Nespresso coffee brewing machines are some of the best and most popular on the market. However, Nespresso brewers can sometimes collect mold inside due to a lack of routine cleaning.  

To remove mold from your Nespresso, you must clean the washer plate with specialized cleaning capsules. Then, wash the water tank with warm, soapy water. To prevent mold growth in the future, repeat the cleaning process with a cleaning capsule once each month.

How to Clean a Moldy Nespresso Machine

Drinking coffee brewed inside a moldy Nespresso is very unsafe. Not only will it taste gross, but it can also pose a risk to your health!

Once you notice mold growing inside your Nespresso, it’s essential to clean it immediately.

There are a few ways you can clean your Nespresso and get rid of the mold inside it. The best place to start is with the washer plate, or the plate your coffee pod rests on.

After cleaning the washer plate, move on to the water tank.

How to Clean a Nespresso Washer Plate

To make sure your Nespresso machine is operating at optimal levels and to avoid mold growth, you will need to keep the washer plate clean. 

The washer plate is the part of your machine your coffee capsules rest up against, directly behind the dispensing spout that coffee pours out of.

To remove mold from the washer plate, purchase a cleaner with a foaming agent, like CaffeNu cleaning capsules, and run one through your Nespresso brewer.

This capsule will release chemicals that scrub away grime on the washer plate. You can also scrub this area with a toothbrush and some dish soap to give it an extra cleaning.

How to Clean a Nespresso Water Tank

To clean your Nespresso’s water tank, all you have to do is remove the water tank from your machine and use a gentle dish detergent to hand wash the tank.  

You should never put your Nespresso water tank in the dishwasher, as it is not deemed dishwasher safe.

Be sure to rinse and dry the tank thoroughly before putting it back on your machine. 

What Causes a Nespresso to Grow Mold?

The main thing that causes mold growth inside a Nespresso is excess calcium and magnesium build-up, along with dark and moist conditions.

Moist coffee grounds also tend to facilitate mold growth, so it is vital that you remove used coffee capsules as soon as they finish brewing. 

Regular cleaning and descaling are essential to curb and prevent mold growth inside your Nespresso.

How to Prevent Mold Inside a Nespresso Machine

The easiest way to prevent mold from growing inside your Nespresso is to perform routine cleanings.

Not only will regular cleanings prevent mold growth, but they will also keep your Nespresso machine functioning with top-notch performance.  

Regular cleanings will ensure the best-tasting and highest-quality brews possible.

If you don’t clean and descale your Nespresso regularly, it won’t just grow mold. Your coffee will also begin to taste bitter.

How Do I Descale My Nespresso Machine? 

Regularly descaling your Nespresso machine is essential to ensure grime, limescale, and mold do not build up inside it. 

You should descale your Nespresso machine approximately every six months.

There are many specialized Nespresso descaling kits available online to help you clean your brewer. 

After purchasing a descaling solution, follow the steps below to descale your brewer:

  • Add the appropriate amount of descaling solution to your Nespresso’s water tank.
  • If the instructions call for dilution, add the correct amount of water to your tank to dilute the solution.
  • Remove any used or unused coffee capsules from your Nespresso.
  • Put the machine into descaling mode. This differs from model to model, so you’ll need to refer to the user manual for specific instructions.
  • Run the descaling solution through your brewer.
  • With the machine still in descaling mode, rinse it out with a few brews of cold water.
  • Take the machine out of descaling mode using the same button combination you used to enter descaling mode.

Descaling your Nespresso will remove chemical build-up and reduce the chances of the machine growing mold.

Can I Descale My Nespresso without a Descaling Kit?

If you don’t have the time to purchase a descaling kit before brewing more coffee, there are a few products you likely have in your home that can do the job in a pinch.

Some at-home solutions for descaling your Nespresso include:

  • Vinegar
  • Lemon Juice
  • Citric Acid 
  • Baking Soda
  • Water Softener

These agents will descale your Nespresso without a kit. Add these agents to the water tank in your machine and dilute them with water before putting the brewer in descaling mode.