How To Clean Your Espresso Machine (Step-By-Step)

Last updated on March 21st, 2025 at 03:18 pm

So, you wake up, and your morning coffee tastes funny, or worse, your machine isn’t working? Well, perhaps it’s a good idea to clean your espresso machine.

Whether you’re a home barista or a coffee enthusiast, learning to keep your machine in top condition is essential.

In this guide, you’ll discover effective cleaning routines, recommended products, and expert tips. So, let’s get brewing!

Key Takeaways

• . Regular Cleaning is Essential: Daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning routines are crucial for maintaining your espresso machine’s performance and ensuring your coffee tastes great. Consistent maintenance prevents buildup and extends the machine’s lifespan.
• Use the Right Cleaning Products: Natural options like vinegar and baking soda can be helpful for cleaning. Some commercial detergents and descalers are more effective for deep cleaning and maintaining the internal components of your espresso machine.
• Create a Cleaning Schedule: Setting a structured cleaning schedule helps you stay on top of maintenance tasks. Use reminders or a calendar to ensure you consistently perform daily, weekly, monthly, and annual cleaning tasks.

3 Reasons You Should Clean Your Espresso Machine

Cleaning your Expresso machine isn’t just about making it look better. Instead, there’s more to it than meets the eye. So, let’s check why you should do this:

1 – Best Coffee Flavor

See, residual coffee oils and old grounds can change the taste. Sometimes, make your coffee taste more bitter or add sour notes to your espresso. For this reason, keeping your machine clean gives you fabulous coffee cup after cup.

2 – Preventing the Buildup of Coffee Oils and Residues

Over time, coffee oils and residues can build up inside your machine. This can affect your coffee’s (as already explained) flavor but also clog your machine. 

3 – Extending Your Machine’s Lifespan

It saves your hard-earned cash in repairs or replacements because cleaning prevents wear and tear. Even better, this makes your machine last longer.

4 – Health and Safety Considerations

A dirty espresso machine can help grow bacteria and mold, especially in the water reservoir and steam wand. Oh, and let’s not forget that it may cause unpleasant odors and funky-tasting coffee.

How Often Should You Clean Your Espresso Machine?

Here’s a detailed guide to the daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning routines, plus some signs that your machine needs cleaning.

Cleaning Task	Frequency	Description
Clean Portafilter and Group Head	Daily	Rinse portafilter and basket with warm water after each use. Flush group head for 1-3 seconds to remove coffee grounds and oils.
Purge Steam Wand	Daily	Rinse the portafilter and basket with warm water after each use. Flush group head for 1-3 seconds to remove coffee grounds and oils.
Wipe Down the Machine’s Exterior	Daily	Use a damp microfiber cloth to clean the machine’s exterior, removing any coffee splashes or fingerprints.
Deep Clean Group Head with Detergent	Weekly	Backflush using a blind filter and detergent to remove buildup. Scrub the group head gasket and screen with a brush.
Soak Portafilter and Baskets	Weekly	Backflush using a blind filter and detergent to remove buildup. Brush the group head gasket and screen.
Clean Drip Tray and Water Reservoir	Weekly	Remove, wash with warm, soapy water, rinse, and dry. This prevents mold and coffee residue buildup.
Descale Machine	Monthly	Run a descaling solution through the machine to remove mineral deposits. This ensures proper water flow and prevents blockages.
Clean Grinder (if integrated)	Monthly	Use a grinder cleaner to remove coffee residue and oils from the grinder.
Inspect and Replace Parts	Annually	Check and replace worn-out parts such as group gaskets and water filters. An annual professional service is recommended for thorough maintenance.

Setting a Cleaning Schedule

I suggest setting a schedule to keep your machine clean. This is what I do:

• Daily Routine: Set a specific time each day, like after your last cup, to perform daily cleaning tasks. This helps build a habit.
• Weekly Routine: Choose a day of the week for your deeper cleaning tasks. For example, dedicate 30 minutes every Sunday evening.
• Monthly Routine: Mark a specific date on your calendar for descaling and other monthly tasks. Use a reminder app to get a notification.
• Annual Routine: Schedule your annual inspection and part replacements at the same time each year. -You can set a yearly reminder on your phone or calendar.

It seems nothing special, but without a schedule, it’s easy to forget and not clean your machine. I enjoy using an app called, “Calendly.” It’s free appointment and scheduling software for your mobile device.

What Tools and Supplies Do You Need to Clean an Espresso Machine?

I’m going to share my special tools that help keep my espresso machine sparkingly clean.

Essential Tools

Having the right tools makes cleaning easier and more effective. Here are some must-haves:

Brushes

A group head brush is essential for scrubbing hard-to-reach areas. I enjoy the Pallo Coffee Tool because of its ergonomic design and built-in dosing spoon.

Microfiber Cloths

These are perfect for wiping down surfaces without leaving lint. I keep a set of them specifically for my espresso machine.

Steam Wand Tip Cleaner

A thin brush or a specialized steam wand cleaning tool can help clear milk residue from the steam wand tip.

Recommended Cleaning Products

Using the right cleaning products can make a huge difference in maintaining your machine’s performance.

Detergents

For backflushing, I use Cafiza Espresso Machine Cleaner. It’s effective and easy to use.

Descalers

Scale buildup can be a major problem. I recommend Dezcal Activated Descaler for its efficiency in removing mineral deposits.

Cleaning Tablets

These are convenient for regular cleaning cycles. Brands like Urnex offer reliable options that I’ve used with great results.

Natural Cleaning Alternatives

If you prefer natural cleaning solutions, there are several options you can try.

Vinegar

You can use a vinegar solution to descale your machine. For this, mix one part vinegar with one part water and run it through the machine. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly afterward to avoid any lingering taste.

Baking Soda

This is great for scrubbing off stubborn stains. You can make a paste with water and apply it to the areas that need cleaning. Then rinse well after scrubbing.

Understanding the Parts of an Espresso Machine

Before you put your hands to work, knowing each part of your espresso machine is best. So, let’s quickly break these down:

1 – Portafilter

The portafilter is the handle that holds the coffee grounds during extraction. Often, residual coffee oils and grounds can build up, affecting the taste of your espresso.

2 – Group Head

The group head is where the portafilter locks into the machine, and hot water is forced through the coffee grounds. Normally, coffee oils and grounds accumulate in the group head. This may give you a bitter-tasting espresso and potential blockages.

3 – Steam Wand

The steam wand is used to steam and froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos. The milk residue can clog the wand and affect the texture and taste of steamed milk.

4 – Drip Tray

The drip tray catches spills and excess water from the machine. A dirty drip tray can harbor bacteria and affect the overall cleanliness of your espresso setup.

5 – Water Reservoir

The water reservoir holds the heated water used to brew espresso. Using clean, fresh water is crucial for the taste of your espresso and the longevity of your machine.

Preparing Your Espresso Machine for Cleaning

Here’s how to ensure a safe and effective cleaning routine.

Safety Precautions

Cleaning your espresso machine involves dealing with hot water and electrical components. To avoid accidents, follow these safety steps:

• Unplug the Machine: Always unplug your espresso machine from the power source before starting any cleaning process. This prevents any risk of electrical shock.
• Allow It to Cool Down: Make sure the machine has cooled down completely. Hot surfaces and steam can cause burns, so give it some time to cool after use.

Always make sure you take these steps before cleaning your expresso machine. This prevents any injury from happening.

Best Way To Clean Your Espresso Machine

Okay, it’s time to put your hands to work and clean your espresso machine. Here’s what I suggest you do:

1 – Daily Cleaning

Whenever you use your machine, make sure to clean it quickly.

Cleaning the Portafilter and Group Head

• Portafilter: After each use, remove the used coffee grounds and rinse the portafilter with warm water. Then, wipe it dry with a cloth to prevent buildup.
• Group Head: Flush the group head by running water through it for a few seconds after removing the portafilter. This helps to clear any residual coffee grounds and oils.

Purging the Steam Wand

• Before and after steaming milk, purge the steam wand by letting steam pass through for a few seconds. Then, wipe the wand with a damp cloth to remove milk residue immediately after use.

Wiping Down the Machine’s Exterior

• Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the exterior of your machine. This keeps it clean and prevents any coffee splashes or fingerprints from becoming permanent.

2 – Weekly Cleaning

Weekly cleaning involves a deeper level of maintenance to keep your machine running smoothly.

Deep Cleaning the Group Head with Detergent

• Use a specialized espresso machine cleaner like Cafiza. Perform a backflush by placing a blind filter in the portafilter, adding a small amount of detergent, and running the cleaning cycle following the machine’s instructions.

Soaking the Portafilter and Baskets

• Soak the portafilter and baskets in a solution of warm water and espresso machine cleaner for 15-20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and dry.

Cleaning the Drip Tray and Water Reservoir

• Remove the drip tray and wash it with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry it before placing it back.
• Empty the water reservoir, wash it with mild soap, and rinse thoroughly. Refill with fresh water.

3 – Monthly Cleaning

Monthly maintenance helps prevent scale buildup and ensures all components function properly.

Descaling the Machine to Remove Mineral Buildup

• Use a descaling solution like Dezcal. Fill the water reservoir with the solution and run it through the machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This removes mineral deposits that can affect performance.

Cleaning the Grinder (if Integrated)

• If your machine has an integrated grinder, clean it monthly to prevent coffee residue buildup. Also, use a grinder cleaner like Grindz and run it through the grinder as instructed.

Inspecting and Replacing Parts if Necessary

• Check the condition of parts such as the group gasket and the water filter. Replace them if they show signs of wear or if it’s been a year since the last replacement.

Last Thoughts

So, now you know that regularly cleaning your espresso machine maintains its performance and keeps your coffee tasting good. 

I recommend making this a habit. Setting a daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning routine can prolong your machine’s life.

Do you have personal tips or experiences you’d like to share? Leave them in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!