How To Clean Nespresso VertuoLine With Vinegar? (why should you clean your Nespresso VertuoLine + more information)

Tap water often contains minerals that cause limescale. This becomes a problem when it builds up on your appliance, so should you clean your Nespresso VertuoLine?

Yes, it would be best if you regularly clean your Nespresso VertuoLine coffee machine and occasionally descale it to avoid contamination and continue enjoying good-tasting coffee. I was both excited and nervous when I was given a Nespresso VertuoLine for my birthday last year. I was happy because it meant less hassle making my many cups of coffee, but I was worried about how I’d maintain the machine in good working condition for a long time since tap water in my area is challenging. So I hit the internet searching for a solution, which I’ll share in this post so that you can also get a few tips from what I learned. Enjoy!

Why should you clean your Nespresso VertuoLine?

It would be best if you cleaned your Nespresso VertuoLine regularly to avoid contamination and descale it to prevent limescale build-up that can affect the machine’s performance or even damage it. Since coffee is food, regular cleaning helps prevent germs from build-up on the surface used to prepare it. Regularly wiping the exterior with a soft, damp cloth also helps keep the machine looking pristine.

How often should you clean your Nespresso VertuoLine?

You should regularly clean at least once daily if you use the coffee machine daily. I also find it helpful to rinse the water jar and wipe down the coffee outlet before use if the machine has not been used for some time. When it comes to descaling, you should do it every 2 to 3 months, or after every 300 capsules, or when the Nespresso VertuoLine indicator shows that the machine needs to be descaled, whichever comes first. Remove and use dishwashing detergent to wash, rinse, and dry the water jar and drip tray for a regular clean. Dry these with a soft cloth before putting them back in the machine. Wipe the capsule detector lens using a soft cloth. Wipe down the exterior, including the coffee outlet, using a soft, damp cloth. Never submerge the machine in water.

For descaling your Nespresso Vertuoline, the company has a Nespresso cleaning kit that can be used with all their coffee machines. It is available directly from Nespresso and can be procured on Amazon. The pack consists of two 100 ml single-use sachets, which means you use one now and the other in two to three months, so you get four to six months out of a single purchase. The active ingredient is lactic acid.

The machine comes with a cleaning instruction manual and a Nespresso cleaning guide, both available on the website.

What are the steps to cleaning a Nespresso VertuoLine with vinegar?

Cleaning with vinegar is also referred to as descaling. Vinegar is one of the common alternatives to branded descaling products used on the Nespresso VertuoLine. However, not every kind of vinegar will do. You’ll need to get white vinegar. White vinegar is an effective and less harsh household cleaning chemical used in food salads, so it is safe. To descale your VertuoLine, use the following steps:

Step 1: Prepare descaling solution: Mix 10 fluid ounces (300ml) of plain warm water with ten fluid ounces (300ml) of white vinegar in a jar to make 20 fluid ounces of descaling solution and set aside. Note the ratio used here for water to white vinegar is 1:1.

Step 2: Empty the pod bay. Remove capsules from the capsule pod bay by opening the lid and ejecting any used capsules. Make sure the knob is now turned to “unlocked.”

Step 3: Empty the drip tray: Remove it, open it, drain any water from it, and return it to the machine. You will attend to cleaning it later after the descaling process.

Step 4: Prepare for descaling: Next, pour the cleaning solution you prepared earlier into the water tank to the maximum level.

Step 5: Pre-heating: Start by “locking” the machine. Then turn it on by pushing the “on” button at the top. Next, “unlock” by turning the lever to the unlock symbol and shut the machine. This will cause the machine to start to pre-heat automatically. As it does this, the “on” button will flash. Please wait until it stops.

Step 6: Entering descaling mode: Once the button stops flashing and it just shows it’s on, press it (the button) and hold it for about 7 seconds. This will cause the machine to enter the descaling mode automatically. You’ll now have 45 seconds to start descaling.

Step 7: Descaling process: Now “lock” the machine by turning the control to the lock symbol, then immediately “unlock” it by turning the lever to the right. Follow by pressing and holding the “on” button down for about 7 seconds.

Place the jar or large cup that can hold at least 20 fluid ounces on the drip tray to receive the descaling solution from the coffee outlet during the process. The cleaning cycle is complete when the machine stops dripping the solution from the outlet.

Note: If the machine fails to start dripping the solution out of the coffee outlet, turn the lever to the “lock” position, immediately “unlock” and press the button for 7 seconds to start the process again.

Repeat the descaling process: You can run another descaling cycle if you want to by pouring in fresh solution or reusing the solution from the first run. Put the solution in the water tank ofrence again, and press “on” the flashing button to restart the machine, then go through the descaling process again. I find this step to be only necessary if there is noticeable debris; otherwise, it is optional and unnecessary if you regularly descale your Nespresso Vertuoline.

Step 8: Rinse the parts. Once the descaling solution has been completely emptied, discard it and remove the drip tray and water tank. Rinse them with warm water and ensure no residue of the descaling solutions remains in the parts. Rinse the holding cup as well. Put the drip tray back and place the holding cup back under the outlet in preparation for the machine rinse run.

Step 9: Rinse the machine. Fill the water tank with clean water and place it in the machine. Turn the lever to “lock,” press the “on” button once, and wait for the water to run through the machine to rinse it automatically. Once it is finished, the Vertuoline will come to an automatic stop.

Note: I constantly repeat the rinse step at least thrice because I like to ensure no vinegar residue remains in the machine. Vinegar residue can damage the machine’s pipes and internal mechanisms and void your warranty. The other reason for a thorough rinse is that I don’t particularly fancy the taste of vinegar in my coffee.

Step 10: Exiting descaling mode. When you are done with the rinse, you must exit descaling mode. To do this, press the on button for about 7 seconds. The machine should exit descaling mode and indicate this by stopping the flashing and keeping the light on.

Step 11: Allowing the machine to dry: Wipe down the exterior with a soft, damp cloth and set it aside for about 20 minutes before using it to make some coffee.

What vinegar alternatives can I use to clean my Nespresso VertuoLine?

You can use citric acid, lactic acid, lemon, or lime juice as vinegar alternatives to clean your Nespresso VertuoLine. The important thing is to be sure that the alternative is a mild acid that is safe to ingest and non-corrosive to your machine’s metallic components.

Of these alternatives, citric acid is the easiest to get and use. Citric acid is a good alternative as it is a very effective descaler, which I have found to work better than vinegar (acetic acid). It also makes for a virtually odorless cleaning agent, just what you need for a coffee machine. To get it inexpensively, buy it in powder form rather than when it is already diluted. You’ll find it in the store next to canning supplies or online sellers.

To make the cleaning solution for your Nespresso Vertuoline using citric acid, scoop two tablespoons (30 grams) of citric acid into an empty jar that can hold at least one liter of water. Then gently pour in one liter of warm water, stirring as you go. Mix until the citric acid is completely dissolved.

Follow the user manual for the rest of the steps as you would when using the vinegar solution.

To make a lemon descaler, you will need equal parts water and pure, undiluted lemon juice. You will need 5–6 large lemons to get at least ten fluid ounces of lemon juice. Alternatively, get store-bought real lemon juice.

Although white vinegar is the least expensive of the home descalers, I find using lemon juice or citric acid better. With the latter, I need to rinse the machine once or twice to eliminate all traces of the cleaning agent. Vinegar often takes up to five rinses before all hints of the acid disappear. The citric acid in coffee does not taste as unpleasant as vinegar, while lemon juice leaves a pleasant scent.

While all these homemade cleaners may work well, remember that you use them at your own risk, as doing so may void your warranty. 

FAQ SECTION

How long does it take to clean a Nespresso vertuoline?

The descaling process takes about 5 minutes and a maximum of 25 minutes if you include the 20 minutes of drying time.

How much vinegar should I use when cleaning my Nespresso machine?

For each cleaning cycle, you should use ten fluid ounces (300 ml) of white vinegar mixed with ten fluid ounces of water.

Can I use my Nespresso machine before it dries after cleaning?

No, you should not use your Nespresso machine before it dries up after cleaning. The machine will automatically shut off once it dries, which can take up to 20 minutes. Switch it on and use it after this.

Can I clean my Nespresso machine with just water?

You can run the cleaning process with just water, but this will not remove limescale from the machine.

Does a Nespresso machine come with a cleaning guide?

Yes, the cleaning guide for the Nespresso Vertuoline is included in the user manual that comes with your machine. You can also visit the Nespresso website to get the cleaning instructions guide.

How do I know my Nespresso machine is dirty?

You will know your Nespresso machine if you notice one or more of the following things: Your machine repeatedly blinks to indicate it needs descaling. You notice that your coffee has a burnt taste or looks dirty. Your Nespresso machine starts making strange noises while in use. The machine begins pouring coffee slower than normal. Your coffee comes out less hot than normal.

Will a dirty Nespresso make bad coffee?

Yes, a dirty Nespresso will make coffee that does not taste good or is not hot enough.

Can I use baking soda to clean my Nespresso machine?

No, you can’t use baking soda to descale your Nespresso machine by itself. Baking soda is non-acidic and will not offer the chemical reaction required to descale the coffee machine. It also doesn’t dissolve in water and will leave some abrasive residue in your machine even after thorough rinsing.

That said, I find baking soda useful only as a cleaner of last resort when it comes to Nespresso machines, as using it will invalidate your warranty. You may want to use it if your machine needs scrubbing, is stained on the inside, or has a foul odor. In those circumstances, baking soda can be helpful if added to citric acid or vinegar-cleaning solution. Use about a quarter to half a cup, and pour into the mixture in bits to avoid bubbling over. Baking soda will act as a coarse material that will scrub the inside of your machine and lift off stains. It is also a great deodorizing agent.