We have automatically changed the website language based on your current location. You can manually select a different language using the language selector at any time.
Translations are powered by Google Translate.
We have automatically changed the website language based on your current location. You can manually select a different language using the language selector at any time.
Translations are powered by Google Translate.
If your Nespresso Inissia is brewing more slowly, the coffee tastes flatter than it used to, or the cup isn’t as hot, the cause is often maintenance rather than a fault. The three jobs Inissia owners most commonly skip are descaling, cleaning the capsule area, and emptying the drip tray and water tank.
None of them are difficult. Most take less than a minute. Descaling takes a little longer, but you only need to do it a few times a year.
| How often | What to do |
|---|---|
| Daily | Empty and rinse the drip tray and capsule container. Refill the water tank with fresh water. |
| Every few days | Wipe the capsule area and coffee outlet with a damp cloth. |
| Monthly | Run a cleaning capsule through the machine. |
| Every 2-4 months (more often in hard-water areas) | Descale the machine. |
The most common reason is limescale. Tap water contains dissolved minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium. Each time your machine heats water, a small amount of these minerals is left behind as scale on the heating element and inside the internal pipes.
You won’t see most of it. By the time scale is visible around the outlet, there is usually far more built up inside. As it accumulates, it narrows the water path and makes the heating element less efficient. The result is slower flow, a cooler cup and, over time, extra strain on the machine.
Coffee oil residue and neglected water are the other two culprits, covered below.
If you’ve done all three jobs and your machine still isn’t performing, there may be a mechanical fault. In that case, contact Nespresso or an authorised service centre.
Descaling means running a descaling solution through your machine to dissolve mineral build-up inside the water system. It reaches the parts of the machine you can’t access or clean by hand.
As a general guide, descale every 2-4 months. If you live in a hard-water area, or you make several coffees a day, you may need to do it more often. Check your user manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation for your model.
The Nespresso Inissia has a dedicated descaling mode. The button sequence to enter it is set out in your user manual. In general, the process is:
Use a descaler made for your coffee machine, like the Caffenu Eco Descaler Liquid.
Scale keeps building. Flow slows, coffee temperature drops and the machine has to work harder to heat water. Left long enough, heavy scale can block the water path completely.
Every coffee you make leaves a thin film of coffee oil in and around the capsule area and the coffee outlet. On its own, one cup’s worth is nothing. Over weeks and months, that oil builds up, hardens and can turn stale, which can affect the taste of your coffee.
The Nespresso Inissia uses OriginalLine capsules, so make sure any cleaning capsule you use is designed for Nespresso OriginalLine machines. The Caffenu Cleaning Capsules for Nespresso Original is 100% compatible with the Nespresso OriginalLine
Water that sits in the drip tray, capsule container or water tank for days is warm, damp and exposed to coffee residue. Those are good conditions for bacteria and mould to grow, and for a slimy film (known as biofilm) to form on surfaces.
Empty the drip tray and capsule container and refresh the water daily, wipe the capsule area every few days, run a cleaning capsule monthly, and descale roughly every three months.
Yes, provided it’s designed for Nespresso OriginalLine machines. The Inissia is an OriginalLine model.
Built-up coffee oil in the brewing area is a common cause. Wiping the capsule area regularly and running a monthly cleaning capsule usually helps. Old water sitting in the tank can also affect taste.
No. Descaling removes mineral deposits from the water system. Cleaning removes coffee oil and residue from the brewing area. Your machine needs both.
If a full descale and rinse doesn’t improve flow, there may be a blockage or mechanical fault. Contact Nespresso or an authorised service centre.
Descale every few months. Clean the capsule area regularly. Empty the tray and tank every day. Together, these habits help your Inissia keep brewing the way it did when it was new.
Nespresso® and Inissia are trademarks of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Caffenu is not affiliated with or endorsed by Nestlé or Nespresso.
Most bean to cup machine owners think maintenance means one thing: giving it a clean. In reality, your machine is running two completely separate maintenance cycles, and most people only know about one of them.
Understanding the difference between the two isn’t optional. Skip either one, and you’re heading for a machine that runs slower, brews colder coffee, or fails early.
Bean to cup machines run two completely separate maintenance cycles. Descaling deals with mineral buildup in the water circuit. Cleaning deals with coffee oil and ground residue in the brew chamber. Because manufacturers focus their messaging on descaling, cleaning ends up treated as an afterthought, or skipped entirely in favour of a rinse.
That’s a mistake. Here’s why.
Every shot leaves behind coffee grounds and oils inside the brew chamber. A rinse with water moves loose grounds out of the way, but it does not touch the oil residue that coats the internal components shot after shot.
Left uncleaned, that residue does not just sit there quietly. Coffee oils turn rancid over time, and a warm, damp brew chamber is exactly the kind of environment where mould can take hold if the equipment isn’t properly cleaned. That’s not a cosmetic issue. It’s a hygiene issue, sitting in the part of the machine that touches every cup you make.
Vinegar is a common home remedy people reach for, along with a simple rinse, because it feels like an active cleaning step rather than just running water through the machine. The problem is that vinegar and similar home remedies aren’t designed to break down coffee oils and residue the way a specialised detergent is. They aren’t formulated for the job.
Coffee equipment needs a cleaning product like the Caffenu Coffee Machine Cleaning Tablet built specifically to lift oil residue out of the brew chamber, not a generic household acid that happens to be sitting in the cupboard. This is the same logic as descaling: you wouldn’t use a random household product to dissolve limescale, and you shouldn’t use one to clean out oil residue either. Descaling needs a specific formulation like the Caffenu Eco Descaler or Caffenu Descaling Tablets to effectively break down scale build-up in your machine.
To be clear, this isn’t an argument for skipping descaling. Limescale is a real and separate problem:
But descaling has had its moment of public education. Cleaning hasn’t, and it deserves equal attention:
A cleaning tablet is formulated to break down coffee oils and grounds in the brew chamber. It is not formulated to dissolve mineral deposits in your water lines. No amount of cleaning tablet use will remove limescale, because it’s solving a different chemical problem entirely.
Limescale doesn’t stay put. As it builds up, it clogs the water circuit. The practical effects for you as the owner:
This is why regular cleaning alone is not full maintenance. It only addresses half the problem.
A descaling solution is built specifically to dissolve mineral deposits inside the water circuit and pump. It’s a different formulation for a different job, working on a different part of the machine than a cleaning tablet does.
Run both routines, on their own schedules, with the products actually designed for each job:
Your machine, and every cup that comes out of it, depends on both being done properly.
No. Rinsing removes loose grounds but does not remove the oil residue that coats the brew chamber. That residue needs a specialised cleaning product to break it down properly.
Vinegar is a common home remedy, but it isn’t formulated to remove coffee oil residue the way a purpose-made cleaning tablet is. It’s not built for the job the same way a descaling solution is specifically built to dissolve limescale.
Coffee oils and grounds build up over time. Left uncleaned, this residue can turn rancid, and the brew chamber’s warm, damp environment creates conditions where mould can develop if it isn’t properly cleaned.
Neither is optional. They solve different problems in different parts of the machine. Descaling has simply had more public education behind it, which is why cleaning tends to get overlooked.
A cleaning tablet formulated specifically for coffee equipment, designed to break down coffee oils and grounds rather than a generic household product.
Yes. Cleaning removes coffee grounds and oil residue from the brew chamber. Descaling removes mineral limescale from the water circuit and pump. They address different problems and use different products.
Limescale builds up and clogs the water circuit, which leads to colder coffee, reduced machine speed, and potential long-term damage to the pump and heating elements.
Cleaning frequency depends on usage volume (typically after 50 cups of coffee made or at least once a month, per your machine’s manual). Descaling frequency depends on your water hardness (but typically every 2-4 months). Check your machine’s manual or water hardness rating to set the right interval.
Your Barista Express needs two different clean-ups, and they are not the same thing.
The cleaning cycle uses a tablet to wash old coffee oil out of the machine. It takes five minutes.
Descaling uses a descaling liquid to dissolve the chalky mineral build-up that hard water leaves behind. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
The light on the front tells you which one you need. Flashing means clean. Steady means descale. You need both. A cleaning tablet does nothing to limescale, and descaler does nothing to coffee oil. Doing one and skipping the other is why so many people descale their machine and find the coffee still tastes off.
Nothing is broken. Two things are quietly clogging up your machine.
Between them, these two are behind almost every complaint people have about their Barista Express: weak coffee, bitter coffee, slow shots, feeble steam, coffee that is never quite hot enough.
That little CLEAN / DESCALE light does two jobs, and most people never realise it.
| The light is… | Your machine wants… |
|---|---|
| Flashing | A cleaning cycle, with a tablet |
| Steady, not flashing | A descale, with descaling solution |
| Off | Nothing right now |
If your machine is an older one and the light just says CLEAN, run the cleaning cycle when it comes on and put descaling in your diary every couple of months instead.
Do this when the light is flashing, or every couple of months if you use the machine daily.
What you need: your small (1 cup) basket, the little rubber disc with a hole in the middle that came with the machine, one Cleaning Tablet, and a decent sized bowl or jug.
If you cannot find the rubber disc, check the accessories drawer tucked in behind the drip tray. That is where it usually ends up.

Count it out. Ten seconds feels like ages when you are standing there holding three buttons. Letting go too soon is the number one reason nothing happens. Count to ten out loud if you have to.
Do this when the light is steady, or every two to three months. Different product, different routine.
Two things before you start. Take the water filter out of the tank first, because descaler will ruin it in one go. Put it back in when you are completely finished. And do not pull the water tank out or let it run bone dry while the cycle is going. The pump does not like running with nothing in it.
What you need: Caffenu Eco Power Descaler for Breville & Sage, a container that holds at least two litres, and about twenty minutes where you are not in a rush.

Get everything ready first. The machine switches itself off if you leave it sitting in descaling mode for five minutes without doing anything, and then you have to start over from step 3. Have your container, your tank and your solution sorted before you begin.
Coffee oil builds up on the grinder blades too, and that quietly changes how much coffee you are actually getting in the basket. It is often why shots suddenly start running fast or slow for no obvious reason.
Take the bean hopper off, run the grinder empty for a few seconds to clear it, then unclip and lift out the top grinding burr. Give both burrs and the chute a going over with the little brush that came with the machine. The burrs are genuinely sharp, so mind your fingers. Put the top burr back, lock it, set the grind size back to 5 and refit the hopper.
After every use: rinse your portafilter and basket under the hot tap. Wipe the steam wand, then blast a bit of steam through it over the drip tray to clear the milk out of the inside.
When the basket holes block: use the pin on the end of the cleaning tool. If they are really stuck, dissolve a cleaning tablet in hot water and let the basket and portafilter soak for twenty minutes.
Every couple of months: change the water filter in the tank. It genuinely reduces how often you need to descale. If you already use filtered or bottled water, you do not need the filter at all.
Now and then: wipe the metal shower screen where the water comes out. Coffee grounds collect up there.
Eventually: the rubber seal around the shower screen wears out. You will know because coffee starts leaking out around the edge of the portafilter instead of into your cup. It is a replaceable part and the machine comes with the tool for it.
| What | How often |
|---|---|
| Rinse portafilter and basket | Every time |
| Wipe and clear the steam wand | Every time you steam milk |
| Empty the drip tray | When it says EMPTY ME |
| Cleaning cycle | When the light flashes |
| Clean the grinder burrs | Every 2 to 3 months |
| Change the water tank filter | Every 2 months |
| Descale | Every 2 to 3 months, or when the light goes steady |
Hard water means doing it more often. If you are in a hard water area you will be descaling and changing filters more frequently than the guide above. Worth finding out what your local water is like.
We would not. Vinegar is slow at shifting limescale, it needs to sit there for ages, and the smell hangs around in the machine long after you think you have rinsed it out. Loose citric acid from the supermarket is a different problem: it is not measured out for coffee machines and can be harsh on the rubber seals inside. Proper descalers are made for what is actually inside these machines. It is also worth a look at your warranty terms before you put anything unofficial through it.
If you bought yours in the UK, Ireland or Europe it will say Sage on the front rather than Breville. It is the same machine and everything above applies: one clean-up for coffee oil, another for limescale, both needed.
Sage model numbers start with SES instead of BES. If a button combination here does not behave quite as described, have a quick look at your own manual before you keep trying it.
Usually old coffee oil, limescale, or both. Run the cleaning cycle first, then descale if the machine is still slow, weak on steam or not hot enough. If it is only the timing of your shot that has changed, check your grind and how much coffee you are putting in before blaming the machine.https://youtu.be/HBd9f1-OMEY
Flashing means run the cleaning cycle with a tablet. Steady means descale with descaling solution. Two different jobs, two different products.
The actual running is less than a minute at a time, but with warming up, the second pass and the plain water rinse, set aside 15 to 20 minutes.
Nearly always one of three things: not holding the buttons long enough, the machine not being properly switched off first, or the water tank not clicked all the way down. Also remember it times out after five minutes of sitting idle, so you may just need to start again.
Water alone will not shift the oil. The tablet is what breaks it down, and the rubber disc is what forces the water backwards through the machine to reach the places a normal shot never touches.
We would, yes. Descaler uses the filter up in one go. Take it out, then put it back once you have done the plain water rinse.
Yes, and it is a good idea. Clean first, then descale. If you do it the other way round you are pushing loosened coffee oil into a machine you have just cleaned out.
Almost certainly not rinsed enough. Run another full tank of plain water through the coffee outlet, steam wand and hot water spout, then make one coffee and pour it away.
If your Delonghi Magnifica S is producing weaker, bitter, or off-tasting coffee, or running slower than it used to, the cause is almost always one of two things: built-up coffee oils in the brew unit, or limescale in the internal pipes.
Both are normal. Both are avoidable. And both are fixable in under 15 minutes with the right process.
This guide walks through exactly how to clean and descale your Delonghi Magnifica S, why each step matters, and how often you should be doing it.
Every espresso machine with a built-in brew group faces the same two enemies over time:
Neither issue is a fault with the machine. It’s normal wear from daily use, and it’s exactly what routine cleaning and descaling is designed to prevent.
The brew unit is the heart of your Magnifica S, and it needs the most frequent attention.
Running the cycle until the water is clear is the key indicator that the coffee oil residue has been properly flushed out, rather than just cleaning on a fixed schedule.
Once the brew unit is clean, move on to descaling the internal water system.
As a general rule:
Your Magnifica S may also prompt you with a descaling alert on the display. Don’t ignore it. Waiting until the machine forces the issue usually means limescale has already built up more than it should have.
Using products designed specifically for espresso machines matters. The Caffenu’s Cleaning Tablets , the Descaler or even the 2-in-1 Cleaning & Descaling Kit are compatible with the Delonghi Magnifica S and formulated to clear coffee oil residue and limescale without leaving behind harmful chemical residue or damaging internal seals and components.
Signs include slower brew times, reduced water flow, a build-up of white or chalky deposits around the water outlet, and the machine’s built-in descale alert activating.
It’s not recommended. Vinegar can leave a residual smell and taste, and it isn’t formulated to protect the internal seals and components the way a purpose-made descaler is.
Coffee oil build-up affects extraction and flavour, and over time can cause the brew unit to stick or malfunction, leading to more significant repairs.
Yes. Cleaning the brew unit removes coffee oil residue from the parts that come into direct contact with coffee grounds. Descaling clears mineral deposits from the machine’s internal water pipes and heating system. Both are necessary, and neither replaces the other.
A dirty coffee machine doesn’t just taste worse. It brews at the wrong temperature, clogs internal water lines, and wears out parts faster than a machine that’s properly maintained. Here’s the full two-step cleaning and descaling routine for the Saeco Minuto HD8763, plus how often to do it.
Every espresso and coffee shot leaves behind oil residue in the brew group. Every tank refill adds mineral deposits from water, especially in hard water areas. Left unaddressed, this buildup:
Two products handle both problems: a cleaning tablet for the brew group, and a descaler for the internal water system.
This step targets coffee oil buildup and residue in the brew group specifically, the part of the machine that plain water rinsing doesn’t reach.
Both outlets need separate flushing because scale builds up along both water paths, not just one.
Daily use or hard water areas: Clean weekly & descale every two weeks.
Standard use: clean weekly and descale every 2-3 months.
Signs include slower brew time, lower water flow, a metallic or flat taste, and visible white scale around the water tank or spout.
Vinegar is not recommended for fully automatic machines. It can damage internal seals and doesn’t fully dissolve mineral scale the way a purpose-built descaler does.
No. Cleaning the brew group and descaling the water system are separate tasks. Clean the brew group weekly; descale on the schedule above based on water hardness and usage (Typically every 2-3 months).
Untreated scale and oil buildup reduces brew temperature, blocks water flow, and increases the risk of expensive repairs or early machine failure.
Have you ever noticed that your coffee maker or kettle isn’t performing as efficiently as it once did? Maybe it’s taking longer to brew coffee or heat water. If this sounds familiar, you might need a descaling solution.
Descaling is the process of removing mineral deposits, primarily calcium and magnesium, that can accumulate inside appliances like coffee makers, kettles, and even dishwashers. There are two common descaling products on the market: descaling liquid and descaling tablets.
In this blog, we’ll explore the key differences between these two options to help you make an informed decision on which one is right for your needs.
Descaling liquid is a popular choice for those looking to rid their appliances of mineral build-up. It typically comes in a 200ml bottle, providing two descaling cycles. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using descaling liquid:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Descaling tablets are an alternative to descaling liquid, but also an easy-to-use solution. These tablets are specially designed to remove limescale and mineral build-up efficiently. Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of using descaling tablets:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
The choice between descaling liquid and descaling tablets ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some factors to consider:
Descaling is an essential maintenance task to keep your coffee machine running efficiently and to extend its lifespan. Whether you choose descaling liquid or descaling tablets, both options are effective at removing mineral deposits and limescale. Your decision should be based on factors like appliance compatibility, cost, and personal preference.
Regular descaling will help ensure your machine continues to perform at its best and provide you with great-tasting coffee, tea, and more.
Welcome to our step-by-step guide on how to use the Caffenu® Eco Power Descaler for Nespresso® Vertuo® machines. Descaling your Nespresso® machine is an important step in maintaining its optimal performance and ensuring the longevity of your machine. The Vertuo® Descaler® is specifically designed to remove built-up mineral deposits, which can negatively impact the taste of your coffee and even damage your machine over time.
In this guide, we will walk you through the entire descaling process, from preparing your machine to flushing out the descaling solution. With our easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll have your Nespresso® machine descaled and ready to brew delicious coffee in no time. So, let’s get started!
Important points to note before you start the descaling process:



Before Descaling: Have 800 ml (27.05 fl oz) of water ready, and a full bottle of 200 ml (6.75 fl oz) descaler.
Descaling time is ± 20 minutes.

Before Descaling: Have 800 ml (27.05 fl oz) of water ready, and a full bottle of 200 ml (6.75 fl oz) descaler.
Descaling time is ± 20 minutes.
Valentine’s Day is here, and there’s no doubt you are showering those closest to you with love and appreciation! But what about your coffee machine? If you love your coffee machine, you need to show it. But how can you do that? It’s not like it would enjoy a hug.
The answer is simple: maintenance through regular cleaning & descaling!
Cleaning your coffee machine and equipment is essential for keeping your machine in top performance, as well as the taste of the coffee.
Cleaning your coffee machine with a Caffenu Cleaning Capsule will help with:
Descaling your coffee machine every 3 – 6 months with the Caffenu liquid descaler will help with removing limescale, calcium, and rust build-up from your coffee machine’s heating element & pipes, which will not only improve your coffee’s taste & temperature but will also enhance its performance as well as extend its lifespan!
Check out our reseller page to see where you can find Caffenu products in your area! And remember, love your machine, and it will love you back! ❤
Cleaning and maintaining your coffee equipment is as important as the coffee you buy when it comes to fresh quality coffee. Some cleaning products are simply a non-negotiable if you want to look after your equipment properly. We had a look at the Top 4 most popular Caffenu coffee machine cleaning products and will tell you below exactly how to use them and on which coffee machine they can and should be used on. Here’s to cleaning your coffee machine and enjoying fresher coffee!
The Descaler can be used on any coffee machine, kettle, and urn. It is probably the most important first step which any coffee machine requires so that limescale and mineral build-up does not lead to cold coffee, and machine blockage. Descale at least every 2-4 months depending on water hardness in your area.
Always consult your manufacturer’s instructions for descaling and rinsing procedures, first. General instructions below.
For Coffee Machines
For Kettle and Urns
Avoid splashing descaler on acid intolerant surfaces such as marble, silver, and limestone. Check out this cool video below on how to use the Caffenu® Eco Descaler.
The Caffenu cleaning capsule cleans the brewing chamber and spout of your machine in just 2 minutes. It removes residue and build-up from inaccessible areas. Here at Caffenu we have a wide range of Cleaning capsules. Take a look at the range of Caffenu cleaning capsules. See below for instructions on how to use most cleaning capsules.
Below is a cool video showing you how to use our Nespresso compatible cleaning capsule.
The Caffenu cleaning tablets remove dirty coffee oils, odours and bitter tannins found inside brewing units, pots, and filters. They are suitable to be used on Fully Automatic, Espresso, and Filter coffee machines.
For machines with chute/chamber for pre-ground coffee
For machines with a portafilter/coffee handle with back flushing capability
Find more information on our cleaning tablets, their usage instructions, and suitability.
The Caffenu cleaning powder removes dirty coffee oils, odours and bitter tannins from your group heads, lines, and valves. Suitable for all Manual and Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines.
Group Head Back Flushing Cleaning:
Place 1 teaspoon (3-5 g) of cleaning powder in the blind filter. Start brew cycle for 10 seconds, then stop for 10 seconds. Repeat the procedure 5 times. Remove portafilter and start brew cycle, rinse portafilter with water from group head. Re-insert portafilter without the powder and conduct flushing procedure. Make and discard the first cup of Espresso.
Weekly cleaning of filters, handles, holders, trays, and cups:
Dissolve 2 teaspoons (8-10 g) of cleaning powder per 1 litre of how water in a suitable container. Place objects to clean in solution for 20 minutes, ensure parts are clean. Rinse with fresh water thoroughly.
Check this short video on How to clean commercial machines with Caffenu Cleaning Powder.
Descaling & Cleaning your Nescafé® Dolce Gusto® Capsule Coffee Machine doesn’t need to be a big task. In fact it can be a rewarding experience. After you give your machine that spring clean, you will be rewarded with a hot, fresh cup of coffee. That is ultimately what you really want to get out of your coffee machine, right?
So, let’s discuss why and how you should be cleaning your Nescafé® Dolce Gusto® Capsule Machine.
Whether you use your machine daily or only every now and then, here is a fact for you: Every time you brew a coffee, the water that is running through your machine leaves mineral and limescale residue on the heating element and piping of your coffee machine. This limescale build-up also leads to weak machine performance, and it can result in cold, bad-tasting coffee or lead to leaks and blockage which might cause damage to your machine. It can also clog the water/brewing needle which can affect the flow of your coffee and make it slow. A tip to slow down the build-up of limescale is to use filtered water in your machine’s reservoir. However even with using filtered water, there will be a time where limescale needs to be attended to.
Apart from the limescale on the inside of your Capsule Coffee machine, there is also other areas that can get dirty. Don’t forget to clean the capsule holder and your drip tray. These can all build up coffee residue that needs to be cleaned. The residue can cause bacteria and foul smells that are definitely not wanted inside your next cup of coffee.
Thankfully there is fairly easy ways to clean your machine without the need for elbow grease and industrial-grade detergents.
There is two steps to keeping your machine maintained well so it can give you the best coffee and last a long time.
The first step is descaling. A descaler is key to remove limescale and mineral build-up from a coffee machine’s heating element and piping. Plus descaling also removes the residue build-up from your coffee machine’s brewing needle. Below is a quick breakdown on how to descale.
First check your machine manufacturer’s instruction manual for descaling and rinsing procedures.
The second step is cleaning. Usually it is recommended to use a Cleaning Capsule for this step, but in the case of the Dolce Gusto®, the actual capsule you use serves as the brew chamber. So you only need to clean the rest of your machine which is the capsule holder and drip tray. Remove the capsule holder and drip tray and soak it in hot water with dish soap. Then give it a clean with a toothbrush and/or cloth, and rinse. Lastly, use a brush with medium-hard bristles to gently clean where the capsule holder fits in to remove the residue.
It is safe to say that you have just spring cleaned your Dolce Gusto® coffee machine. Here’s to great coffee!
We value your privacy. No details will be shared with external parties.