The Simplest Way to Clean a Nespresso Machine (It’s Easier Than You Think!)

Dana McMahan
Dana McMahan
Freelance writer Dana McMahan is a chronic adventurer, serial learner, and whiskey enthusiast based in Louisville, Kentucky.
updated Jan 31, 2025
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There are things we all rely on to get us through the day — for me, as soon as my feet hit the floor, I’m thinking about coffee. I’ve shared my love for (or obsession with, if we’re being honest) my Nespresso before. And after trying dozens of machines, there’s just something special about brewing your own cafe-grade cup in the comfort of your kitchen.

After more than two years of daily use, I’m embarrassed to say I had never actually cleaned my Nespresso machine. I noticed it was slow to start sometimes, and that I had to hit the start button more than once some days. (You may start to notice your brews taste a little different, too.) It turns out you really should be cleaning this thing! According to Nespresso, “If you use your machine on a daily basis, it’s good form to clean your machine just as regularly.” And roughly every three months, you should be descaling it, too. (If you’re ever in doubt, read the owner’s manual.) 

Sadly, I no longer have the manual for my VertuoPlus, but luckily, Nespresso’s website has super-detailed instructions, including videos, on how to care for their entire lineup. There’s even a cleaning cycle you can run with just water that only takes a few minutes. Here’s everything you need to know about how to clean (and descale) your Nespresso machine.

Note: This is for cleaning Nespresso’s VertuoPlus machine, though the steps should work for most models. You can always check the Nespresso site, as the directions could be slightly different depending on the model you have.

Credit: Sarah Crowley

How to Clean a Nespresso Machine

What You’ll Need

Credit: Sarah Crowley

1. Clean the water tank.

Remove the water tank from the machine and clean it with a gentle dish soap. (Don’t put this or any other part in the dishwasher, submerge them, or use anything abrasive.) Then, rinse it well under running water. Refill the water tank with fresh water and put it back in place on the Nespresso. 

Credit: Sarah Crowley

2. Clean the cup support.

Remove the cup support shelf and clean it like you did the tank, then set it aside to dry.

Credit: Sarah Crowley

3. Clean the capsule container.

Eject or remove any used capsules, then wash the capsule container with dish soap.  

Credit: Sarah Crowley

4. Wipe down the capsule head.

Using a dish cloth that’s damp with water, wipe the capsule head well.  

Credit: Sarah Crowley

5. Wipe down the machine.

Wipe the outside of the machine with a damp cloth, and use a gentle cleanser if you like for some extra shine. 

Credit: Sarah Crowley

6. Run the machine’s cleaning cycle.

Set a container that holds at least four cups under the head. Press the start button three times, quickly, within two seconds, and wait for the cycle to run. It takes about five minutes for three cycles of water to run through. 

Credit: Sarah Crowley

7. Reassemble the machine.

Put the cup support and capsule container back into place. 

The Difference Between Cleaning and Descaling Your Nespresso Machine

So you’ve cleaned your Nespresso, but that doesn’t necessarily take care of the mineral buildup formed by the water the machine uses as it heats up. To remove that, you’ll also need to descale it. But how, and how often?

I reached out to Brian Mulay, machine specialist at Nespresso, who offered the following rule of thumb: “Nespresso coffee machines are state of the art and, like any appliance, regular cleaning is essential. Over time, water used during brewing may cause internal mineral build up, which can affect the flow, temperature, and overall performance of your machine. Nespresso recommends you descale your machine on a regular basis: every three months or every 300 capsules (whichever comes first).”

A descaling alert, which may appear as a green and red light, means your machine needs to be cleaned and descaled ASAP, so when you see it pop on, follow the steps below. (If your coffee tastes more bitter than usual, the machine is slower, or you’re noticing strange noises, that’s a good indication it should be descaled as well.)

Nespresso recommends using their descaling kit, as other solutions, such as vinegar, may cause damage to the machine.

Credit: Sarah Crowley

How to Descale a Nespresso Machine

  1. Get the machine ready: Eject any remaining capsules and turn the machine off by pressing the lever down for three seconds. (The lever is on the lid; it’s what you push to put your capsule in!).
  2. Add the descaling agent: Fill the tank with one packet of descaling agent and 28 ounces of water.
  3. Run the cycle: While the machine is off, press the button and lever at the same time for three seconds. Press the lever, then press the button. (This can be tricky — you may see an orange light appear, which means you’ve done it correctly.) The descaling cycle will run, taking about 15 minutes. The machine will stop when it’s done.
  4. Run another cycle with just water: Empty and clean the water tank, and refill it with fresh water. Replace the tank and press the button to run through a full cycle of clean water. The machine will stop when it’s done.
  5. Exit the descaling process: Do this by pressing the button and lever at the same time for three seconds. Wipe down the machine with a damp cloth and let it dry for 10 minutes before you use it again.