Last update September 3rd, 2022
Regular Nespresso descaling is essential to eliminate limescale: it is the enemy of coffee machines. It settles in the circuit, prevents the water from circulating normally and reduces the pressure. You must clean your Nespresso machine to avoid potential breakdowns.
In this article you will find: when to descale the Nespresso, how to descale Nespresso with natural products and all the tips and tricks to clean your Nespresso machine. Let’s go!
When to descale your Nespresso?
Nespresso must be descaled regularly, approximately every two to six months, depending on the hardness of the water, i.e. its lime content. The harder it is, the more often you need to descale. The frequency of descaling a Nespresso also depends on the use you make of your coffee machine: the more you use it, the more regularly it should be descaled.
On most models a light comes on to warn you that you need to clean the Nespresso machine. The brand recommends:
- a Nespresso descaling every six months for two cups consumed per day;
- a Nespresso descaling every five months for four cups a day:
- a Nespresso descaling every three months for a use of six cups per day;
- a Nespresso descaling every two months for eight or more cups per day.
Why do I have to descale my Nespresso regularly?
What happens if I don’t descale my Nespresso? The water will have more difficulty circulating because of the presence of limescale and the pressure in the coffee machine will gradually decrease, forcing the pump to wear out prematurely.
Limescale can also damage other parts such as the resistance. In this case, the warning sign will be that your Nespresso no longer heats the water.
Not to mention that the taste of the coffee changes and you will lose its usual flavor.
How can I prevent limescale deposits in my Nespresso?
How does limescale settle in your Nespresso? The tap water used to make coffee always contains limestone, when it heats up, it crystallizes and settles in the circuit of the coffee machine.
Three solutions to limit limescale in the Nespresso :
- put on an anti-limescale ring;
- use a water softener;
- use filtered water.
Nespresso: descaling with classic descalers
As we have seen previously, many failures are due to a need to descale your Nespresso. It is recommended to perform several per year or when the “descaling” light comes on, here is the how to descale a Nespresso:
- Empty the bins.
- Mix 3/4 water with 1/4 descaler in the tank.
- Plug in your coffee maker.
- Press the “small” and “large cup” buttons at the same time for 3 or 4 seconds.
- Press “large cup” and let the water in the water pan run out.
- Repeat the operation twice.
- Start a clear water cycle twice by pressing “large cup”.
- Press “small” and “large cup” simultaneously for 3 or 4 seconds.
The descaling of the Nespresso machine is finished, the coffee maker is ready to use.
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Nespresso: is ecological descaling possible?
Although manufacturers offer descalers in liquid, tablet or powder form, they often advise against using natural products. It is difficult to know whether these recommendations are really true or whether they are intended to promote the sale of their products.
Most of the time, the use of vinegar is not recommended. The acetic acid in it would damage the seals over time and leave a bad smell and taste. It should only be used occasionally if urgent descaling is required.
We give you below three solutions to descale the Nespresso machine with natural products, it is more economical than the commercial descaler but their use, especially that of white vinegar, is at your own risk, because it can play on the durability of your coffee machine.
Descaling Nespresso with white vinegar
Mix one third water and two thirds white vinegar. Fill the Nespresso tank with it and then proceed in the same way as for descaling Nespresso with a classic product (see the paragraph “Nespresso: descaling with classic descalers”).
Descaling Nespresso with citric acid
Dilute 50 g of citric acid in 1 l of cold water and fill the machine’s reservoir, then proceed in the same way as for descaling Nespresso with a classic product (see above “Nespresso: descaling with classic descalers”).
Descaling Nespresso with baking soda
Put two teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda in 1 litre of cold water and pour the solution into the tank, then proceed in the same way as for descaling Nespresso with a classic product (see “Nespresso: descaling with classic descalers”).
How to clean a Nespresso machine
The various accessories, trays and tank that come out can be cleaned with a sponge and washing-up liquid. Wash them every month or more if you use your machine a lot. Don’t forget to rinse thoroughly with clear water to remove all traces of cleaner and preserve the taste of your coffee.
