How to Clean a Nespresso Machine: Complete Guide (Vertuo & OriginalLine)

How to Clean a Nespresso Machine

What "cleaning" means depends on which Nespresso you have. OriginalLine machines have no cleaning program, Vertuo machines do, and milk machines add their own daily job. Here's what each manual asks for:

• OriginalLine (Pixie, CitiZ, Essenza Mini, Inissia): empty and wash the drip tray, capsule container (and drip base) regularly; the Essenza Mini manual says every day. Wipe the coffee outlet with a soft damp cloth. There's no cleaning program; descaling is the deep clean.
• Vertuo Next, Pop and Pop+: the same daily emptying, plus a cleaning program run monthly, when coffee residue appears, or after a long break. Press the button 3 times within 2 seconds.
• Vertuo Up: a cleaning cycle from the maintenance button, and a maintenance module to empty.
• Milk machines (Lattissima, Aeroccino): clean the milk parts after every use.

Nespresso's manuals specify mild, odourless detergent for the parts and the Nespresso descaling kit for descaling. They don't use vinegar.

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Step 1: Empty and Wash the Removable Parts

1. Eject the capsule (lift and close the lever, or open the head).
2. Remove the drip tray and used-capsule container (Vertuo Up: the maintenance module). Empty them.
3. Wash them in warm water with a mild, odourless detergent, rinse and dry.
4. Reassemble.

Dishwasher: the Essenza Mini and Vertuo Up manuals say not to put the parts in the dishwasher. Wash by hand unless your manual says otherwise.

Time: 3 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

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Step 2: Wipe the Coffee Outlet

All the manuals: clean the coffee outlet regularly with a clean, soft, damp cloth. The Essenza Mini adds "inside the machine". Unplug first, and never use sharp objects, brushes, abrasives or solvents.

Time: 1 minute
Difficulty: Easy

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Step 3: Run the Cleaning Program (Vertuo)

Vertuo Next, Pop, Pop+:

1. Rinse and fill the tank. Open the head to eject the capsule, and empty the capsule container.
2. Remove the cup support and place a container of at least 1 L under the outlet.
3. Close the head and lock the lever.
4. With the machine on, press the button 3 times within 2 seconds. The Pop+ runs about 7 minutes.
5. Wash the container, cup support and drip tray. Dry any water left in the head.

Vertuo Up: turn it on, open the lever, and hold the maintenance button 3 seconds until the coffee button is steady blue. Close the lever and press it. Rinsing takes up to about 3 minutes, with 0.5 L of water in the tank.

Grounds in the cup: run the cleaning twice (Pop+ manual).

Time: 5-10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

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Step 4: Clean the Milk Parts After Every Use

• Aeroccino 4: remove the lid seal and the whisk spring, then wash by hand or in the dishwasher (max 70 °C), except the base. The Aeroccino 3 isn't dishwasher safe.
• Lattissima Touch: press CLEAN after each milk drink. Then take the milk system apart (6 parts) for the dishwasher's upper rack, or soak it 30 minutes.
• Lattissima One: when the Clean alert shines orange, clean the Rapid Cappuccino System parts.

More: Aeroccino leaking · Lattissima leaking.

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Step 5: Descale

Descaling removes scale from inside, using the Nespresso descaling kit.

Full steps: Vertuo · Pixie · CitiZ · Essenza Mini.

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Before a Long Break

• Empty the water tank. The Pixie Refresh manual also says to replace the water after a weekend.
• Most machines have an emptying mode for storage or frost protection. On the Pixie BEC430: off, tank out, lever closed, both buttons 3 seconds.
• After a break, rinse first: Lungo or a cleaning cycle with no capsule.

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FAQ

How often should I clean my Nespresso?

Empty and wash the drip tray and capsule container regularly (the Essenza Mini manual says daily). Run the Vertuo cleaning program monthly, or when coffee residue appears.

Can I put Nespresso parts in the dishwasher?

Not on the Essenza Mini or Vertuo Up. Their manuals say no. The Aeroccino 4 and Lattissima milk parts can go in the dishwasher.

Can I clean a Nespresso with vinegar?

The manuals specify mild detergent for the parts, and the Nespresso descaling kit for descaling. The Pixie manuals say not to use vinegar.

Do OriginalLine machines have a cleaning program?

No. Their manuals give descaling and outlet cleaning, but no cleaning cycle.

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Related Nespresso Guides

• Nespresso Vertuo Maintenance Guide
• Nespresso OriginalLine Maintenance Guide
• Nespresso Vertuo Descaling Guide
• Nespresso Leaking Water?

Sources: Nespresso user manuals for the Pixie, CitiZ, Essenza Mini, Vertuo Next/Pop/Plus, Vertuo Pop+, Vertuo Up, Lattissima One and Touch, and Aeroccino 3 and 4.