How To Descale Nespresso Vertuo Machines The Right Way

The water used to brew your pods contains minerals that build up inside your Nespresso Vertuoline machine; descaling removes those minerals. If left untreated, these minerals can have a negative impact on the temperature and taste of your coffee as well as the machine’s water flow. If your Nespresso Vertuo is not pumping water, it is because of this scale buildup. Keep reading to learn more about how to descale Nespresso Vertuo machines, with step by step descaling instructions for the Vertuo Next, VertuoPlus, Vertuo and Evoluo. To begin the process, you will need a descaling solution kit like one of those we review below.

How Often To Descale Nespresso Vertuo Machines

In addition to weekly cleaning, Nespresso recommends you descale your Vertuoline coffee maker every 3 months or 300 capsules, whichever comes first. If your tap has “hard water,” meaning it contains higher level of minerals, then you should do this more frequently. If you are not sure about the level of minerals in your water, you can get a low-cost water testing kit.

The Nespresso Vertuoline has a light that will let you know that it is time to descale. On the VertuoPlus, the light will be half red and half green, though the green may look yellow to some people. On The Vertuo Next, Vertuo and Evoluo it will be an orange blinking light. To some people, this light may look yellow. You can still use your machine a few times after this warning light turns on, but it’s best to descale soon as possible.

If your machine is not pumping water, or if your coffee is no longer hot enough, that is another sign that your brewer needs maintenance.

It takes around 20 minutes to finish the process. It cannot be stopped so be sure to start only once you have all of the supplies you need and have enough time to finish it.

Why Descaling Nespresso Vertuoline With Vinegar Is A Bad Idea

Nespresso instructions warn that you should NOT use vinegar when you descale your Vertuo machine. White vinegar contains 5-8% acetic acid. This specific type of acid can wear down metal and cause your unit to leak. As a result, using vinegar can void the warranty on your machine.

Instead of damaging your machine by using vinegar, you can use one of these descaling kits to maintain your Nespresso Vertuo. These kits contain safer and effective types of acids.

Nespresso Vertuo Descaling Solutions

Nespresso Descaling Solution

This is the official descaling solution kit made by Nespresso. It is compatible with all Vertuo models. Nespresso strongly recommends using this vs any other descaler. This lactic acid based solution will gently eliminate the lime scale that has built up in your machine. Each pack contains 2 kits, so you’ll get two total uses out of it.

Caffenu Eco Descaler

The Eco Descaler by Caffenu is a more affordable descaler that also uses lactic acid like the Nespresso solution. It is also phosphate free. Each pack contains two bottles, which is good for a total of four uses. If you descale every 3 months, that is a one year supply.

Impresa Coffee Machine Descaler

The Impresa descaler is a top selling coffee machine descaler. It uses citric and sulfamic acids. Both are gentle on metal and aluminum. A pack has two bottles, each enough solution for two uses.

How To Descale Nespresso Vertuo Coffee Makers

How To Descale Nespresso Vertuo Next

You need a descaling solution. If you would like to see an illustrated step by step for how to descale the Nespresso Vertuo Next, please click to see pdf pages 21-23 in the user manual.

1. Empty the capsule container. Remove the drip tray and empty it.
2. Add the solution and clean water to the tank, following the instructions on your solution.
3. Close and lock the machine to turn it on. Allow it to heat up. When the light stops flashing, it has finished heating up.
4. Open the machine head and empty any used capsule. Close it and leave the lever in unlocked position towards the front.
5. Press and hold the button for at least 7 seconds to enter descaling mode. The button will blink rapidly when it is ready. You then have 45 seconds to start the next steps in the descaling process.
6. Turn the lever left towards the lock symbol, then unlock by turning right. Hold the button in the unlocked position for at least 7 seconds.
7. Place a container that is at least 34 fl oz under the coffee outlet.
8. To start descaling, turn the lever left to lock the machine. Push the button. It will stop when the first phase is done.
9. Empty and rinse the water tank, drip tray and cup support.
10. Fill the water tank with fresh water. Push the button to rinse.
11. When the light stops flashing and becomes steady, the process is done.
12. Let it sit and dry for at least 10 minutes.

How To Descale Nespresso Vertuo Plus

The descale instructions for Nespresso Vertuo Plus are a bit different than other models. You need a descaling solution. If you would like to see an illustrated step by step guide for the VertuoPlus, click on the link and see pages 21-23 in the user manual.

1. Turn the machine on by pressing the button.
2. Eject any used capsule. Push the lever down to close.
3. Push the lever for 3 seconds to turn off the coffee maker. Empty the cup support and capsule container.
4. Add the solution and water to the tank, following the instructions on your kit.
5. Start descaling by pushing the button and lever down at the same time for 3 seconds. An orange light will turn on.
6. Press the lever down one time in the next 2 minutes to select descaling. An orange light will come on.
7. Place a 20 fl oz bowl under the coffee outlet.
8. Click on the button to start. It will stop when the process is done.
9. Empty and rinse the water tank and cup support. Then fill the tank with fresh water and put it back.
10. Push the button again to rinse. It will stop when it is complete, but you can also stop the process by pushing the button once the orange light flashes every 2 seconds.
11. Press the button and the lever down for 3 seconds to exit descaling mode. The light should turn green.
12. Let it sit and dry for 10 minutes before use.

Nespresso Vertuo Descaling Instructions

You need a descaling solution. You may also see pdf pages 18-19 in the Vertuo manual.

1. Empty the capsule container and drip tray.
2. Add the solution and water to the tank, following the instructions on your solution.
3. Turn the unit on and wait for the light to steady to signal that it is heated.
4. Open the machine and empty any used capsules. Close it and leave the lever in unlocked position towards the front.
5. Hold the button for 7 seconds to enter descaling mode. The button will blink rapidly when ready. You then have 45 seconds to start the next steps.
6. Turn the lever left towards the lock symbol and then turn right to unlock. Hold the button in the unlocked position for 7 seconds.
7. Place a 20 fl oz container under the outlet.
8. To start, turn the lever left to lock the machine. Push the button. It will stop when the first phase is done.
9. Empty and rinse the water tank, drip tray and cup support.
10. Fill more than half of the tank with fresh water. Push the button to rinse. It will stop when complete.
11. Push the button for 7 seconds to exit the descaling mode. The button will become steady.
12. Let it sit for 10 minutes to dry before use.

Nespresso Evoluo Descale Instructions

You need a descaling solution. You may also see pdf pages 18-19 in the Evoluo manual.

1. Turn the unit on and wait for the light to steady to signal it is heated.
2. Empty the capsule container and cup support.
3. Open the machine and empty any used capsules. Close it and leave the lever in unlocked position towards the front.
4. Add the solution and water to the tank, following the instructions on your solution.
5. Hold the button for 7 seconds to enter descaling mode. The button will blink rapidly when ready. You then have 45 seconds to start the next steps.
6. Turn the lever left towards the lock symbol and then turn right to unlock. Hold the button in the unlocked position for 7 seconds.
7. Place a 20 fl oz container under the outlet.
8. To start, turn the lever left to lock the machine. Push the button. It will stop when the first phase is done.
9. Empty and rinse the water tank, drip tray and cup support.
10. Fill more than half of the tank with fresh water. Push the button to rinse. It will stop when complete.
11. Push the button for 7 seconds to exit the descaling mode. The button will become steady.
12. Let it sit for 10 minutes to dry before use.

What To Do If the Light Stays On After Descaling?

The descale light should reset automatically if you followed the instructions all the way through without interruption. You shouldn’t have to do anything. If the Vertuoline descale light stays on on, then it is likely that extra scale has built up inside your coffee maker. If you have not been properly cleaning your Nespresso, this is not surprising. Take a look at the following questions. Answering yes to any of them, means you’ll need to repeat the Nespresso Vertuoline descaling steps using the solution at least one or two more times.

• Have you been ignoring the descale light for a while?
• Has it been a lot longer than 3 months since you last descaled?
• Do you have really hard water?

If you have been taking good care of your machine and the descale light stays on after the first deep clean, open and close the brew head and see if that makes the light turn off. If not, you may need to reset your Nespresso. Light still on? Try running through a descaling cycle again, but use only water and not solution this time. Be sure that the water tank completely empties itself during the descaling and rinsing cycles.

For future reference, bookmark this page for a guide to other light alerts your machine may display.

If you also have an Original line brewer, bookmark our guide to descaling a Nespresso Lattissima, CitiZ, Essenza, Pixie or Creatista machine.