How to descale a Nespresso machine (2024)

Just like with any coffee machine, you’ll need to make sure that you frequently descale your Nespresso machine to prevent the build up of limescale.

Most Nespresso machines should have a warning light that indicates when you need to descale it. If you see a red or orange light, despite the Nespresso machine being supplied with water, then it likely means that it needs a descale. On some machines, such as the Nespresso VertuoPlus, the status light is half orange and half green.

But how do you perform a descale on a Nespresso machine without damaging it? We’ve detailed the steps below, so keep on reading for the full breakdown.

What you’ll need

  • A Nespresso machine
  • Descaler or lemon juice

The Short Version

  1. Choose your descaling fluid
  2. Add the descaling liquid
  3. Put your machine into descaling mode
  4. Rinse with cold water
  5. Take the machine out of descaling mode
  1. Step
    1

    Choose your descaling fluid

    How to descale a Nespresso machine (1)

    You need to use a descaler in your Nespresso machine. Nespresso sells its own version, which comes in a pack with two sachets, but you can use any commercially available descaler instead, just make sure that you follow the instructions on the amount to use. We’ve used Nespresso descaler here for this guide, which you can purchase from Amazon as shown below.

    You can use alternative substances, such as lemon juice or vinegar. We don’t recommend using vinegar, because of the horrendous smell it causes. Lemon juice can work, but you need a fair amount of juice, which will probably work out more hassle than using descaling fluid.

    How to descale a Nespresso machine (2)

  2. Step
    2

    Add the descaling liquid

    How to descale a Nespresso machine (3)

    Next, you need to add descaler into the water tank of your machine. Nespresso recommends that you add 0.5-litres of water to a sachet of descaling solution. Don’t go overboard with the Vertuo range, as these have much bigger water tanks and you don’t want to dilute the descaler too far.

    Once you have your descaling fluid, place the water tank back in place and make sure that you have an empty receptacle big enough to take all of the water, placed under the spout (you can remove the drip tray if required). As the machines run water and descaler through in bursts, you can use two containers, and switch them out when one is full.
    How to descale a Nespresso machine (4)

  3. Step
    3

    Put your machine into descaling mode

    How to descale a Nespresso machine (5)

    First, make sure that there’s no capsule inserted by opening and closing the machine, then turn it off. For some machines there’s a physical power button, for others you have to press and hold a button, such as with the VertuoPlus where you press and hold down the lever on the front.

    Next, you need to put the machine into descaling mode. How to do this differs from machine to machine, so you’ll want to refer to the manual or download this from the Nespresso website.

    For example, with the Nespresso VertuoPlus, you have to hold the button down and simultaneously press down on the lever on top for three seconds. Then press down on the lever. With the Nespresso Pixie machine, you have to turn on the machine and then press and hold both coffee buttons (espresso and lungo) for three seconds until the lights start blinking.

    Next, you need to press the button to wash the cleaning fluid through the machine. With the VertuoPlus this is the only button; for the Pixie, press the Lungo button. Check your machine’s manual to make sure that you’ve got it right. This will run the cleaning fluid through the machine, which will stop when the tank is empty.
    How to descale a Nespresso machine (6)

  4. Step
    4

    Rinse with cold water

    How to descale a Nespresso machine (7)

    Next, you need to rinse the machine out with cold water, so make sure you have an empty water container under the spout that can take the full amount of water the machine holds. If you don’t have one big enough, you can use two and swap one out when it’s full and the machine is on pause between dispensing water.

    With a regular Nespresso machine, you need to rinse twice. Each time fill the cold water reservoir to the top and then press the button you used to run the cleaning cycle to flush through the water. Repeat for the second run of cold water.

    If you have a Nespresso Vertuo machine, you get a larger water reservoir, so you only need to flush once with the full water capacity.How to descale a Nespresso machine (8)

  5. Step
    5

    Take the machine out of descaling mode

    How to descale a Nespresso machine (9)

    Once done, you need to take the machine out of the descaling mode. This is usually done by pressing the same button combination you used to put the machine into descaling mode. So, for the VertuoPlus, it’s down lever and the main button together for three seconds; for the Pixie, it’s both the espresso and lungo buttons for three seconds. Check your machine’s manual for the right details.

    Once out of descaling mode, you can add capsules and make coffee in the normal way and you won’t need to run the machine in descaling mode until the maintenance light comes up.
    How to descale a Nespresso machine (10)

Troubleshooting

How do I run the cleaning cycle on my Nespresso machine?

This differs for each machine. With the Nespresso VertuoPlus, you have to hold the button down and simultaneously press down on the lever on top for three seconds. Then press down on the lever.

Yet, with the Nespresso Pixie machine, you have to instead press and hold both coffee buttons (espresso and lungo) for three seconds until the lights start blinking. Each machine will have a different solution, so it’s worth checking the manual.

How do I get my Nespresso next out of descaling mode?

This is usually done by pressing the same button combination you used to put the machine into descaling mode. Check the machine’s manual if this isn’t working.

How do I descale my Nespresso machine without a descaler?

It’s possible to use vinegar or lemon juice instead. We wouldn’t recommend the former as it can cause a strong unpleasant smell, while it requires a lot of lemon juice for a worthwhile descale. As a result, purchasing a proper descaler is always the best solution.

You might like…

How to quickly and easily get more space in Google Drive

Jessica Gorringe3 hours ago

How to recover deleted messages from Instagram

Max Parker1 day ago

How to scan documents with your iPhone

Max Parker1 day ago

How to find your lost Apple AirPods in a few simple steps

Max Parker1 day ago

Wimbledon in 4K HDR: Can you stream the tennis in 4K?

Kob Monney2 days ago

How to increase the text size on a MacBook

Jessica Gorringe3 days ago

How to descale a Nespresso machine (2024)

FAQs

How to descale a Nespresso machine? ›

Fill water tank with 1 packet of Nespresso descaling solution and 17 ounces of water. Make sure there is no capsule in the machine. Close machine head and lock the lever to the left to turn the machine on. Wait until the light is steady (approx. 30 seconds).

How do I clean and descale my Nespresso machine? ›

Fill water tank with 1 packet of Nespresso descaling solution and 17 ounces of water. Make sure there is no capsule in the machine. Close machine head and lock the lever to the left to turn the machine on. Wait until the light is steady (approx. 30 seconds).

How do you descale a Nespresso machine without a descaling solution? ›

Descaling your Nespresso machine naturally

If you don't want to use a Nespresso descaling solution, you can make your own with natural ingredients. Make a natural descaling solution by mixing either 1 tablespoon citric acid and 18 ounces water, or 6 ounces white vinegar and 12 ounces water.

Can I use vinegar and water to descale my Nespresso machine? ›

It's important to never use vinegar to descale your Nespresso coffee machine. Doing so can cause serious damage to your machine. It's always best to use a Nespresso Descaling Kit and follow your user manual when descaling.

How to put Nespresso Vertuo in cleaning mode? ›

Close the machine head and turn the lever into “LOCKED” position (Vertuo®* Plus locks automatically). 5. Push the button 3 times within 2 seconds to start the cleaning cycle. The light will blink during the cycle.

How do I reset my Nespresso without descaling? ›

Turn off the machine's power button. Then hold Lungo button for 5 seconds while the machine is turned off. The buttons will flash rapidly three times, and your Nespresso Inissia® has now been restored to factory settings.

Can I use baking soda to descale my Nespresso machine? ›

Add the salt directly into the water tank of your coffee maker. Add in your baking soda a bit at a time to prevent the solution from bubbling over. You will need to add around a fourth of a cup to half a cup of baking soda in the coffee machine.

Can I make my own descaling solution? ›

Baking Soda Descaling Solution

All you need is baking soda and water to get the job done in a few simple steps: Remove the filter and pour warm water into the reservoir. Pour ¼ cup of baking soda into the reservoir and let it dissolve. Run a brewing cycle and discard the water in the pot when you're done.

What happens if I don't descale my Nespresso machine? ›

Calcium and Magnesium Build-up in Nespresso® Machines

Each brew with your Nespresso® machine causes the deposits to accumulate and develop limescale. Accumulation of limescale on your machine's heating components prevents them from heating the water to its optimal temperature, resulting in cold, poor-tasting coffee.

Can you descale a Nespresso but still not work? ›

Often, when a Nespresso requires descaling and excessive scale buildup or debris, the machine will not detect the completed descaling process and will get stuck. Another cause may be that the machine has been descaled but was not descaled using the setting. As a result, the machine may not even brew a cup.

What is a substitute for descaling solution? ›

Vinegar is more effective than most descaling solutions and much less expensive. With either, do run through a tank or two of water (preferably distilled) afterwards to remove the vinegar. Please note: If in your Keurig (or any other coffee maker) you always use distilled water, you will rarely need to descale.

Can I use something else to descale my Nespresso? ›

Nespresso machines should be descaled with a Nespresso Descaling Kit which contains a natural solution that thoroughly dissolves the scale build up. Other solutions (such as vinegar or store-bought descalers) may cause damage to your Nespresso machine. Keep descaling solution out of reach of children.

How do I descale my Nespresso machine? ›

Fill the water tank halfway full with water and pour in 1 packet of descaling solution. Refill the water tank with the used solution. Simultaneously press and hold both cup buttons for 3 seconds. The cup buttons will blink quickly and simultaneously.

How much vinegar do I use to descale? ›

If the Keurig descaling solution isn't on hand, white vinegar is the cleaning solution you can have on hand. You'll want to do equal parts water and vinegar. Fill the reservoir about halfway with white vinegar, and then add water until you reach the top.

Why won't my Nespresso machine finish descaling? ›

Repeat the Descaling Process

If your Nespresso machine continues to display the descaling mode message even after completing the process, it is advisable to run the descaling cycle again. In such situations, we suggest running the descaling cycle two to three times to effectively tackle the problem.

What happens if you don't descale Nespresso? ›

Mineral scale buildup can clog water flow, and if not removed, can cause a machine to stop working. Your coffee won't be hot enough to enjoy.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Prof. An Powlowski

Last Updated:

Views: 6353

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. An Powlowski

Birthday: 1992-09-29

Address: Apt. 994 8891 Orval Hill, Brittnyburgh, AZ 41023-0398

Phone: +26417467956738

Job: District Marketing Strategist

Hobby: Embroidery, Bodybuilding, Motor sports, Amateur radio, Wood carving, Whittling, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Prof. An Powlowski, I am a charming, helpful, attractive, good, graceful, thoughtful, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.