Kitchen & Appliances

How to Clean and Descale a Nespresso VertuoPlus

The Nespresso VertuoPlus and VertuoPlus Deluxe use a motorized head and movable water tank, which makes their care sequence different from the manually locked Vertuo Next. Routine hand-cleaning removes drips and spent-capsule residue, the three-press cleaning cycle flushes the coffee path, and the special-functions descale program removes internal mineral scale. Keeping those jobs separate protects the barcode-reading brewing system and helps prevent cleaner from remaining in the machine.

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Primary reference: Nespresso: VertuoPlus descaling guide. Always check the manual for your exact model.

Quick reference

Routine cycle
Press the coffee button three times in two seconds with an empty, closed head.
Descale timing
About three months or 300 capsules, subject to the alert and current instructions.
Mixture
Use Nespresso Vertuo descaler plus at least 17 ounces of water; never vinegar.
Container
Use a stable heat-safe vessel holding at least 27 ounces.
Finish
Complete the rinse, exit special functions, and rest the machine ten minutes.

What you will need

  • Nespresso Vertuo descaling kit
  • Fresh drinking water
  • A container holding at least 27 fluid ounces
  • Mild, odorless dish soap
  • A soft damp cloth
  • A soft nonabrasive brush for removable parts
  • The official VertuoPlus descaling guide

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Eject the capsule and power down safely

Tap the lever to open the motorized head and let the used capsule fall into the container. Confirm that the capsule seat is empty. Close the head, turn the machine off as the selected procedure directs, and unplug it for hand-cleaning. Never push the head by hand, obstruct it while moving, or reach into the chamber while powered.

Step 2: Wash the removable tray and capsule bin

Remove the cup support, drip tray, and used-capsule container. Empty coffee liquid and capsules before residue dries. Wash with warm water, mild odorless soap, and a soft cloth, then rinse and air-dry. Clean the recess where the bin sits with a barely damp cloth; do not allow water to pool in the base.

Step 3: Clean the movable water tank

Lift the tank from its arm, empty stale water, and hand-wash the tank and lid gently. Rinse until no soap remains and wipe the supporting arm without forcing it beyond its intended range. Fill with fresh drinking water and seat the tank firmly so its valve connects without leaking.

Step 4: Wipe only accessible head surfaces

With power disconnected and the head open, wipe accessible coffee residue from the capsule seat and outlet with a clean damp cloth. Avoid pressure on the barcode reader, injector, and rotating mechanism. Do not spray cleaner into the head, use sharp tools, flood the chamber, or disassemble the motorized assembly.

Step 5: Run a water-only cleaning cycle

Fill the tank, close the empty head, place a large container under the outlet, and switch the machine on. Press the coffee button three times within two seconds to start the automatic cleaning cycle. The process takes roughly seven minutes and can stop and restart as it flushes. Let it finish, then discard the hot water.

Step 6: Prepare the official descale mixture

Nespresso recommends descaling after about three months or 300 capsules, whichever comes first, subject to the machine's alert and local water. Eject the capsule, empty the cup support and capsule container, and add one unit of Nespresso descaling liquid plus at least 17 fluid ounces of water. Place a vessel holding at least 27 fluid ounces under the outlet. Do not use vinegar.

Step 7: Enter VertuoPlus special functions

Turn the machine off by holding the lever down for three seconds. Press the coffee button and push the lever down together for three seconds; an orange light indicates the special-functions menu. Press the lever down once to select descaling, then press the coffee button to begin. Keep the collection vessel in place and do not interrupt the automatic flow.

Step 8: Rinse, exit, and rest the machine

When the solution stage stops, empty and rinse the tank and collection vessel. Fill the tank with fresh water and press the button to run the rinse. Exit descale mode by pressing the button and lever down together for three seconds, then allow the machine to rest for ten minutes. If your revision's official guide differs, follow that guide.

Specific cleaning questions

Open a question for a concise answer about stains, odors, safety, frequency, and troubleshooting.

How is VertuoPlus cleaning different from descaling?
The three-press, water-only cleaning cycle flushes coffee residue. Descaling uses Nespresso solution and the orange-light special-functions menu to dissolve mineral scale, followed by a freshwater rinse and exit sequence.
Can I use vinegar in a VertuoPlus?
No. Nespresso specifically warns that vinegar or store-bought substitutes may damage the machine. Use the Nespresso Vertuo descaling kit in the quantity stated by the official guide.
How often should I descale a VertuoPlus?
Nespresso's guide recommends about every three months or 300 capsules, whichever comes first. Hard water, use, and the machine's warning can affect timing, so treat the current alert and assistance page as controlling.
Why did pressing the button three times not descale it?
Three quick button presses start the routine cleaning cycle, not descale mode. Descaling begins from the special-functions menu with the machine off and uses the combined button-and-lever sequence.
Can I push the VertuoPlus head closed by hand?
No. Use the lever and allow the motor to move the head. Forcing or obstructing it can damage the mechanism. Disconnect power and contact Nespresso if the head cannot move normally.
What size container is needed for VertuoPlus descaling?
The official guide specifies a vessel holding at least 27 fluid ounces. Choose a heat-safe container that sits stably under the outlet and empty it carefully because the liquid may be hot.
Why is the light still orange after the rinse?
The machine may still be in special-functions mode. Complete the rinse, then use the official button-and-lever exit sequence for three seconds. Compare any continuing pattern with Nespresso assistance rather than unplugging mid-cycle.
How do I clean coffee from the capsule chamber?
Open the empty head, unplug the machine, and wipe accessible residue with a soft damp cloth. Do not scrape the barcode area, puncture components, or spinning assembly, and never pour water into the head.