Whether you like your coffee first thing or during the mid-afternoon lull, there’s a single element that unites every coffee experience – the taste.
At Nespresso, our coffee is designed to enliven your senses every time you sip. All you need to do is load a capsule into your machine and press one button. The result: rich aromas, bold flavours, gorgeous textures, all in a matter of moments.
In fact, the Nespresso coffee experience is so consistent that you’ll know in the space of a sip if something isn’t quite right; a sign that it’s time to clean your Nespresso machine.
It’s a fact of modern life that we’re busier than ever – which is to say, we know it can be easy to leave your coffee machine for days or even weeks without giving it a clean.
But keeping your machine in good working order – by cleaning and descaling – is essential for delivering those beautifully balanced Nespresso flavours.
Cleaning and descaling are two distinct actions. In short, while you should clean your machine regularly, even daily, you can descale it less routinely. – depending on how often you use it.
Here we’ll look at how and why you should keep on top of maintaining your Original Nespresso coffee machine, as well as providing pointers for the kind of equipment that’s available to help make the job easy.
For tips on how to clean your Vertuo Nespresso coffee machine, please click here.
How to clean your Original Nespresso coffee machine
Let’s start with the basics: if you use your machine on a daily basis, it’s good form to clean your machine just as regularly. This will guarantee that it’s fit to produce that trademark, delicious-tasting coffee time and time again.
This being said, how you clean your machine can change, dependant on the type of machine you have, even if the fundamentals are the same. Anything that can leave residue – coffee oils, milk, heated water – will leave residue, so it’s best to clean these away before they build up.
Cleaning your machine is a simple task. Many Nespresso machines have auto-clean functions, and for the ones that don’t, it’s a quick and easy process to flush water through or even remove inner parts for a more thorough clean.
For all Original Nespresso machines
The majority of Original Nespresso coffee machines have removable components, such as the water tank, capsule tray and drip tray, that you can remove for a deeper clean. As well as a regular rinse, you can clean these components with hot soapy water, and dry completely before putting them back into place.
For Original Nespresso machines with a steam wand
If your machine has a steam wand, this should ideally be wiped clean and purged each time you use it, to avoid a build-up of heated milk residue. It’s also a good idea to give it an additional clean with a cloth and hot water, at regular intervals.
For Original Nespresso machines with an in-built milk solution
If your coffee machine includes a milk container to create milky coffees, keep the milk tank in the fridge at all times outside cleaning cycles All components can be cleaned in the upper level of your dishwasher or by hand washing.
By following these simple tips above, and cleaning your machine regularly, you will ensure you’re experiencing the optimal Nespresso coffee quality and taste, while also maintaining hygiene.
But if you are keeping on top of cleaning, the problem could be one of limescale build-up. If so, it’s time to descale your machine.
Signs that you need to descale your Nespresso coffee machine
Descaling is slightly different to cleaning – though no less essential in the long run.
While cleaning should be done regularly, descaling can be done every 6-12 months to remove the build-up of limescale in your machine.
This occurs because the water you use to make your coffee is full of minerals. When water is heated and evaporates in the process of making a Nespresso coffee, a chalky mineral deposit can be left behind.
Limescale is mainly made up of a mix of calcium and magnesium and it can be a particular problem if you live in a hard water area.
If limescale is allowed to build up inside your coffee machine, it can gradually affect performance.
This can occur in a variety of ways, including:
- Preventing the temperature of the water from reaching its optimum level, which can impact the flavour extraction from your coffee capsule.
- Affecting water-flow.
- Preventing the smooth functioning of your machine or stopping it from working altogether.
Fortunately, most Nespresso coffee machines are fitted with a warning signal, which will light up when the machine needs to be descaled. Check your machine-specific guide to find out where this light is located on your particular model.
Even so, it is better to be proactive, particularly if you notice any of the signs of limescale. Others may include if your coffee has a slightly bitter taste to it, or if your machine is making strange noises, or its pouring slower than usual.
How to descale your Original Nespresso coffee machine
A Nespresso Original descaling kit is the best way to care for and deep clean your machine. Designed specifically for Nespresso machines, our kits will gently eliminate limescale build-up to ensure you’re enjoying our coffee the way it should taste.
Each Nespresso descaling kit contains:
- 2 x 100ml single use sachets of descaling solution
- Many Nespresso machines include an automatic descaling function – simply locate the option on your display and select.
You can purchase a descaling kit online, at any of our boutiques or by calling our toll-free number 0800 234 579.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use vinegar to descale my Nespresso coffee machine?
It’s important to never use vinegar to descale your Nespresso coffee machine. Doing so can cause serious damage to your machine. It’s always best to use a Nespresso Descaling Kit and follow your user manual when descaling.
Should I fill up the water tank on my machine while I’m descaling it?
No, the water tank should not be full while you’re descaling.
What should I do with my machine after I’ve descaled it?
Wipe your Nespresso coffee machine with a damp cloth after you’ve descaled it to mop up any remaining residue. It should now be fine to use.
How often should I clean and descale my machine?
It’s best practice to clean your machine daily (if you are using it daily). This is to prevent the build-up of residue and bacteria.
Descaling can be done once or twice a year and should ideally be followed up with a deep clean as well.
