In a busy world of never-ending loads of laundry, miscellaneous household chores and perpetual to-do lists, nothing curbs adulting like a strong cup of coffee. No matter how you brew your daily cup of joe, coffee is the cure-all to fast-moving mornings and afternoon slumps.
Even a tiny shot of espresso post-dinner can be a calming little indulgence — something Nespresso owners fully understand. But before you take that next sip, ask yourself: when was the last time you cleaned your machine?
Mallory Micetich, former vice president of corporate communications at Angi, says all home coffee machine owners (Nespresso and otherwise) should make cleaning their home coffee pots a frequent habit. The time between espresso shots and lattes allows mold, yeast and bacteria to lurk inside your machines.
“The warm air, water and naturally occurring spores within your coffee machine create a prime environment for yeast and mold that can lurk in your machine,” she explains. “Additionally, calcium deposits from water and oil residue from grounds also leave their mark.”
To keep your java as clean as possible (and help your machines last even longer), Shop TODAY asked experts to break down everything you need to know about cleaning your Nespresso.
Nespresso cleaning tips and instructions | How often to clean your Nespresso | How we chose | Meet the experts
How to clean your Nespresso
As a general rule, associate product marketing manager for Affresh appliance care Amier N. Trotter says it's best to refer to the care instructions for the specific make and model of your machine when it's time to clean (more on that below).
For the exterior of your machine, Kimi Sawanobori, senior buyer of electrics at William Sonoma, recommends gently wiping down the exterior with a soft cloth and a mixture of mild dish soap and water.
To clean the interior of your Nespresso, you'll have to go through a process called descaling, which Sawanobori describes as a "deeper clean."
Like Trotter, Sawanobori notes that the descaling process will vary model to model. Luckily, the Nespresso site has a landing page with all of their models where you can select yours and find the right instructions. To make it easier for you, here are the cleaning and descaling instructions for a few of the brand's popular models:
No matter which machine you have, both Sawanobori and Jessica Ek, senior director of digital communications at the American Cleaning Institute, recommend using the brand's specific descaling solution which helps to remove buildup inside the machine. Ek says the entire descaling process takes about 20 minutes to complete.
How often should you clean your Nespresso?
The frequency of when (and how often) you should clean your Nespresso machine depends on the use and number of cups made per day.
"Nespresso machines have a cleaning cycle that you should run somewhere between daily and weekly, depending on frequency of use," advises Ek. "If you have a steam wand, make sure you're wiping this clean after each use. And then...descaling should be done between one and four times a year, again depending on use."
Similarly, Sawanobori says descaling is required as needed and "is dependent on the water hardness [in your area]. It's usually every three months or 300 capsules."
"Typically, no part of the machine should be cleaned every day," she notes. "Just every few days, the used capsule storage area...and the drip tray emptied, but maybe once a week or every couple days depending on how it's used."
Frequently asked questions
If your Nespresso has visible mold, Sawanobori recommends cleaning it with warm, soapy water and letting it dry completely before refilling it.
"Refill and clean more frequently to prevent water sitting for long periods of time [which can cause mold]. I would also recommend descaling the machine to clean the water lines," she says.
- Ignoring the descale alert. Ek says some machines have a warning light when it's time to descale that you shouldn't ignore. For example, according to the descaling instructions for the Vertuo models, "The light will blink alternately the times, then become steady. [The] machine can only be operated to make coffee a few more times once the alert appears before descaling becomes mandatory."
- Using harsh chemicals or vinegar. You'll want to avoid using harsh or abrasive liquid and sponges on your machine. Per Sawanobori’s suggestions, mild dish soap, warm water and a soft damp cloth are what should be used on the machine. And while vinegar is usually a household cleaning superstar, you'll want to avoid that for your Nespresso as Ek says it can damage the machine.
- Not rinsing everything out properly. As Ek put it, "No one likes soap residue in coffee."
- Rushing dry time. Trotter says not airing your machine out completely can allow mold and bacteria to grow, so you'd be wise to wait it out.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and comb through customer reviews to make shopping easier for our readers.
Meet the experts
- Mallory Micetich is the former vice president of corporate communications at Angi, a site that connects users with home professionals.
- Kimi Sawanobori is the senior buyer of electrics at Williams Sonoma.
- Amier N. Trotter is the associate marketing manager for Affresh appliance care.
- Jessica Ek is the senior director of digital communications at the American Cleaning Institute.
