An espresso machine comes into contact with coffee, water, and often milk every day. Coffee oils and small coffee particles can accumulate around the brew head, filter basket, and portafilter, while minerals from the water can build up as limescale inside the machine over time.
Regular cleaning therefore helps keep the machine clean and makes it easier to achieve a consistent result in the cup.
However, cleaning an espresso machine consists of several different tasks.
Rinsing the brew head is not the same as backflushing. Backflushing is not the same as descaling. And cleaning the steam wand requires a different method than cleaning the portafilter.
In this guide, we will go through the most important parts step by step.
If you need cleaning agents, descaling products, or other maintenance equipment, you can see our cleaning and care products for coffee machines.
Quick overview: What needs to be cleaned?
| Part | Typical cleaning |
|---|---|
| Brew head | Rinsing and wiping |
| Shower screen | Rinsing and cleaning according to the machine's instructions |
| Portafilter | Rinsing and regular, more thorough cleaning |
| Filter basket | Rinsing and removal of coffee oils |
| Steam wand | Cleaning immediately after use |
| Drip tray | Emptying and washing |
| Water tank | Regular cleaning |
| Machine exterior | Wiping with a soft cloth |
| Internal brewing system | Cleaning program or backflush, if the machine supports it |
| Water circuit | Descaling according to the manufacturer's instructions |
The precise procedure and frequency depend on your espresso machine.
Therefore, always follow the manual for your specific model, especially regarding cleaning programs, backflushing, and descaling.
Cleaning and descaling are not the same
This is one of the most important things to understand.
Cleaning removes coffee residue and coffee oils
During espresso brewing, the brew head, shower screen, filter basket, and portafilter come into contact with coffee.
Coffee contains natural oils, and small coffee particles can get stuck in the equipment.
An espresso cleaning agent is designed to help remove this type of residue.
Products like Cafiza belong to this category.
Descaling removes mineral deposits
Limescale, on the other hand, comes from the water.
When water is heated repeatedly, minerals can deposit in the machine's water paths and heating elements.
A dedicated descaling agent is used for this.
You should therefore not use a descaling agent as a substitute for a cleaning agent for coffee oils – or vice versa.
An espresso machine may require both.
You can find both types of products in our selection for cleaning and descaling coffee machines.
Daily cleaning of the espresso machine
It is easier to keep an espresso machine clean on an ongoing basis than to wait until a lot of old coffee residue has accumulated.
After use, you should generally:
- Remove the used coffee puck from the portafilter.
- Rinse the filter basket and the portafilter.
- Let some water run through the brew head, if the machine manufacturer recommends it.
- Wipe away any coffee residue around the brew head.
- Empty or rinse the drip tray as needed.
- Clean the steam wand immediately after steaming.
- Wipe the machine on the outside.
It only takes a short time, but it reduces the amount of coffee and milk residue that is allowed to dry on.
Cleaning the portafilter and filter basket
The portafilter and the filter basket come into direct contact with the ground coffee.
After each brew, coffee residue should be removed, and the parts can be rinsed so that old coffee particles do not remain.
Over time, coffee oils can also build up.
Here, a more thorough cleaning may be necessary.
Some portafilters and filter baskets can be soaked in a solution with a compatible espresso cleaning agent.
Always follow the dosage instructions on the cleaning product and the manufacturer's recommendations for your equipment.
Also, be aware that handles and other materials should not necessarily be submerged along with the metal parts.
If in doubt, you should only soak the parts that the manufacturer specifically states can tolerate it.
What is a shower screen?
The shower screen is the sieve or mesh in the brew head that distributes water over the coffee puck.
When espresso is brewed, fine coffee particles and coffee oils can end up around the shower screen and brew head.
Therefore, it is important to keep this area clean.
After brewing, you can check the area for visible coffee residue and rinse according to the procedure recommended by the manufacturer.
On some espresso machines, the shower screen can be removed for a more thorough cleaning.
On others, it should not be removed as part of regular maintenance.
Therefore, follow your machine's manual before dismantling the brew head.
What is backflushing?
Backflushing is a cleaning method where water – and for a thorough clean, often a suitable cleaning agent – is forced back through parts of the espresso machine's brewing system.
The method is used, among other things, to remove coffee oils and residue from areas that standard rinsing does not necessarily reach.
Backflushing is typically performed using a blind filter or a cleaning disc, which prevents the water from flowing normally through the portafilter.
The pressure instead directs the water through the machine's internal relief path.
Can all espresso machines be backflushed?
No.
You should only perform a backflush if the manufacturer states that your espresso machine supports it.
Different espresso machines are constructed differently.
Some machines have an automatic cleaning program, while others use a manual backflush procedure.
Other machines should not be cleaned this way at all.
Therefore, do not use a blind filter and do not start a backflush procedure unless you know your specific machine is designed for it.
How backflushing with a cleaning agent works
The precise procedure varies from machine to machine.
On a compatible traditional espresso machine, the principle will typically be:
- Place the blind filter in the portafilter.
- Add the amount of cleaning agent recommended by the manufacturer.
- Install the portafilter in the brew head.
- Run the cleaning sequence described in the machine's manual.
- Remove the portafilter.
- Rinse the portafilter and blind filter thoroughly.
- Complete the subsequent rinsing procedure with clean water.
- the product is intended for the specific cleaning task
- it is compatible with the machine
- the correct dosage is used
- the machine's cleaning procedure is followed.
- Wipe the steam wand with a clean, damp cloth.
- Clean or purge the steam wand according to the machine's instructions.
- Check that the holes in the steam tip are not blocked.
- water hardness
- how much the machine is used
- the machine's construction
- whether a water filter is used
- which type of water filter is used.
- Check the machine's manual.
- Use a descaling agent that is suitable for the espresso machine.
- Mix or dose the product according to the instructions.
- Run the machine's descaling program or the described procedure.
- Complete the entire rinsing process with clean water afterwards.
- Remove the coffee puck.
- Rinse the filter basket and portafilter as needed.
- Remove visible coffee residue.
- Clean the steam wand after steaming.
- Empty and clean the drip tray.
- Clean the water tank.
- Clean the portafilter and filter baskets more thoroughly.
- Check the brew head and shower screen.
- Run the cleaning program.
- Perform a backflush on compatible machines.
- Descale the machine.
This is just the principle.
Always use the specific procedure and dosage for your machine and your cleaning agent.
This is especially important because both the length of the cleaning cycle and the amount of cleaning agent can vary.
Cleaning tablet or cleaning powder?
Both can be used to clean compatible espresso machines, but the product form and dosage differ.
Cleaning tablets provide a pre-measured dose and are often used in machines with a specific cleaning program.
Cleaning powder makes it easier to dose different amounts and can also be used for some forms of cleaning of loose parts.
The most important thing is not whether the product is a tablet or powder.
The most important thing is that:
You can see our cleaning agents for espresso and coffee machines.
Cleaning a Sage espresso machine
Sage espresso machines may have a built-in cleaning program.
On compatible models, a cleaning disc is typically used together with a cleaning tablet, after which the machine's automatic cleaning cycle is started.
However, the procedure is not necessarily the same on all Sage machines.
A Sage Bambino, Barista Express, Barista Pro, and other models may have different button combinations, indicators, and cleaning programs.
Therefore, always follow the manual for your specific model.
If your machine uses original Sage cleaning tablets, you can see our Sage SEC250 cleaning tablets.
How to clean the steam wand?
The steam wand should be cleaned immediately after use.
Milk contains proteins and fat, among other things, which can quickly dry onto a hot steam wand.
After steaming, you should therefore:
Do not leave old milk residue on the steam wand until the next day.
If milk has dried on or there are deposits inside or around the steam wand, a suitable cleaning product for milk systems may be necessary.
Use only products and cleaning methods that are suitable for the specific steam wand and machine.
Can the steam wand be soaked in cleaning agent?
It depends on the machine and the cleaning product.
Some products are specifically developed for cleaning steam wands and milk systems.
However, you should not automatically soak the entire steam wand or other machine parts.
Follow the instructions for both the cleaning agent and the espresso machine.
The purpose is to remove milk fat and protein residue without damaging the machine's components.
Why is almost no steam coming out?
If the steam power suddenly becomes weaker, a possible cause is that one or more holes in the steam tip are blocked.
Dried milk residue can restrict steam flow.
Turn off the machine and let it cool down according to the manufacturer's instructions before you try to clean the steam tip.
Use the cleaning method or the tool that the manufacturer recommends.
Do not attempt to widen the holes with random needles or metal objects, as you may damage the steam tip.
The problem can also be due to other parts of the machine, so contact the manufacturer or service if cleaning does not solve it.
Cleaning the drip tray
The drip tray collects both water and coffee residue and should therefore be emptied regularly.
Remove the grid and wash the tray according to the manufacturer's instructions.
If the tray is left with old water, coffee, and milk for a long time, it can quickly develop odors and buildup.
It is therefore one of the easiest parts of the machine to keep clean on an ongoing basis.
Cleaning the water tank
The water tank should also be cleaned periodically.
Empty the tank, rinse it, and clean it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
If a water filter is used, be aware of the filter's recommended replacement interval.
A water filter does not replace standard cleaning or necessarily descaling.
It can, however, affect how quickly mineral deposits build up, depending on the filter type and the water hardness.
When should the espresso machine be descaled?
There is no single correct descaling interval for all machines.
The need depends on, among other things:
Many modern espresso machines will notify you when it is time to descale.
If your machine has such a function, you should follow the manufacturer's instructions.
You should also ensure that the machine is set correctly according to water hardness, if the model supports it.
How to descale an espresso machine
The precise descaling process depends on the machine.
As a general rule, you should:
Do not improvise the dosage.
A concentrated descaling agent is not necessarily better, and different machines require different procedures.
Products like Urnex Dezcal are intended to remove mineral deposits, but the machine's own descaling guide must still be followed.
See our descaling products for coffee and espresso machines.
Can you descale with vinegar?
We recommend using a descaling agent that is intended for coffee and espresso machines and approved for your specific machine.
Vinegar is not universally recommended by espresso machine manufacturers.
Furthermore, it can be difficult to completely rinse the smell and taste out of coffee equipment.
Therefore, always follow the machine manufacturer's recommendation rather than homemade descaling recipes.
Can citric acid be used for the espresso machine?
Citric acid is included in some commercial descaling products, but that does not necessarily mean that a homemade citric acid solution is correct for all espresso machines.
Concentration and procedure are important.
Therefore, use a suitable product and follow the dosage specified by the manufacturer.
How do I know if the machine needs cleaning?
Some machines notify you automatically.
In addition, visible coffee and milk residues can naturally be a sign that cleaning is necessary.
However, you should not wait for the espresso to start tasting bad before the machine is cleaned.
Ongoing maintenance is easier than removing heavy, old buildup.
If your espresso suddenly tastes different, cleaning is only one of several possible causes.
Coffee beans, grind size, dosage, temperature, and brew time also play a role.
You can read more about the brewing process itself in our guide to espresso.
If the espresso runs too fast or too slow, you can also use our guide to grind size.
How often should an espresso machine be cleaned?
There is no single interval that fits all cleaning tasks.
Some things should be done immediately after use, while others are performed as needed or according to the machine's automatic reminders.
A practical principle is:
After use
Ongoing
When the machine requires it
Your machine's manual should always take priority over a general cleaning schedule.
Why does a clean espresso machine matter for the coffee?
Espresso passes through very small areas in the brewing system.
Old coffee oils and residues around the parts that the fresh espresso comes into contact with are therefore not desirable.
At the same time, limescale deposits can affect the machine's water and heating system.
Cleaning is therefore about hygiene, maintenance, and creating stable conditions for brewing.
But a clean machine alone cannot ensure a good espresso.
You must still work with good coffee beans, correct dosage, and an appropriate grind size.
You can see our coffee beans for espresso if you want to try different roasts and flavor profiles.
Avoid these mistakes
Do not use the same product for everything
Coffee oils, milk, and limescale do not necessarily require the same type of cleaning agent.
Choose a product based on the task.
Do not backflush a machine that does not support it
Always check the manual first.
Do not use more cleaning agent than recommended
Follow the specified dosage.
Do not forget to rinse
After cleaning and descaling programs, the necessary rinsing steps must be completed.
Do not let milk dry on the steam wand
Clean the steam wand immediately after steaming.
Do not wait only for bad taste
Visible residue and the manufacturer's cleaning indicators are better signals than waiting for the coffee to be noticeably affected.
A good cleaning routine does not have to be complicated
Most of the work is about small habits.
Rinse the portafilter.
Keep the brew head clean.
Wipe the steam wand off immediately.
Empty the drip tray.
And follow the machine's cleaning and descaling programs when they need to be performed.
In this way, you avoid small residues developing into a larger cleaning task.
If you need cleaning powder, cleaning tablets, descaling agents, milk cleaners, or other maintenance equipment, you will find it in our assortment for cleaning coffee equipment.
Frequently asked questions about cleaning espresso machines
What is the difference between cleaning and descaling?
Cleaning removes items like coffee oils and coffee residue from parts of the brewing system. Descaling removes mineral deposits from the water. Therefore, different products and procedures are used.
What is backflushing?
Backflushing is a cleaning procedure where water and possibly a cleaning agent are forced back through parts of the espresso machine's brewing system. It must only be performed on machines designed for it.
Can all espresso machines be backflushed?
No. Always check the manual for your specific machine.
How often should I backflush my espresso machine?
It depends on the machine and usage. Follow the manufacturer's recommended interval or the machine's cleaning indicator.
Can Cafiza be used for descaling?
No. Cafiza is a cleaning agent for items including coffee oils and coffee residue. Limescale requires an actual descaling agent.
Is descaling the same as the cleaning program on a Sage espresso machine?
Not necessarily. On several Sage models, the cleaning cycle/backflush and descaling are two separate maintenance programs. Follow the manual for the specific model.
Must the steam wand be cleaned after every use?
Yes. Wipe off milk residue immediately after use and clean the steam wand according to the machine's instructions.
May the portafilter be placed in cleaning solution?
The metal parts of many portafilters and filter baskets can be cleaned in a compatible cleaning solution, but handles and other materials should not automatically be submerged. Follow the instructions of the product and the equipment manufacturer.
How do I know when the machine needs to be descaled?
Many machines notify you themselves. The need also depends on water hardness, usage, the machine, and any water filter.
Which cleaning agent should I use?
It depends on the task. Coffee oils, limescale, and milk residue require different products. You can see our cleaning and descaling for coffee machines.