How to Clean Your Nespresso Vertuo: A Step-by-Step Guide

Your Vertuo will never tell you it needs cleaning. There’s a warning light for descaling, but nothing to tell you when coffee residue is building up inside the machine. The fix takes a few minutes: run a cleaning cycle with a Vertuo cleaning capsule every 30 coffees or once a month.

Here’s exactly how to do it.

Quick answer

To clean a Nespresso Vertuo, switch the machine on with a full water tank, place a glass under the outlet, insert a cleaning capsule, close and lock the lever, then press the button three times quickly. The light blinks to show the cleaning cycle is running. When it stops, carefully remove the hot capsule.

What you need

• Your Vertuo machine, switched on
• A full water tank
• A glass or container to catch the water
• One Caffenu Cleaning Capsule for Nespresso Vertuo

How to clean your Vertuo in 6 steps

1. Get the machine ready. Switch your Vertuo on, make sure the water tank is full and place a glass under the coffee outlet.
2. Insert the cleaning capsule. Unlock the lever, open the head and drop in the cleaning capsule, the same way you would a coffee capsule.
3. Close and lock. Close the head and lock the lever.
4. Start cleaning mode. Tap the button three times quickly. The light blinks twice per second when the cleaning cycle is running.
5. Let it run. Leave the machine to complete the full cycle. Don’t open the head while it’s running.
6. Remove the capsule. When the machine stops, unlock and remove the used capsule. Be careful: it will be hot.

That’s it. Your Vertuo is clean.

Using a different Vertuo model? Button sequences and light patterns can vary between models. If your machine doesn’t respond as described, check your user manual for how to start the cleaning cycle.

What does the blinking light mean?

A light blinking twice per second after you tap the button three times means the machine is in cleaning mode. Let it finish before touching the lever.

How often should you clean a Vertuo?

Run a cleaning cycle every 30 coffees or once a month, whichever comes first. If you drink several cups a day, that could mean cleaning every week or two. Setting a monthly reminder on your phone is the easiest way to stay on top of it.

Is cleaning the same as descaling?

No. They’re two different jobs.

• Cleaning removes coffee residue from the parts that brew your coffee. Your Vertuo won’t remind you to do this.
• Descaling removes limescale (mineral build-up from water) from the machine’s water system. Your Vertuo has a descaling alert for this.

You need both to keep your machine in good shape. We cover descaling in part two of this guide.

Frequently asked questions

How do I put my Vertuo into cleaning mode?

With a cleaning capsule inserted and the lever locked, tap the button three times quickly. The light then blinks twice per second to show the cleaning cycle has started.

Can I use a cleaning capsule like a normal coffee capsule?

Yes. It goes into the machine the same way. The difference is that you start the cleaning cycle with three quick taps instead of a normal brew.

How often should I clean my Nespresso Vertuo?

Every 30 coffees or once a month, whichever comes first.

 

Will my Vertuo tell me when it needs cleaning?

No. Your Vertuo has an alert for descaling, but not for cleaning. That’s why a regular routine matters.

 

Is the capsule hot after cleaning?

Yes. Wait a moment and handle it with care when you remove it.

Keep your Vertuo clean with Caffenu

Caffenu has been making coffee machine cleaning and care products since 2013. Our Cleaning Capsules for Nespresso Vertuo make the monthly clean as easy as making a coffee.

Nespresso® and Vertuo® are registered trademarks of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Caffenu is not affiliated with or endorsed by Nestlé or Nespresso. Product names are used for compatibility purposes only.