How to Descale Your Nespresso Vertuo: Step-by-Step for Every Model

Descale your Vertuo every 2 to 4 months, without waiting for the descaling light to come on. The process takes about 20 minutes. If your Vertuo’s light blinks three times and then turns steady, the machine is asking to be descaled. Descaling removes the limescale that builds up inside your machine from everyday use. The process takes a few minutes of hands-on time, and you’ll need one dose of Caffenu Descaler for Vertuo, half a litre of water and a large container.

This is part two of our Vertuo care series. If you haven’t cleaned your machine yet, start with part one: how to clean your Vertuo.

Quick answer: how do you descale a Vertuo?

Empty the drip tray and capsule container. Add one dose of descaler and 0.5 L of water to the tank. Enter descaling mode by holding the button for about nine seconds, then run the cycle. Let it stand for five minutes, rinse the tank, and run a final rinse with fresh water.

What does the Vertuo descaling light mean?

When the light blinks three times and then goes steady, your Vertuo is telling you it’s time to descale. Limescale forms from the minerals in tap water. Over time it can build up inside the machine, which is why descaling is part of regular maintenance.

What you’ll need

• One dose (100ml) of Caffenu Descaler for Vertuo
• 0.5 litres of water
• A large container that fits under the coffee spout

How to descale a Vertuo Next, Pop, Evoluo or VertuoLine

1. Empty the machine. Eject any used capsule. Empty the water tank, drip tray and capsule container. Close the machine head without locking it.
2. Position your container. Place a 1 L container under the coffee spout.
3. Add descaler and water. Mix 100 ml of descaler with 0.5 L of water and fill the tank.
4. Switch on. Turn the machine on and wait for the light to go steady. Keep the head unlocked.
5. Enter descaling mode. Hold the button for 9 seconds, until the light blinks fast.
6. Lock, unlock and repeat. Lock the machine, unlock it, then hold the button for 9 seconds again.
7. Start descaling. Lock the machine and press the button once. The cycle stops by itself when it’s done.
8. Wait 5 minutes.
9. Rinse the tank. Empty the container. Rinse the water tank thoroughly and refill it with 1 L of fresh water.
10. Run the rinse cycle. Press the button. The machine stops automatically.
11. Exit descaling mode. Hold the button for 9 seconds until the light goes steady. You can skip this step on the Vertuo Next and Vertuo Pop.
12. Clean up. Clean the drip tray, cup stand and capsule container.
13. Wait 5 minutes before using your machine.

How to descale a VertuoPlus

1. Empty the machine. Eject any used capsule. Empty the water tank, drip tray and capsule container, then close the machine.
2. Position your container. Place a 1 L container under the coffee spout.
3. Add descaler and water. Mix 100 ml of descaler with 0.5 L of water and fill the tank.
4. Switch on. Turn the machine on and wait for the light to go steady.
5. Switch off with the lever. Push the lever down for 3 seconds to turn the machine off.
6. Enter descaling mode. Hold the lever and the button down together for 3 seconds.
7. Select descaling. Press the lever down once.
8. Start descaling. Press the button. The light blinks while the cycle runs, and the machine stops when it’s done.
9. Rinse the tank. Rinse the water tank thoroughly and refill it with 1 L of fresh water.
10. Run the rinse cycle. Press the button. The machine stops automatically, and the orange light blinks every 2 seconds.
11. Exit descaling mode. Hold the lever and the button down together for 3 seconds, until the light turns green and steady.
12. Clean up. Clean the drip tray, cup stand and capsule container.
13. Wait 5 minutes before using your machine.

Got a Vertuo Lattissima or Vertuo Creatista?

These machines use a different process. They need a full 200 ml bottle of descaler and 800 ml of water, and descaling takes about 20 minutes.

Frequently Asked questions

How often should I descale my Vertuo?

Every 2 to 4 months. Don’t wait for the descaling light to come on.

How long does it take to descale a Vertuo?

About 20 minutes from start to finish.

How much descaler do I use?

For the Next, Pop, Evoluo, VertuoLine and Plus, mix 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) of descaler with 0.5 L (17 fl oz) of water.

How do I put my Vertuo Next into descaling mode?

Close the head without locking it, switch the machine on and wait for a steady light. Then hold the button for 9 seconds until it blinks fast.

How do I put my VertuoPlus into descaling mode?

Turn the machine off by pushing the lever down for 3 seconds. Then hold the lever and button together for 3 seconds, and press the lever down once.

Do I need to exit descaling mode on a Vertuo Next or Pop?

No. On the Next and Pop the machine doesn’t need the 9-second exit step.

What if my machine switches off during descaling?

Don’t interrupt the process. Let descaling finish.

Should I clean or descale first?

Clean first, then descale. See part one: how to clean your Vertuo.

These are general Vertuo descaling guidelines. Always check your machine’s manual for model-specific instructions.

Caffenu® is not a product of Nespresso® Vertuo® and is not related to it in any way. Nespresso® Vertuo® is a registered trademark of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.