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How To Clean Nespresso Machine For Better Tasting Coffee
Are you a new owner of a Nespresso machine looking for advice on how to clean it and keep it working at its best? Welcome to the club! You are in the right place to learn all about how to clean Nespresso machine.
Or maybe you have been using your Nespresso for a few months and are starting to notice that something is off. For example:
- The taste of your coffee is unusually bitter, burnt or metallic
- You see coffee grinds in your cup
- The temperature of your coffee is a bit cooler than it used to be
- Your machine is not pumping water or brewing the expected volume
- Pods are not being punctured correctly
Nespresso recommends regularly cleaning your coffee maker. If you haven’t been doing that, well… better late than never! Keep reading to learn how to clean Nespresso machines.
Nespresso Machine Cleaning Best Practices
Daily Nespresso Machine Cleaning
- Fill the tank on a daily basis using clean water.
- Always eject used coffee pods right after brewing. Never leave them in the pod holder. If you do coffee grinds can get stuck there leading to a burnt or bitter taste in your next cup.
- Empty the drip tray and capsule container to prevent overflowing and bacteria buildup.
- If your machine has any milk frothing attachments or accessories, be sure to wipe those down immediately after use and wash them at the end of the day.
- Original model owners: run a water only brew cycle with no pod in the unit to clean out any leftover grinds.
Weekly Nespresso Machine Cleaning
- Use a damp cloth with warm water or a mild spray to wipe down the exterior and under the coffee outlet.
- Vertuo owners: perform a cleaning cycle using water only, no abrasive agents (see instructions below)
Less Frequent Nespresso Machine Cleaning
About every 3 months or after 300 capsules, whichever comes first, you should run special descaling cycle to deep clean your Nespresso machine. If you have hard water, then you should do this more often. This process will remove limescale buildup inside your machine. If ignored, this can cause problems over time with water flow, water pressure and temperature. Learn about the descaling process for your Vertuo machine or Original machine. You’ll need to buy a solution for descaling.
Why Cleaning Nespresso Machine With Vinegar Is A Bad Idea
Thinking about cleaning Nespresso with vinegar? Don’t! For weekly care, all you need is fresh drinking water. In fact, Nespresso specifically warns that you shouldn’t use vinegar with your Vertuo or Original model. White vinegar contains 5-8% acetic acid. This type of acid can wear down metal and cause your machine to leak. As a result, using vinegar can void the warranty on your coffee maker.
How To Clean Nespresso Machine: Step-By-Step Instructions
Vertuo Next, Vertuo, Evoluo or Vertuo Pop
- Rinse the water tank
- Fill the water reservoir with water and put it back on the coffee maker
- Place a large container under the outlet
- Eject any used capsule from the holder
- Turn the machine on and turn the lever left to the lock position
- Once the coffee maker has finished heating up, push the brew button 3 times within 2 seconds
- Within 2 minutes, water will start flowing out. The procedure will then run for 2-5 minutes depending on your model. The orange light will blink during this process.
- Wipe the coffee outlet with a damp cloth
Vertuo Plus or Vertuo Plus Deluxe
- Rinse the water tank
- Fill the water reservoir with fresh drinking water
- Place a large container under the outlet
- Eject any used capsule from the holder
- Turn the unit on
- Push the brew button 3 times within 2 seconds
- Within 2 minutes, water will start flowing out. The procedure will then run for 2-5 minutes. The light will blink orange when the process is complete.
- Wipe the coffee outlet with a damp cloth
Creatista Pro
- After frothing milk, wipe down the steam wand immediately with a damp cloth.
- Remove the used capsule container and wipe down inside the machine with a damp cloth.
- Eject the used pod. Place a cup under the outlet and run a rinse cycle by selecting the espresso or lungo option.
- Fill the milk jug with water to the max lines. Place the steam wand in the jug.
- Select RINSE STEAM WAND in the menu. When done, discard the water and wipe down the steam wand with a damp cloth.
- Rinse the milk jug between each use. Wash with a mild detergent or in the dishwasher at the end of each day.
- You will also want to clean the steam wand parts on a monthly basis or when prompted by the machine. Go to menu selection and select CLEAN STEAM WAND. It will take about 10 minutes. Remove the water tank to access the cleaning tool and follow the instructions on the touch screen.
Creatista Plus
- After frothing milk, wipe down the steam wand immediately with a damp cloth.
- Remove the used capsule container and wipe down inside the machine with a damp cloth.
- Eject the used pod. Place a cup under the outlet and run a rinse cycle by selecting the espresso or lungo option.
- Fill the milk jug with fresh water half way between the min and max lines. Place the steam wand in the jug.
- Select the milk function and press start. When done, discard the water and wipe down the steam wand.
- Rinse the milk jug between each use. Use a mild soap or put it in the dishwasher at the end of each day.
- You will also want to clean the steam wand parts on a monthly basis or when prompted by the machine.
Creatista Uno
- After frothing milk, wipe down the steam wand immediately with a damp cloth.
- Remove the used capsule container and wipe down inside the machine with a damp cloth. Also wipe the coffee outlet.
- Eject the used pod. Place a cup under the outlet and run a rinse cycle by selecting the espresso or lungo option.
- Fill the milk jug with fresh water half way between the min and max lines. Place the steam wand in the jug.
- Press the steam button to start the wand rinse. When done, discard the water and wipe down the steam wand.
- Rinse the milk jug between each use. Use a mild soap or clean it in the dishwasher at the end of each day.
- You will also want to clean the steam wand parts on a monthly basis or when prompted by the machine.
Lattissima Pro
- After every use, remove the used Nespresso capsule.
- With no pod in the machine, run an espresso or lungo cycle to rinse the machine with water.
- Wipe the coffee outlet with a soft damp cloth.
- Rinse away any residue on the hot water nozzle with water and a damp cloth.
- Wash all components of the rapid cappuccino system in the top rack of your dishwasher or by hand. No other machine components should go in the dishwasher! If washing by hand, soak in hot water with mild detergent for at least 30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
Lattissima One
- Eject the used pod. Place a cup or container under the outlet and press the Lungo button to run a rinse cycle.
- Wipe the outlet and coffee maker surface with a damp cloth.
- At the end of each day, wash the rapid cappuccino system.
- Press the buttons on the sides of the milk jug to remove it.
- Unplug the tube. Position the milk spout vertically to disassemble it.
- Turn the the connector to the unlock symbol and remove it.
- Turn the milk froth regulator knob to the remove knob position and remove it.
- Wash all components of the rapid cappuccino system in the top rack of your dishwasher or by hand. No other components should go in the dishwasher! If washing by hand, soak in hot water with mild detergent for at least 30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
Gran Lattissima
- After each coffee preparation, you will want to empty the used capsule and press the Lungo button to rinse the machine.
- To rinse the rapid cappuccino system in between uses, place a container under the outlet. Turn the milk froth knob to clean position to start the process. Hot water and steam will flow through the milk spout. The rinsing process will stop automatically. Turn the knob to froth position.
- At the end of each day, wash the rapid cappuccino system.
- Press the buttons on the sides of the milk jug to remove it.
- Unplug the tube. Position the milk spout vertically to take it apart.
- Turn the the connector to the unlock symbol and remove it.
- Turn the milk froth regulator knob to the remove knob position and remove it.
- Wash all components of the rapid cappuccino system in the top rack of your dishwasher or by hand. No other components should go in the dishwasher! If washing by hand, soak in hot water with mild detergent for at least 30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
Inissia, Pixie, Essenza Mini, Essenza Plus and CitiZ
- Rinse the water tank and fill it with fresh drinking water
- Place a cup under the outlet
- Eject any used capsule from the holder
- Turn the unit on
- Press either the espresso or lungo button and let the water flow through the unit
- Wipe the coffee outlet with a damp cloth
Thank you for so much valuable information. I am a new Nespresso owner and was contemplating returning the machine. My husband says the coffees are too bitter. Now I know to add hot water to his brews to create Americanos. Wish there were more decafs available as that is what most doctors today are recommending. Your cleaning advice and general machine information has been very helpful.
You are very welcome!