Guide · Bean-to-cup machines
How to descale a De'Longhi Eletta Explore step by step
How to descale a De'Longhi Eletta Explore from De'Longhi's manual: the touchscreen alert, De'Longhi descaler, a 2 litre container, the filter step and the rinses, in about 30 minutes.
A De’Longhi Eletta Explore descale is guided on the touchscreen, and the machine tells you when it’s due based on what you make and how hard your water is. It takes about 30 minutes and needs a bigger container than you might expect. We haven’t tested this in person. The steps below come from De’Longhi’s instructions for the Eletta Explore range (ECAM45X.5Y, 45X.6Y and 45X.8Y), which we read on 3 Oct 2026. Always check the manual for your own machine. Read how we compare.
Short answer: how to descale a De’Longhi Eletta Explore
When the descale message appears, press “Ok” and follow the screen. You’ll attach the water spout, empty the drip tray and grounds container, and remove the water filter. Then add one 100 ml pack of De’Longhi descaler to level A and 1 litre of water to level B. Put a container of at least 2 litres under the spouts and start. Afterwards, the machine runs two rinses with a full tank each time.
Who it isn’t for: owners of the Rivelia or Magnifica. Their steps are similar but not identical, so use the guide for your model.
When the Eletta Explore needs descaling
The machine works out when to descale from the number and type of drinks you make and your water hardness setting. When it’s time, a message appears on the homepage. If you press “Cancel”, the descale symbol stays on the homepage as a reminder, and the message comes back every time you switch on.
You can check how long you have left at any time. Open the settings menu, scroll to “Descaling”, and a progress bar shows how long until the alarm appears.
Set your water hardness first
The manual says to set the correct water hardness straight away, so the alerts come at the right intervals. Dip the “Total hardness test” strip from the welcome pack in a glass of water for about a second, shake it, and after about a minute count the red squares. Then open settings, choose “Water hardness”, press “Set” and pick the matching level. De’Longhi’s table includes English degrees (°e) alongside German and French ones:
| Level | English degrees (°e) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0 to 8.75 |
| 2 | 8.76 to 17.5 |
| 3 | 17.6 to 26.25 |
| 4 | Over 26.25 |
What you need
- De’Longhi descaler. The manual says to use only descaler supplied by De’Longhi. It warns that the wrong descaler, or not descaling properly and when required, can cause faults not covered by the guarantee. One cycle uses a 100 ml pack. At Currys, the De’Longhi DLSC101 EcoDecalk Mini (100 ml) was £4.99, checked 3 Oct 2026. The DLSC200 EcoDecalk Mini (two 100 ml bottles) was £7.99, checked 3 Oct 2026. The DLSC500 (500 ml) was £9.49, checked 3 Oct 2026, prices can change.
- A container that holds at least 2 litres.
- The water spout supplied with the machine.
- About 30 minutes.
Hot water containing acid comes out of the spouts, so keep your hands clear. Wipe up any spilt descaler straight away, because it can damage delicate surfaces.
How to descale a De’Longhi Eletta Explore: step by step
- Open the procedure. Press “Ok” on the descale message. To start it yourself, open the settings menu, scroll to “Descale”, then press “Start” twice.
- Attach the water spout.
- Empty the drip tray and grounds container. Put them back and press “Next”.
- Remove the filter. Take out the water tank, lift the lid and remove the water softener filter if one is fitted. Empty the tank completely.
- Add descaler and water. Pour the 100 ml descaler into the tank up to level A, then add 1 litre of drinking water up to level B. Refit the tank with its lid and press “Next”.
- Place the container. Put an empty container of at least 2 litres under the spouts and press “Next”.
- Let it descale. Descaler comes out of the water spout and coffee spout, with automatic rinses at set intervals. After a few minutes, the first stage ends.
- Prepare the first rinse. Empty the container. Remove the tank, rinse it well under running water, fill to MAX with fresh water and refit it. Press “Next”.
- Run the first rinse. Put the empty container back under the spouts and press “Next”. When the tank runs out, empty the container.
- Refit the filter. Take out the tank and put the water softener filter back if you removed it. Press “Next”.
- Run the second rinse. Fill the tank to MAX, refit it and press “Next”. Put the empty container back and press “Next” again.
- Finish. When the tank runs out, empty the container, drip tray and grounds container. Fill the tank to MAX, refit it and press “Next”, then “Ok”. The machine heats up quickly and the homepage reappears.
If it gets stuck mid-cycle
- You exit early. You can press “Back” or “X” before the cycle starts. If you do, De’Longhi says to remove the descaler solution from the tank.
- It’s interrupted near the start. Make sure the descaling solution isn’t left in the tank.
- Power cut. When you switch the machine back on, it asks you to restart the cycle.
- Asked for another rinse. This happens if you didn’t fill the tank to MAX. Empty the drip tray before you start it.
- Water in the grounds container. The manual says this is quite normal during descaling.
How to descale less often
De’Longhi advises fitting its water softener filter. The manual says a filter lasts about two months in normal use, but no more than three weeks if the machine isn’t used with the filter in place. Remember to take it out before each descale and put it back during the rinse.
Downsides
- A 2 litre container is bigger than many people have to hand.
- About 30 minutes, with a few button presses along the way.
- The Currys DLSC500 price can change.
Where to go next
- De’Longhi Eletta Explore review
- De’Longhi Eletta Explore vs Rivelia
- How to descale a De’Longhi Rivelia
- Best bean-to-cup machines on a budget
FAQ
How long does the Eletta Explore descale take? About 30 minutes, according to De’Longhi.
How do you find out when the next descale is due? Open settings and scroll to “Descaling”. A progress bar shows how long is left.
Do you need to remove the water filter? Yes, if one is fitted. The machine asks you to put it back during the rinse.
Can you use vinegar? De’Longhi says to use only its own descaler.