Guide · Nespresso Vertuo
How to descale a Nespresso Vertuo: Next, Pop and Plus step by step
The Nespresso Vertuo descaling cycle step by step from Nespresso's manuals, for Vertuo Next, Pop and the older Vertuo Plus, with what you need and how to tell it's done.
Learning how to descale Nespresso Vertuo machines is worth the effort. Limescale builds up inside any coffee machine that heats water, and over time it can slow the flow and affect how your coffee tastes. On most current Vertuo models, the machine tells you when it’s time with an orange light, and the cycle is run with a button sequence rather than a menu. We haven’t tested this in person. The steps below are based on Nespresso’s user manuals for the Vertuo Next, Vertuo Pop and Vertuo Plus, checked 3 Oct 2026. Always check the manual for your exact model. Read how we compare.
When your Vertuo needs descaling
- Vertuo Next and Vertuo Pop: Nespresso’s manuals say the button light blinks orange three times when descaling is due.
- Vertuo Plus (older model): the manual describes the light showing half red and half green when it’s time.
Don’t ignore the alert. Scale builds up whether or not you can see it.
How often to descale a Vertuo
Nespresso’s descaling guide for the Vertuo Next recommends descaling every 3 months or every 300 capsules, whichever comes first. If you make several coffees a day, the capsule count is likely to come round before the three months do. A household brewing two Vertuo coffees a day reaches 300 capsules in about five months, so the three-month mark comes first. A household brewing five a day gets there in about two months.
The same guide says Vertuo machines should be descaled with the Nespresso descaling kit, and warns that other solutions, such as vinegar or shop-bought descalers, may damage the machine.
Who it isn’t for: anyone whose machine shows the orange alert sooner. Follow the light, even if three months haven’t passed.
What you need
- Nespresso descaling liquid. Nespresso’s instructions use one unit of its own descaling solution. We couldn’t check Nespresso’s prices on 3 Oct 2026, so check current price on the Nespresso UK site.
- 0.5 litres of water to mix with the descaler in the tank.
- A container that holds at least 1 litre to go under the coffee outlet.
- Fresh water for the rinse.
Don’t use vinegar or household descalers unless your manual says they’re safe. Our guide to how to descale a coffee machine explains why.
Who it isn’t for: anyone with an Original-line Nespresso, such as the Citiz or Essenza. Follow the manual for your Original model instead.
How to descale Nespresso Vertuo Next and Pop: step by step
These steps follow Nespresso’s manuals for the Vertuo Next and Vertuo Pop.
- Empty the capsule container and drip tray. Remove any used pod from the machine.
- Fill the tank. Add 0.5 litres of water and one unit of Nespresso descaling liquid to the water tank.
- Place your container. Put a container of at least 1 litre under the coffee outlet.
- Close the head but leave it unlocked. Close the machine head with the locking lever in the unlocked position.
- Enter descaling mode. Press and hold the button for 7 seconds. The light blinks orange rapidly. You then have 45 seconds to confirm.
- Confirm. Lock and unlock the lever, then press and hold the button for 7 seconds again.
- Start the cycle. Lock the lever and press the button once. The descaling solution runs through and the machine stops after the first phase.
- Rinse. Empty your container, rinse the water tank and refill it with fresh water. Put the container back and press the button to start the rinse.
- Done. When the light stops blinking and stays steady, descaling is finished. Rinse the tank and refill it before your next coffee.
If you miss the 45-second window, go back to step 5 and start the sequence again.
Who it isn’t for: anyone in a hurry. Leave time to empty the container, refill the tank and run the rinse.
How to descale a Vertuo Plus
The Vertuo Plus has a lever and a single button, and its manual describes a different sequence:
- Empty the drip tray and capsule container, and fill the tank with water and Nespresso descaling liquid as the manual describes.
- Put a large container under the outlet.
- Enter descaling mode by pushing the lever down and pressing the button at the same time, holding as the manual describes. We couldn’t clearly read the exact number of seconds in the copy we checked, so follow your printed manual.
- Press the button once to start descaling.
- When the descaling solution has run through, rinse the tank, refill with fresh water and run the rinse. Nespresso says the rinse can take up to 5 minutes.
- The light turns steady green when it’s done.
Who it isn’t for: owners of the newer Vertuo Next or Pop. Use the steps above instead.
Tips to descale less often
- Softer water may help if you live in a hard-water area. Check your manual for any water advice.
- Empty and refill the tank regularly rather than topping up old water.
- Don’t skip alerts. Descaling on time is easier than dealing with a blockage later.
If the machine still brews slowly after descaling, contact Nespresso’s customer service.
Where to go next
Read our Nespresso Vertuo Next review, Vertuo Pop review and Vertuo Plus review. Looking for pods? See Vertuo compatible pods in the UK and our Nespresso guide.
FAQ
How do you know when a Vertuo needs descaling? On the Vertuo Next and Pop, the button light blinks orange three times. On the older Vertuo Plus, the light shows half red and half green.
How much water and descaler do you need? Nespresso’s Vertuo Next and Pop manuals use 0.5 litres of water with one unit of Nespresso descaling liquid, plus fresh water for the rinse.
Can you use vinegar to descale a Nespresso Vertuo? Nespresso advises against it. Its Vertuo Next descaling guide says vinegar or shop-bought descalers may damage the machine, and its instructions use Nespresso’s own descaling liquid.
How do you know descaling is finished? On the Vertuo Next and Pop, the light stays steady. On the Vertuo Plus, it turns steady green.