Tweet Pin it Reddit
I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

How To Descale Dolce Gusto Machines

If your Nescafe Dolce Gusto machine is showing an orange, amber or yellow light, then it is time to descale your coffee maker. The water used to brew your pods contains minerals that build up inside your 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 Dolce Gusto machine is not pumping water, it is because of this scale buildup.

Keep reading to learn more about how to descale Dolce Gusto coffee machines. To begin the process, you will need a descaling solution like one of those recommended below.

How Often To Descale Dolce Gusto Espresso Machines?

Dolce Gusto machines will have an alert light that turns on when it is time to descale. The alert is an orange light, but some people see it as a yellow light or amber light. However, you don’t have to wait for this signal. A good rule of thumb is that a you should descale your machine at least every 3 or 4 months. You should do this right away if you notice that coffee is coming out of your machine more slowly or that it is cooler than usual.

Descaling is needed whether you are using filtered water, bottled water or tap water with a low to normal mineral count. You should run this deep cleaning cycle more often if your tap has “hard water.” That means it contains higher level of minerals. If you are not sure about the level of minerals in your water, you can always get a low-cost water testing kit.

Can You Descale Dolce Gusto With Vinegar Or Another DIY Solution?

You should not use vinegar to descale Dolce Gusto machines. White vinegar contains 5-8% acetic acid. This type of acid can wear down metal and cause your machine to leak. Plus, vinegar cannot remove oils left by used coffee beans. Since Nescafe specifically warns against using vinegar, doing so may void your warranty.

Instead, the best way to clean your Nescafe machine is with one of the below solutions. They have safe and effective types of acids that won’t damage your machine.

Dolce Gusto Descaler Solutions

As an Amazon Associate, I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

In addition to one of the descaling kits below, for most models you will need to find the accessory that came with your machine. It may be stored in the bottom plate of the capsule bin. If you lost it, you can buy a replacement.

how to descale dolce gusto - descaler accessory
Dolce Gusto Descaler Accessory

Nescafe Dolce Gusto Descaler by Durgol (UK)

The official Dolce Gusto descaler is made by Durgol. This is the solution that Nescafe recommends you use to clean your machine. Each pack comes with two bottles.

DeLonghi EcoDecalk Descaler (UK or US)

De'Longhi Descaler to use when Nespresso half red half green light comes on

If you cannot find the Durgol brand, the DeLonghi EcoDecalk Descaler is another great choice. It is made in Italy with high quality, plant-based lactic acid. This solution can be used to solve a descaling issue with any espresso machine, including those made by Nescafe. A 16.90 fl oz bottle contains enough solution for up to 5 uses.

Impresa Coffee Machine Descaler (US)

Impresa Descaler to descale breville coffee and espresso machine

The Dolce Gusto cleaner is hard to find in the US. In addition to the Delonghi kit, the Impresa descaler is a top selling cleaner on Amazon. It has citric and sulfamic acids. Both of these are gentle on metal. Each pack contains two bottles. Each bottle has enough for two uses.

How To Descale Dolce Gusto Machines (UK Models, Krups or Delonghi)

We’ve summed up the step by step instructions on how to descale the most popular Dolce Gusto models. The steps are the same whether your Dolce Gusto is made by Krups or Delonghi. If the light stays on when you are done, repeat the process. This is likely to if you have gone longer than 4 months without using a descaling kit.

Jovia

Jovia
  1. Turn the machine off. Empty any water in the tank.
  2. Pour the solution into the machine, following the instructions on the descaler packaging.
  3. Open the locking handle. Insert the empty capsule holder into the unit. Close the locking handle.
  4. Place an empty large container under the coffee outlet.
  5. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds. It will start flashing orange when it enters descale mode.
  6. Push the selection lever to HOT to start descaling. The power button will blink orange.
  7. After 45 seconds, push the lever to STOP.
  8. Move the lever to COLD. The power button will blink orange.
  9. After 45 seconds, push the lever to STOP.
  10. Wait 2 minutes before going to the next step. This gives it time to clean the inside of the machine.
  11. Empty the container and place it under the outlet again. Empty and rinse the water tank. Refill the tank with fresh water only and place back on the machine.
  12. Repeat steps 6-9 to perform a rinse cycle.
  13. Pull out the capsule holder and remove the rinsing tool. Rinse the capsule holder with fresh water and then reinsert.
  14. Turn off the machine. Fill the water tank with fresh drinking water. It is now ready for use!

For a visual guide, see page 14 of the Jovia user manual.

Infinissima

Descaling Dolce Gusto Infinissima
Infinissima
  1. Turn the unit off. Remove any water left in the tank.
  2. Pour the solution into the machine, following the instructions on the descaler packaging.
  3. Open the locking handle. Put the rinsing tool into capsule holder. Insert the capsule holder into the machine. Close the locking handle.
  4. Place an empty large container under the coffee outlet.
  5. Push the selection lever to HOT to start descaling.
  6. When the tank is empty, push the lever to STOP. The light will turn a steady green when descaling is done.
  7. Wait 2 minutes before going to the next step. This gives it time to clean the inside of the machine.
  8. Empty the container and place it under the outlet again. Empty and rinse the water tank. Refill the tank with fresh water only and place back on the machine.
  9. Push the lever to HOT to start the rinse cycle. When the tank is empty, move the lever to STOP.
  10. Refill the tank to the max line. Move the lever to COLD to start the second rinse.
  11. When the tank is empty, move the lever to STOP.
  12. Pull out the capsule holder and remove the rinsing tool. Rinse the capsule holder with fresh water and then reinsert.
  13. Turn off the machine. Fill the water tank with fresh drinking water. It is now ready for use!

For a visual guide, see page 14 of the Infinissima user manual.

Piccolo XS

How To Descale Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS
Piccolo XS
  1. Turn the unit off. Empty any water in the tank.
  2. Pour the solution into the machine, following the instructions on the descaler packaging.
  3. Open the locking handle. Put the rinsing tool into capsule holder. Insert the capsule holder into the machine. Close the locking handle.
  4. Place an empty large container under the coffee outlet.
  5. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds. It will start to blink green and orange.
  6. Push the selection lever to HOT to start descaling.
  7. When the tank is empty, push the lever to STOP.
  8. Wait 2 minutes before going to the next step. This gives it time to clean the inside of the machine.
  9. Empty the container and place it under the outlet again. Empty and rinse the water tank. Refill the tank with clean water only and place back on the machine.
  10. Push the lever to HOT to start the rinse cycle. When the tank is half full, move the lever to STOP.
  11. Now move the lever to COLD. The light will blink green and orange.
  12. When the tank is empty, move the lever to STOP.
  13. Pull out the capsule holder and remove the rinsing tool. Rinse the capsule holder with fresh water and then reinsert.
  14. Turn off the machine. Fill the water tank with clean drinking water. It is now ready for use!

For a visual guide, see page 14 of the Piccolo XS user manual.

Mini Me

Mini Me
  1. Turn the machine off. Empty any water in the tank.
  2. Pour the solution into the machine, following the instructions on the descaler packaging.
  3. Open the locking handle. Insert the empty capsule holder into the machine. Close the locking handle.
  4. Place an empty large container under the coffee outlet.
  5. Use the volume selector to set the bar display to the max level. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds. It will start blinking green when it enters descale mode.
  6. Move the lever to the right. The unit will descale for 2 minutes. Starting and stopping during this time is normal.
  7. The lever will return to the middle position. The power button will blink green for 2 minutes while the solution cleans the inside of the unit.
  8. Empty the container and place it under the outlet again. Empty and rinse the water tank. Refill the tank with clean water only and place back on the machine.
  9. Push the lever to the right to start the rinse cycle. Wait until it comes back to the middle.
  10. Now move the lever to the left. Wait until it comes back to the middle and stops extracting.
  11. The power button will turn red. Wait for it to return to green, then power the machine off.
  12. Fill the water tank with fresh drinking water. Rinse both sides of the capsule holder. It is now ready for use!

For a visual guide, see page 14 of the Mini Me user manual.

Genio S / Genio S Plus / Genio S Touch

Genio S
  1. Turn the unit off. Empty any water in the tank.
  2. Pour the solution into the machine, following the instructions on the descaler packaging.
  3. Open the locking handle. Put the rinsing tool into capsule holder. Insert the capsule holder into the machine. Close the locking handle.
  4. Place an empty large container under the coffee outlet.
  5. To enter descaling mode, select XL and turn the control ring 4 times clockwise until the LED starts blinking.
  6. Press the start/stop button. The machine will start descaling and will continue in a start-stop process until the tank is empty.
  7. When it is done, you need to wait 2 minutes before taking the next step. The volume display bar will move down during this time and then disappear.
  8. The 4th level of the volume bar will start to flash.
  9. Empty the container and place it under the outlet again. Empty and rinse the water tank. Refill the tank with fresh water only and place back on the machine.
  10. Press the start/stop button to begin the rinse cycle. The rinse cycle will end when the tank is empty.
  11. The descaling orange light will turn off. The selection button will blink red, but steady when the machine is ready.
  12. Empty and rinse the water tank. Refill the tank with fresh water only and place back on the unit. Rinse both side of the capsule holder.

For a visual guide see page 16 of the Genie S user manual.

Dolce Gusto Descaling Instructions (US Models)

Follow these simple steps to descale your machine. If the light stays on when you are done, repeat the process. This is likely to happen if you have gone longer than 4 months without descaling.

Genio 2

Descaling Dolce Gusto Genio 2
Genio 2
  1. Turn the unit off. Remove any water left in the tank.
  2. Pour the solution into the machine, following the steps on the packaging.
  3. Open the locking handle. Put the rinsing tool into the empty capsule holder. Insert the capsule holder into the machine. Close the locking handle.
  4. Place an empty large container underneath the coffee outlet.
  5. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds. When the button starts flashing green, it is in descaling mode. Use the selection lever to set the bar display to the max level.
  6. Push the selection lever to the hot position. It will begin to descale in a start-stop operation for about 2 minutes. Then the lever will come back to the middle position.
  7. Push the selection lever to the cold position. The machine will continue to descale. Then the lever will come back to the middle position.
  8. The power button will blink green for 2 minutes while the solution continues to clean inside the unit.
  9. Empty the container and place it under the outlet again. Empty and rinse the water tank. Refill the tank with fresh water only and place back on the machine.
  10. Push the selection lever to the hot position to start the rinse cycle. Wait until the lever moves to the stop position. The extraction will stop.
  11. Push the selection lever to the cold position. Wait until the lever moves to the stop position. The extraction will stop.
  12. When the rinse cycle is done, the power button will be red. Wait for it to turn green. Turn off the unit.
  13. Pull out the capsule holder and remove the rinsing tool. Rinse the capsule holder with fresh water and then reinsert.
  14. Fill the water tank with fresh drinking water. It is now ready for use!

You may also see pages 13 and 14 of your user manual for a guide.

Esperta 2

Descaling Dolce Gusto Esperta 2
Esperta 2
  1. Turn the unit off. Remove any water left in the tank.
  2. Pour the solution into the machine, following the steps on the packaging.
  3. Open the locking handle. Put the rinsing tool into the empty capsule holder. Insert the capsule holder into the machine. Close the locking handle.
  4. Place an empty large container under the coffee outlet.
  5. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds. When the button starts flashing green, the machine is in descaling mode.
  6. Touch the hot water icon to begin the cycle. The solution-water mix will start going into the container. As it does so, the bar display light will start to vanish until the cycle is done.
  7. The machine will then pause for 2 minutes. Wait until the bar display stops blinking.
  8. Empty the container and place it back under the outlet. Empty and rinse the water tank. Refill the tank with fresh water only and place back on the machine.
  9. Touch the hot water button to start the rinse cycle. Wait until it stops and then empty the container.
  10. Touch the cold water button to continue the rinse cycle.
  11. At the end of the rinse cycle, the power button will turn red. Wait for it to turn green and then turn off the machine.
  12. Pull out the capsule holder and remove the rinsing tool. Rinse the capsule holder with fresh water and then reinsert.
  13. Fill the water tank with fresh drinking water. It is now ready for use!

You may also see pages 13 and 14 of your user manual for these instructions.

Magento

  1. Remove any water left in the tank and any filter if present. The capsule bin can be used as a container to catch the solution from the machine.
  2. When the unit prompts you to descale, tap START NOW. Follow the steps to complete the process.
  3. If the prompt is not there, simply go to settings. Then click on MACHINE CARE and select DESCALE.

Leave a Reply