How to Clean a Nespresso Capsule Coffee Machine

Nespresso is a well-known brand for single-use capsule coffee machines. Although these coffee makers have a simple design, they require regular cleaning. You should clean the drip tray, capsule container, and replace the water daily. Descaling every three months helps deep clean and maintain the machine's optimal performance.

Clean the drip tray daily. Every day, remove the drip tray from the Nespresso machine and clean it with dish soap and a clean cloth. Make sure to scrub off any accumulated residue. Rinse the tray with warm water and let it dry.

• Next, clean the used capsule container in the same way.
• If not cleaned properly, the drip tray can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold.

Wash the water tank daily. While cleaning the drip tray, remove the water tank and its lid from the machine. Clean both parts with mild dish soap, then rinse with warm water to remove any residue. If you use your Nespresso machine infrequently, consider washing the lid and water tank every few days.

• Let the lid and water tank air dry before reassembling. You can also dry them with a clean cloth.
• Avoid leaving standing water in the tank, as it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold.

Wipe the capsule detection lens with a soft cloth. Gently clean the capsule detection lens using a dry, soft cloth. No soap or water is needed. Simply remove any stains or smudges from the lens.

• The capsule detection sensor is located inside the machine. You can access it after removing the maintenance module attached to the drip tray and cup holder.

Regularly wipe external parts. The coffee extraction unit and the machine's exterior require frequent cleaning. Wipe the coffee maker with a clean, damp cloth several times a week.

• The extraction unit is where the coffee drips into the cup. Use a cloth to remove any residue buildup.
• Clean the outer edges and inner walls of the capsule container.

Avoid using harsh cleaning agents on your Nespresso machine. When cleaning the machine, never use strong or corrosive cleaning agents. Stick to mild, unscented detergents. Use a soft cloth for wiping and avoid abrasive sponges.

• Never submerge any part of the coffee machine in water or other liquids.

Descale every three months. Your Nespresso machine should be descaled approximately every three months. If you frequently brew coffee, descale after every 300 capsules. Some models with indicator lights will flash when descaling is needed.

• If your machine is connected to an online app, it will notify you when it’s time to descale.

Prepare the machine. Before starting, remove all capsules from the container. Clean the drip tray thoroughly. Reassemble the parts and turn on the machine.

Activate the descaling mode. Depending on your machine model, press specific buttons to initiate descaling mode. The buttons will flash, and you can release them when you hear a beep. The descaling process will begin.

• For VertuoLine models, press and hold a single button for about 7 seconds.
• For Pixie, Inissia, and CitiZ models, press and hold two flashing buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds.
• For Prodigio models, press and hold three coffee buttons together for 6 seconds.

Pour descaling solution into the water tank. Add a packet of Nespresso descaling solution to the water tank, followed by 0.5 liters of water. Close the lid and place a large container under the coffee outlet to collect the water.

• You can purchase descaling solution from the Nespresso website.

Make your own descaling solution. If you prefer not to use commercial descaling solutions, you can create your own and add it to the water tank as described. Before using a homemade solution, consult the user manual or contact the manufacturer to ensure it’s safe for your machine.

• You can make a descaling solution using citric acid. Mix 1 part citric acid with 20 parts water. Alternatively, lemon juice or vinegar diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio works well.
• If using citric acid or lemon juice, rinse the machine twice before brewing coffee. If using vinegar, run 5 additional rinse cycles to eliminate the odor.

Start the descaling process. Press any flashing button to begin descaling. The solution will flow through the machine and drip into the container placed under the coffee outlet.

• The machine will stop dripping water through the outlet once the cycle is complete.

Repeat the descaling process. Pour the solution from the container back into the water tank and start the descaling process again. Press one of the flashing buttons to initiate the cycle. The machine will operate as before, stopping once all the water has been extracted into the container.

Rinse all parts. Discard the used descaling solution. Remove the water tank, drip tray, and cup holder, then rinse them thoroughly with warm water. Ensure all residual descaling solution is completely washed off.

• After rinsing and drying the parts, reassemble them into the machine.

Rinse the machine. Fill the water tank with clean water and place a container under the coffee outlet. Press one of the flashing buttons to start rinsing the machine with water. This will flush out any remaining descaling solution. Discard the water from the container afterward.

• Refill the tank with clean water and press the flashing button to rinse the machine once more.

Exit descaling mode. After rinsing the machine twice, the descaling process is complete. Press all buttons until the machine beeps, indicating that descaling mode has been exited.

• Allow the machine to dry for at least 10 minutes before use.