By properly cleaning and descaling your Nespresso Vertuo machine on time, you can extend its lifespan and enjoy great-tasting coffee for years to come.
I have made this guide pretty simple, so you don’t need to go back to different portions of descaling Nespresso Vertuo Videos repeatedly.
I have added the instructions for all types of Nespresso Vertuo line machines, whether you have Nespresso Vertuo next, plus, or Evoluo.
Read a detailed comparison between Nespresso Vertuo Next vs Plus
General Nespresso Vertuo line descaling Guidelines
- The duration for descaling is approximately 20 minutes.
- You can’t exit the descaling cycle once entered without completing the descaling cycle.
- Remove the previously used Coffee Capsule before starting the descaling cycle.
- If you remove the plug during the descaling cycle the machine will again go into the descaling cycle when plugged in.
- The descaling solution can be harmful to the skin or eyes. So, use it with caution.
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Can you descale Nespresso Vertuo with vinegar?
Yes, you can descale Nespresso Vertuo with Vinegar. However, the Vinegar leaves a strong pungent smell. If you are using it for descaling Nespresso, then you should run at least 2-3 more rinse cycles to completely flush off the residue. Otherwise, it will impart a very bad taste to your coffee drink.
Nespresso itself doesn’t recommend descaling the machines with vinegar, as it contains 5-8% acetic acid. This type of acid can damage your machine and leave a very bad smell.
So, it’s best to stick to the Manufacturer’s recommended descaling kit or specialized solutions to descale your machine, as these solutions contain safer and more effective types of acids.
how to descale nespresso vertuo machines
Nespresso Vertuoline has 4 models:
- Vetuo Next
- Vertuo Plus
- Vertuo
- Vertuo Evoluo
The descaling procedure for Vertuo Next, Vertuo, and Evoluo is exactly the same and slightly different for the Vertuo Plus model.
i) Descaling Nespresso Vertuo Next, Vertuo Evoluo and Vertuo
Nespresso Vertuo Next, Vertuo, or Evoluo machine gives a blinking orange light reminder when the descaling cycle is required.
Here are the Step-by-step instructions:
- Turn the machine off and Remove and empty the waste capsule container, drip tray, and Water tank.
- Add one bottle of the descaling solution and 0.5 liters of clean water to the tank.
- Turn on the machine, close the lid, and lock it. The machine will start heating and the light will turn steady when the machine is ready.
- Now it’s time to enter the descaling mode. Move the lever to the unlocked position and press and hold the button for 7 seconds. The coffee button will start blinking rapidly
- Now you have 45 seconds to begin the descaling process. Otherwise, the machine will return to brewing mode.
- Lock the machine by turning the lever left, and again unlock it by turning the lever right. Now press and hold the button for 7 seconds until the light turns off.
- Place a container under the coffee outlet.
- Lock the machine by turning the lever to the left, and push the button to begin descaling. The light will keep blinking continuously throughout the descaling process.
- When the first phase of descaling is completed, the machine will stop.
- Now thoroughly clean and rinse the water tank and fill it with fresh drinking water.
- Push the button and the machine will start the rinsing cycle.
- The machine will stop automatically after running all the water and the light will become steady.
- Press the button for 7 seconds to exit the descaling mode.
- Allow the machine to dry for the time of approx. 10-15 minutes before using
II) Nespresso Vertuo Plus descaling
The descaling process of Vertuo Plus is slightly different from other Vertuo line Nespresso machines.
Steps are:
- Start by emptying and cleaning the capsule container drip tray, and the water tank.
- Turn on the machine. Eject any used capsule from the machine and push the lever down to close the lid.
- Switch off the coffee maker by pressing the lever for 3 seconds.
- Add one packet of a descaling solution and 0.5 liters of water to the reservoir.
- Press the button and lever at the same time for 3 seconds. A steady orange light indicates the machine is entered into a special menu function.
- To select descaling, press the lever down one more time (Do it within two minutes unless the machine will go back to normal mode).
- Place a container under the coffee outlet.
- Push the button to start the descaling process. When the procedure is completed, the machine will stop. (Orange light will keep blinking throughout the descaling process)
- Empty and clean the water tank and Fill it with fresh drinking water
- Press the button three times in 2 seconds to start the rinsing cycle.
- The machine will automatically stop after the rinsing process and the light will turn green.
- To leave the descaling mode, Hold down the button and the lever simultaneously for 3 seconds.
- Allow the machine to dry for 10 minutes before using.
How to descale Nespresso without the Kit?
I only recommend using the official Nespresso descaling kit for cleaning the machine. There are a few alternative options if you don’t have it:
- Make a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water.
- Mix 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice with water to create a natural descaling solution.
- Mix about 2 tablespoons of citric acid into a full water reservoir.
Always remember to run 2-3 rinsing cycles thoroughly with fresh water after descaling to flush out any residual solution.
How often should you descale your Nespresso Vertuo machine?
You should descale your Nespresso Machine once every 3-6 months or after brewing 300 cups of coffee; whatever will come first!
Additionally, if you use hard water for brewing coffee, then you might need to descale your machine more frequently as more mineral content in the hard water leads to more scale buildup inside the machine.
Nespresso Vertuoline machines have a light indicator alert to let you know when there’s a time to descale your machine.
- For Vertuo plus machines, the light will be half red and half green or yellow
- For Vertuo Next, Vertuo, and Evoluo, the orange light indicates that it’s time to descale your machine.
Although you can still use the machine for some time after the warning light indication, it is highly recommended to descale your machine as soon as possible.
If you notice any of the following conditions then you must descale your machine (even if the descaling light doesn’t blink).
What to do if Vertuo Descaling Light won’t go off even after descaling?
If the light of your Nespresso remains on after the descaling process, then it is likely that there is extra mineral buildup inside the machine.
Ask yourself the following questions
- Have you been ignoring the descale light for an extended period?
- Do you use hard water?
- Have you not followed the descaling instructions completely?
If your answer is yes! Then try descaling one more time to get rid of this problem.
If the light still remains ON you can try Resetting the Machine or contact Nespresso customer professional support to help you.
Read a detailed guide to fix if your Nespresso is stuck in descaling mode
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide has been helpful in descaling your Nespresso Vertuo machine.
If you have any questions, tips, or your own descaling experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a comment below and share your thoughts!
FAQs
Can you descale Nespresso Vertuo with just water?
No, you can’t run a descaling cycle with just water. Chemicals in descaling solutions break down and remove scale from the inside of machines, something that cannot be done with just water.
