As every owner of a Nespresso Vertuo coffee machine can tell you, it’s easy to bond with your machine.
It’s probably something about that morning ritual of heating up our Vertuo and enjoying the anticipation as the coffee begins to brew and the aroma starts to waft throughout the kitchen. It’s almost like a warm hug to wake up to from a friend!
However, like every friendship, your relationship with your Nespresso Vertuo occasionally needs some extra care and nourishment. Think of cleaning and descaling your machine as being like a declaration of love.
For tips on how to clean your Nespresso Original machine, please click here.
Why hygiene is vital in your coffee machine
Not only is coffee delicious, it is full of natural ingredients. However, this means the coffee grounds can leave oily residue or grit inside the appliance, which means that there is always the risk of bacteria forming inside the machine if it is not cleaned properly.
Not only will a dirty machine produce dirty-tasting coffee, it could ultimately hurt the mechanism of your Nespresso machine. No one wants that. A well-maintained and hygienic machine will last longer and deliver a better brew. It’s win/win.
Is descaling and cleaning your Nespresso machine the same thing?
Descaling and cleaning your Nespresso machine are two different processes. Descaling targets the chemical build-up from the water used in the machine to protect the internal parts of your appliance, while cleaning is about maintaining good hygiene and removing built-up residue.
Both processes are important and will ensure that the beans are brewed to the right temperature, old coffee grounds are removed and everything is in good working order.
How, why and when coffee machines should be cleaned
The good news is that the Nespresso Vertuo, like all Nespresso machines, is easy to clean and maintain – so nothing has to come between you and your favourite hot beverage. The process is difficult and these simple maintenance tips can become part of your regular routine.
How to clean your Vertuo Nespresso coffee machine
- Remove and clean the drip tray and cup support
- Empty and wash out the water tank and lid
- Empty the capsule container.
- Wipe down the outside of your machine to remove milk and coffee splashes
- Give the components a thorough clean in the upper level of your dishwasher – but don’t immerse the machine in water
- You can also handwash the separate parts in hot water if you prefer
- Run the automatic cleaning process in your Vertuo, as per the machine’s instructions. This should take about 7 minutes.
For Vertuo machines with a steam wand
Follow all steps above, with additional attention given to the steam wand mechanism.
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.
Detailed, step by step instruction guides and videos on how to clean the Vertuo Creatista steam wand can be found here.
For Vertuo machines with an in-built milk solution
- Disassemble the milk carafe and if a dishwasher is available, place all milk carafe components in the upper part of your dishwasher. If a dishwasher is not available, soak all components in hot water together with a mild detergent for at least 30 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly.
- Clean the interior of the milk carafe, the milk spout and the knob with a mild detergent, and rinse with hot water.
- Dry all components with a clean cloth and reassemble.
Use a clean, damp cloth when performing any maintenance on your Nespresso machine and rinse the cloth regularly during the process. It’s important not to use a strong or abrasive cleaning agent or solvent cleaner during this process as that may harm the machine.
Detailed, step-by-step instruction guides and videos on how to clean your Vertuo can be found here for Vertuo Next, Vertuo Black, Vertuo Pop, Vertuo Plus, Vertuo Lattissima and Vertuo Creatista.
How, why and when coffee machines should be descaled
Chemicals in the water supply can build-up inside coffee machines to form lime scale, which can negatively impact on their operational ability and can affect the taste, temperature and aroma of your coffee. If lime scale is left to build-up for an excessive length of time it can even cause your machine to stop working completely.
Descaling your machine will remove this mineral build-up. Regular descaling is recommended to ensure that your coffee tastes smooth and rich.
Generally, descaling only needs to be done every 6 months, but you may need to do it more regularly (up to every 3 months) if you have hard water, or you are part of a busy household of coffee drinkers.
Signs that your coffee machine needs descaling:
- Your coffee has a dirty/burnt taste to it
- Your machine or steamer is making strange noises when you use it
- Your machine is pouring coffee more slowly than normal
- Your coffee is not as hot as normal.
To descale your Nespresso Vertuo machine, you will need to allow about 20 minutes for the process and the descale mode cannot be interrupted or exited. Note that if the machine is unplugged during the descale procedure, the machine will enter the Descale Mode upon start. Both cycles, descaling and rinsing, must be repeated after this.
Nespresso Vertuo coffee machine has an easy-to-use Descaling Kit
The Nespresso Vertuo Descaling Kit is available for our machines, which includes descaling liquid to ensure the mechanisms are thoroughly cleaned. Note that the descaling solution can be harmful and should be treated with care. Please read the safety precautions on the descaling package before using.
Select your Vertuo machine to discover how to descale:
About Nespresso Vertuo
With more than 30 blends of sustainably sourced roast and ground coffee across 7 pour sizes, Nespresso Vertuo delivers an Australian inspired café quality menu. Vertuo has a coffee capsule for every coffee lover, from double espresso cappuccino to pour-over style carafe coffee. Our unique capsules come in 7 cup sizes to match your coffee preference at any time of the day.
The unique barcode on each coffee capsule contains bespoke extraction parameters. This regulates the flow and volume of water, as well as the temperature, brewing time and even the speed of capsule rotation so you can precisely brew your favourite coffee style every time.
Want a step-by-step guide to cleaning and/or descaling your Nespresso machine?
We have detailed instructions on how to clean and descale all our machines – and the difference between the two on our website. Just head to Machine Troubleshooting and choose your Vertuo model for downloadable step-by-step instructions and videos.
You can also try our YouTube channel for easy-to-understand videos on cleaning and descaling Nespresso machines.
