Your coffee machine works hard every day — and like any piece of equipment, it needs regular care to perform at its best. Neglect it and you'll notice the signs: slower brewing, weaker crema, off flavours, and eventually, a machine that stops working altogether.
The good news is that keeping your machine in top condition doesn't take long. This step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about cleaning and descaling — whether you have an espresso machine, a Nespresso-compatible machine, or a Moka pot.
Why Cleaning and Descaling Are Different Things
Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they address different problems:
- Cleaning removes coffee oils, grounds, and residue that build up on the machine's surfaces, group head, portafilter, and steam wand. If left, these oils go rancid and give your coffee a bitter, stale taste.
- Descaling removes limescale — the mineral deposits left behind when water is heated. In the UK, where water hardness is high, limescale builds up quickly and is the number one cause of machine failure.
Both are essential. Neither replaces the other.
How Often Should You Clean and Descale?
- Daily: Rinse the portafilter, wipe the steam wand, run a blank shot of water through the group head
- Weekly: Deep clean the portafilter basket, drip tray, and water tank
- Monthly: Backflush the group head (if your machine supports it)
- Every 2–3 months: Full descale cycle — or sooner if your machine prompts you, or if you notice slower brewing or off flavours
Step-by-Step: How to Descale Your Coffee Machine
- Empty the machine. Remove any capsules or coffee grounds, empty the drip tray, and fill the water tank with fresh water.
- Add descaler. Mix the descaling solution with water according to the product instructions. For the Delonghi Descaler, dilute one bottle in the full water tank.
- Start the descaling cycle. Most modern machines have a dedicated descaling mode — consult your manual. The machine will pump the solution through its internal components in stages.
- Rinse thoroughly. Once complete, run two full tanks of fresh water through the machine to flush out any remaining descaler.
- Replace the water filter. This is the ideal time to fit a fresh Delonghi Water Filter to reduce future limescale build-up.
- Run a test shot. Brew a small amount of water (without coffee) to confirm the machine is running normally.
→ What you'll need: Delonghi Value Pack — Descaler & Water Filter | Water Filter for Delonghi Coffee Machines
Step-by-Step: How to Deep Clean Your Espresso Machine
- Clean the portafilter and basket daily. After each use, knock out the puck, rinse under hot water, and wipe dry. Once a week, soak the basket in hot water to dissolve coffee oils.
- Wipe the steam wand immediately after use. Milk dries and hardens quickly. Wipe with a damp cloth straight after steaming, then purge a small amount of steam to clear the tip.
- Backflush the group head. If your machine has a three-way solenoid valve, insert a blind basket and run a backflush cycle with espresso machine cleaner to clear coffee oils.
- Remove and soak the shower screen. Unscrew periodically and soak in hot water or espresso cleaner to remove built-up residue.
- Clean the drip tray and water tank weekly. Wash with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
→ What you'll need: Delonghi Coffee Care Kit — everything you need for a thorough clean in one package.
Signs Your Machine Needs Attention
- Coffee tastes bitter, stale, or off despite using fresh beans
- Espresso shots are running slower or faster than usual
- Crema is thin, pale, or disappears quickly
- The machine is noisier than usual
- Steam pressure has dropped
- The descaling light is on — don't ignore it
Prevention: Use Filtered Water
The single most effective thing you can do to reduce limescale is to use filtered water. An internal water filter softens the water before it enters the boiler, dramatically slowing limescale accumulation and improving the taste of your coffee by removing chlorine and other impurities.
→ Try: Water Filter for Delonghi Coffee Machines
Keep Your Machine — and Your Coffee — at Its Best
A well-maintained machine is a machine that lasts. Regular cleaning and descaling protect your investment, ensure consistent performance, and make sure every cup tastes as good as it should.
→ Shop machine care essentials: Descaler & Water Filter Pack | Coffee Care Kit | Water Filter