How to Descale a Nespresso CitiZ (Classic and Platinum)

Two CitiZ Machines, Two Descale Routines

How you descale a Nespresso CitiZ depends on which CitiZ you have. The classic CitiZ (EN167 in De'Longhi's edition) has two buttons and no descale light: with the machine on, hold Espresso + Lungo for 3 seconds, and descale by cup count. The CitiZ Platinum has three buttons and a descaling alert: with it on, hold all three buttons for more than 5 seconds.

Both use Nespresso's descaling agent, run the solution through, then rinse with fresh water. The classic takes about 15 minutes. Check your button count before you start, because the sequences aren't interchangeable.

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What You'll Need

No vinegar. The classic CitiZ manual says: "Never use any product other than the Nespresso descaling kit available at the Nespresso Club to avoid damage to your machine." Its French text adds that products like vinegar would leave a taste in the coffee and could damage the machine.

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Step 1: Know When It's Due

Classic CitiZ: there's no warning light. The manual gives a schedule by water hardness, counted in 40 ml cups:

Signs it's overdue, from the troubleshooting table: coffee coming out very slowly, coffee not hot enough, or no water at all.

CitiZ Platinum: the descaling alert blinking is level 1 ("descale"). Steady is level 2, where the manual says to "descale machine immediately to avoid machine performance and coffee quality decrease". Heavy use of the Americano or hot water functions brings it on sooner.

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Step 2: Prepare the Machine

1. Remove the capsule and close the lever.
2. Empty the drip tray and the used capsule container.
3. Platinum only: empty the water tank too.

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Step 3: Add the Descaling Solution

• Classic CitiZ: fill the tank with 0.5 L of fresh drinking water and add 1 Nespresso descaling liquid sachet.
• Platinum: fill the tank to half with water and add the Nespresso descaling agent.

Put a container of at least 1 L under the coffee outlet.

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Step 4: Enter Descaling Mode

• Classic CitiZ: with the machine on, press Espresso and Lungo together for 3 seconds. Both lights blink.
• Platinum: with the machine on, press and hold all three buttons at the same time for more than 5 seconds. To back out at this stage, press any coffee button.

Don't confuse these with the other holds. On the classic CitiZ, both buttons with the machine off and the lever open is the emptying mode, and Lungo held 5 seconds with the machine off is the factory reset. Both are explained in our CitiZ not-working guide.

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Step 5: Run the Solution Through

Classic CitiZ:

1. Press Lungo and wait until the tank is empty.
2. Pour the used solution from the container back into the tank.
3. Put the container back and press Lungo again until the tank is empty.

Platinum: press the Hot water button to start descaling, and let the solution run.

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Step 6: Rinse

Classic CitiZ:

1. Empty and rinse the water tank, then fill it with fresh drinking water.
2. Empty the container and put it back under the outlet.
3. Press Lungo and let the fresh water run through to rinse the machine.

Platinum:

1. When the tank is empty, rinse it and fill it with fresh drinking water to max.
2. Empty the container, put it back, and press Hot water.
3. When the tank is empty, repeat the rinse once more.

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Step 7: Exit Descaling Mode

• Classic CitiZ: press Espresso and Lungo together for 3 seconds. The machine is ready to use.
• Platinum: it switches itself off at the end. There's no exit step.

⚠️ Safety: Nespresso warns that descaling solution can be harmful. Avoid contact with eyes, skin and surfaces, and wipe up spills.

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Troubleshooting the Procedure

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Descale Less Often

• Fill with fresh, cold drinking water every time, and replace water left standing over a weekend, as the manual asks.
• Softer water stretches the interval. On the classic CitiZ, 0 °fH water quadruples it compared with hard water (1,200 cups vs 300).
• Platinum: set the water hardness with the supplied test strip. Machine off, hold Hot water, then press Hot water to step through the levels and any coffee button to confirm. The factory setting is level 4.

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FAQ

Does the classic CitiZ have a descale light?

No. Its manual describes only blinking lights (heating), steady lights (ready) and irregular blinking (repair). Descaling is by cup count: every 300 cups in hard water, up to 1,200 in soft water. Only the CitiZ Platinum has a dedicated descaling alert.

Why is my CitiZ Platinum light orange?

The manual calls it the descaling alert and never prints its colour. Blinking means descale (level 1); steady means descale immediately (level 2). If all the beverage buttons blink fast instead, that's an error or overheating signal: wait a few minutes, then unplug and replug.

Can I use vinegar in a Nespresso CitiZ?

No. The CitiZ manual says never to use anything other than the Nespresso descaling kit, to avoid damaging the machine. It also warns that products like vinegar affect the coffee's taste.

How long does descaling a CitiZ take?

About 15 minutes for the classic CitiZ, according to its manual. The Platinum adds a second rinse round and switches itself off when it's done.

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Related Nespresso Guides

• Nespresso CitiZ Not Working?: lights, resets and both CitiZ models
• Nespresso CitiZ Not Heating?: lukewarm coffee and scale
• Nespresso Orange Light: which Nespresso machines actually have one
• Nespresso Error Codes and Lights: every Nespresso family's signals

Sources: Nespresso CitiZ User Manual (EN167, De'Longhi edition); Nespresso CitiZ Platinum and Essenza Plus User Manual.