How to clean your Nespresso® or Dolce Gusto® machine

A quick clean keeps your pod machine making great coffee and stops old coffee residue tainting the taste. It only takes a minute or two, and it's different from descaling (which tackles limescale). Here's the routine.

Cleaning vs descaling

Cleaning removes coffee oils and residue from the parts your drink touches. Descaling removes limescale from the internal waterworks. You should do both — cleaning often, descaling every couple of months. For the latter, see how to descale your coffee machine.

After every use

• Eject the used pod straight away — don't leave it sitting in the machine.
• Run a shot of water through with no pod to flush the spout.
• Wipe the spout and any drips.

Every week or so

• Empty and wash the used-capsule container and drip tray in warm soapy water, then dry.
• Empty and rinse the water tank, and refill with fresh water (don't let water sit for days).
• Wipe the pod holder and the area around the spout to clear coffee build-up.

Why it's worth it

Old coffee oils go rancid and make even good pods taste stale or bitter. A clean machine plus fresh, well-roasted coffee is the simple secret to a consistently great cup.

Speaking of fresh — build a box of freshly roasted pods or beans and save up to 30% with free UK delivery.