mode. On many Original models, you press both coffee buttons together for a few seconds; check your manual for your exact model.
Run the descaling solution through until the tank is empty.
Rinse the tank, fill with fresh water, and run the cycle again to rinse.
Exit descaling mode as described in your manual.

How to Descale a Nespresso Vertuo Machine

Empty the capsule container and drip tray; unlock and open the head to eject any capsule, then close without locking (per your model's instructions).
Fill the tank with descaling solution and water as directed.
Put a large container under the outlet.
Enter descaling mode (often by pressing the button several times quickly with the head unlocked; your manual has the exact sequence).
Let the cycle run, rinse the tank, refill with fresh water, and run the rinse cycle.

Why Not Vinegar?

Vinegar is popular for drip coffee makers, but Nespresso recommends its own descaling solution for its machines. Using an unapproved descaler may affect parts and taste. If you choose another descaler, make sure it's suitable for espresso machines and rinse thoroughly.

Signs You Need to Descale

The descaling light or alert is on
Coffee is less hot than before
Flow is slower or the cup volume is smaller
Coffee tastes bitter or flat

Tips for Better Coffee

Use filtered water to slow scale buildup.
Change the tank water daily.
Don't leave used capsules sitting for days; they can grow mold.

Have a Keurig Too?

Read How to Clean and Descale a Keurig Coffee Maker. Clean your fridge's ice maker while you're at it: How to Clean an Ice Maker.

FAQ

Why won't my descaling light turn off?

Usually the machine didn't fully complete or exit descaling mode. Repeat the procedure for your exact model.

How long does descaling take?

About 20 minutes including the rinse.