A Nespresso makes great coffee fast. What it doesn’t do is clean itself. Most machines are quietly collecting buildup that hurts flavor, slows performance, and shortens their lifespan.
The good news? Keeping yours clean is simple.
This guide walks you through exactly how to clean your Nespresso, how often to do it, and the little tips that make every cup taste fresh again.
How to Clean a Nespresso Machine (Step-by-Step)
While it’s useful to know how to use a Nespresso machine, being able to properly clean it ensures it’ll last you as long as possible.
- Step 1: Turn off and unplug the machine. This ensures there’s no risk of electric shock or burning yourself on the components of the machine that get hot.
- Step 2: Empty the drip tray, pod container, and water tank. Once empty, clean each of them gently with soap and water, making sure to rinse them afterwards to remove any leftover soap residue.
- Step 3: Make sure everything dries before reassembling the machine and putting the water tank, pod container, and drip tray back in place.
- Step 4: While these parts dry, wipe down the exterior of the machine with a damp cloth to remove fingerprints, spills, dust, and other debris that may be stuck to it.
- Step 5: Once the Nespresso machine has been reassembled, run a water-only cycle to rinse the internal parts of the machine.
How to Descale a Nespresso Machine (Deep Cleaning Guide)
Like cleaning them, descaling a coffee maker is a relatively simple process with only a couple of steps to follow. For those unfamiliar, descaling is a deeper clean that looks to remove mineral deposits and limescale buildup from within your machine.
This is important to do every few months, depending on how much you use your machine. This buildup can negatively impact how it functions, shorten its lifespan, interfere with the heating element, and even hurt the flavor of every cup of coffee you make.
When descaling your Nespresso machine, there are two options to choose from. You can go with the descaling solution that Nespresso itself makes, or you can make a homemade solution by mixing water and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio.
Before we get to the steps for descaling your machine, it’s important to mention that they may vary slightly depending on your model.
How to Descale Your Nespresso (Quick Steps)
- Fill the tank with descaling solution (or a 1:1 vinegar + water mix).
- Place a large container under the spout to catch liquid.
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Start descaling mode according to your machine’s instructions
(usually involves holding a button or two until lights blink). - When the cycle finishes, run 1–2 tanks of clean water to rinse thoroughly.
Pro Cleaning Tips to Keep Your Nespresso in Top Shape
Here are a couple of practical and quick tips to keep in mind to help your Nespresso machine last as long as possible:
- Empty the pod container daily, so it never overflows or prevents the ejection functionality of the machine. Also, wet coffee grounds are a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, so you never want to let the used pods sit too long.
- Consider using filtered water when you brew, as this can help reduce the mineral buildup inside the machine.
- After you use the machine, leave the lid open for a while to help the interior of the machine air dry.
- If you think the nozzle or spout may be clogged, or it’s not functioning as well as usual, try cleaning it with a toothbrush or pin to free whatever debris is blocking it.
- If you’re having trouble remembering your Nespresso cleaning duties, consider setting up calendar reminders so you never forget.
Why It’s Important to Clean & Descale Your Nespresso Machine
A clean machine doesn’t just look good. It protects flavor, extends lifespan, and keeps things sanitary.
Coffee oils and residue build up fast. Leave them there and your coffee can turn bitter and muddy. Scale buildup also puts stress on internal parts, leading to clogs and costly breakdowns.
There’s a hygiene factor too. Moist, warm machines are perfect spots for mold and bacteria if you ignore them.
In short: clean machine, better coffee, longer life, fewer germs. Easy win.
How Often Should You Clean a Nespresso Machine?
Different parts need attention at different times:
Daily
- Empty + rinse the drip tray
- Clear out the used pod container
- Wipe away any spills or stray grounds
Weekly
- Rinse the water tank with fresh water
- Wipe down the exterior
Monthly
- Run a water-only rinse cycle
- Deep-clean the tank with warm, soapy water
Descale
- Follow the manufacturer’s schedule (usually every 3–6 months, depending on water hardness + usage)
FAQs: Cleaning & Maintaining Your Nespresso Machine
Still have questions about how to clean your Nespresso and keep it in good shape? If so, check out these common questions and their answers to learn more.
1. How Do I Run a Clean Cycle on My Nespresso Machine?
You can run a cleaning cycle on your Nespresso by using either a water-only rinse or the descaling mode, depending on your model.
2. What is the Difference Between Cleaning & Descaling a Nespresso Machine?
While both clean your Nespresso machine in some way, cleaning removes surface residue, while descaling is a deeper clean and may remove mineral buildup inside the machine. You should clean the machine frequently, but only need to descale it a couple of times a year.
3. Can I Use Vinegar to Descale My Nespresso?
Yes, mixing equal parts water and vinegar to descale your Nespresso is often okay, but check the manual for your model to make sure.
4. How Do You Make a Homemade Descaling Solution?
If you’d rather create your own natural descaler as opposed to buying one, it’s as easy as mixing water and vinegar.
5. How Long Will a Nespresso Machine Last?
If you treat it well, keep it clean, and descale it regularly, your Nespresso machine may last anywhere from five to 10 years.
6. Is it Safe to Drink Coffee After Descaling?
Yes, it’s fine to make coffee in your Nespresso and drink it after descaling the machine. However, to ensure all the residue gets removed from the cleaning, run a cycle of clean water through it to flush everything out.
7. What is the Best Homemade Descaler?
Mixing white vinegar and water is the most common and popular choice, but other options for homemade descalers include mixing citric acid with water, baking soda and water, or using lactic acid.
8. How Many Times Can You Use a Nespresso Pod?
Coffee pods like Nespresso pods are designed to be brewed only a single time. The initial brew takes out nearly all of the flavor and aroma from the grounds, so if you run it through again, your coffee will likely taste watered down and
9. How to Reset the Nespresso Machine?
Generally, you reset a Nespresso machine by turning it off and then holding down the brew button for around five seconds. However, these instructions may vary depending on your model. As a result, always consult the manual to learn the reset instructions for your specific machine.
10. How Do You Self-Clean a Nespresso Machine?
To self-clean a Nespresso, run a rinse cycle with no pod to allow the water to clean out the inside of the machine. To clean the outside, simply wipe down the external parts regularly with a damp cloth, and potentially a mild dish soap if water itself isn’t doing the trick.
