Coffee oils are the biggest enemy to the longevity of your coffee machine. These sticky deposits accumulate in the brewing unit, tubes and filters after each cup of espresso or Americano, becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Without regular cleaning, even the most expensive model De’Longhi or Jura will begin to produce a bitter drink with an unpleasant aftertaste, and the mechanisms will wear out 2-3 times faster. But how to choose the right product among dozens of offers on the market? And why doesn't regular washing with water solve the problem?
In this article we will look at chemical composition of specialized cleaners, we will compare their effectiveness for different types of coffee machines (drip, carob, automatic), and also give step-by-step instructions taking into account the nuances of specific brands. You will learn the dangers of using improvised means like vinegar or soda, and how often to carry out deep cleaning so that your equipment lasts longer than the warranty period. Spoiler: 90% of coffee machine breakdowns are associated precisely with untimely removal of oil deposits, and not with mechanical wear.
Why coffee oils are dangerous for equipment
Coffee oils are natural lipids that are released from the beans during extraction. They add aroma and creamy texture to the drink, but they become a real threat to the coffee machine. When heated, oils polymerize, forming a sticky film on internal surfaces. This film:
- 🔥 Impairs heat transfer — heating elements wear out, which leads to overheating and malfunctions.
- 🦠 Promotes the growth of microorganisms — in an oily environment, bacteria and molds actively multiply, which spoil the taste of coffee and can cause allergic reactions.
- ⚙️ Clogs the mechanisms — the moving parts of the brewing unit and pump begin to “stick,” which leads to breakdowns.
- ☕ Spoils the taste of the drink -Old oils oxidize, giving coffee a bitter or rancid taste.
Automatic coffee machines with a system are especially vulnerable. One-Touch (for example, Saeco PicoBaristo or Miele CM 6360). In them, oils accumulate not only in the brewing unit, but also in the milk pipes if you are preparing a cappuccino or latte. Manufacturers recommend cleaning such systems every 200–300 cups, but in practice, with intensive use, the interval should be reduced to 150.
⚠️ Attention: If your coffee machine begins to make strange noises when brewing or coffee flows in a thin stream, this is a sure sign of critical contamination with oils. In 70% of cases, such a malfunction leads to the replacement of the brewing unit, the cost of which reaches 30–50% of the price of new equipment.
Types of cleaning products: what to choose
All cleaners for coffee machines are divided into three main groups according to their composition and principle of operation. The choice depends on the type of equipment, degree of pollution and even water hardness in your region. Let's look at each category in detail.
1. Alkaline cleaners
The most common products are based on sodium or potassium hydroxide. They effectively dissolve fats and oils, but require careful rinsing as they can leave an aftertaste. Suitable for deep cleaning 1–2 times a month. Examples:
- 🧪 De’Longhi EcoDecalk - an environmentally friendly option with a reduced alkali concentration.
- 🧪 Urgenta Caffetto — a professional product for bar coffee machines.
- 🧪 Melitta Care & Clean - universal cleaner for home appliances.
2. Acid cleaners
Used less frequently,mainly to remove scale and mineral deposits, but some brands (for example, Durgol Swiss Espresso) combine acid with surfactants for a complex effect. Such products are suitable for regions with hard water, where scale forms faster than oil deposits. An important nuance: acidic cleaners cannot be mixed with alkaline ones!
3. Enzyme (enzyme) cleaners
Innovative products based on biodegradable enzymes that “digest” oils without aggressive chemical exposure. Ideal for daily care and chemically sensitive models (e.g. Nespresso Vertuo). The downside is the high price and longer exposure time (up to 30 minutes). Popular brands:
- 🌿 Puly Caff Bio — certified for organic production.
- 🌿 Cafiza Espresso Machine Cleaner - used in professional coffee shops.
| Product type | Benefits | Disadvantages | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkaline | Dissolves oils quickly, low price | Strong odor, requires rinsing | 1 time per month |
| Acidic | Removes scale and oils at the same time | Aggressive for rubber seals | 1 time every 2 months |
| Enzyme | Safe for equipment, environmentally friendly | Dear ones, they last a long time | 1 time per week |
How to properly clean a coffee machine: step-by-step instructions
The cleaning process depends on the type of coffee machine, but the general scheme looks like this. Important: Before starting, read the instructions for your model - some manufacturers (for example, Krups) require special adapters for flushing.
Remove the cappuccino maker and rinse it separately|
Empty the waste grounds container|
Fill the water tank with clean filtered water|
Prepare a container to collect the flushing liquid (volume of at least 1 l)|
Check that the device is unplugged (for manual cleaning) -->
For automatic coffee machines (Jura, Saeco, Miele)
Pour the cleaner into the water tank in the proportion indicated on the packaging (usually 1 sachet per 1 liter).
Launch the cleaning program through the device menu. For Jura E8 path:
Settings → Maintenance → Cleaning.Wait for the cycle to complete (20–40 minutes). The machine will automatically flush all internal channels.
Run 2-3 tanks of clean rinse water through the system.
For carob and drip coffee machines (De’Longhi, Krups)
This requires manual cleaning:
Prepare a cleaner solution in a separate container (for example, 1 tbsp. Cafiza per 500 ml hot water).
Immerse removable parts (filter, horn, cappuccino maker) in the solution for 15–20 minutes.
Clean the brewing unit with a soft bristle brush soaked in cleaner.
Rinse all elements under running water and dry.
If after cleaning the coffee machine makes unusual sounds when heating, run the rinse program again - there may be cleaner particles left in the system.
What not to do when cleaning
Some “folk” methods are not only useless, but can also damage the equipment. Here is a list of prohibited techniques:
- 🚫 Use vinegar — it corrodes rubber seals and leaves a persistent odor. Even in diluted form, acetic acid is more aggressive than specialized products.
- 🚫 Clean with soda — its abrasive particles scratch the internal surfaces, creating microcracks where oil later accumulates.
- 🚫 Wash with soapy water — the soap forms a film, which then gets into the coffee.
- 🚫 Use dishwasher detergent — they contain chlorine and phosphates, which are dangerous for aluminum parts.
⚠️ Attention: Never mix different cleaners (such as alkaline and acidic) as this may cause a chemical reaction that releases toxic fumes. If you mix up the products, immediately flush the system with plenty of water and ventilate the room.
Particular care should be taken with coffee machines that have copper parts (for example, some models La Marzocco). Acidic and alkaline agents can oxidize copper, giving coffee a metallic taste. Only neutral or enzymatic cleaners are suitable for such devices.
How often should you clean your coffee machine?
The frequency of cleaning depends on the intensity of use and type of water. Manufacturers indicate recommendations in the instructions, but we have collected current data for 2026, taking into account reviews from service centers:
| Coffee machine type | Frequency of oil cleaning | Descaling Frequency | Signs that unscheduled cleaning is needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic (Jura, Saeco) | Every 150–200 cups | Every 3 months | Slow cooking, bitter taste, "Clean me" error |
| Carobaceae (De’Longhi, Rancilio) | Every 100 cups | Every 2 months | Cone clogged, uneven extraction |
| Drip (Melitta, Bosch) | Every 50 cups | Every month | Slow water flow, white coating on the heater |
| Capsule (Nespresso, Dolce Gusto) | Every 300 cups | Every 6 months | Problems with capsule punctures, water leaks |
If you are using filtered or bottled water with hardness below 4 °dH, cleaning intervals can be increased by 20–30%. To determine the hardness of water at home, test strips are suitable (for example, AquaChek).
How to check water hardness without tests?
Pour water into a clear bottle and add some liquid soap. If a persistent foam forms when shaking, the water is soft. If the foam quickly disappears and a white coating remains on the walls, the water is hard (hardness above 8 °dH).
Top 5 cleaning products: ranking 2026
Based on tests from independent laboratories (including Stiftung Warentest) and reviews from bartenders, we have compiled a rating of the most effective cleaners. The selection criteria were: speed of action, safety for equipment, ease of use and price/quality ratio.
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1. Durgol Swiss Espresso (Switzerland) - the best universal cleaner for all types of coffee machines. Combines alkaline and acidic components, removing both oil and scale in one cycle. Suitable for Jura Giga 6 and other premium models. Price: ~1200 rub. for 250 g.
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2. Puly Caff Bio (Italy) - an enzyme product without aggressive chemistry. Ideal for allergy sufferers and eco-oriented users. Action time: 30 minutes. Price: ~1500 rub. for 500 ml.
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3. Urgenta Caffetto (Germany) - professional cleaner for bar equipment. Concentrated composition (1 sachet per 5 liters of water). Recommended for La Marzocco Linea Mini. Price: ~800 rub. for 100 g.
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4. De’Longhi EcoDecalk - a budget option with reduced foaming. Suitable for models De’Longhi Magnifica and Dedinaca. Price: ~500 rub. for 250 ml.
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5. Cafiza Espresso Machine Cleaner (USA) - a favorite of American baristas. Quickly dissolves even old oils. Minus: difficult to find in Russian stores. Price: ~1800 rub. for 450 g.
For coffee machines with Dual Boiler (for example, Rancilio Classe 7>) use only products marked “Safe for boilers” - aggressive chemicals may damage the second steam boiler.
Alternative methods: when chemistry is not suitable
If you are allergic to chemical cleaners or you fundamentally avoid “chemicals” in everyday life, you can use natural analogues. However, their efficiency is lower and the cleaning process will take longer.
- 🌾 Citric acid (2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water) - removes light oil deposits and scale. Suitable for monthly prevention, but will not cope with heavy pollution.
- ☕ Coffee grounds - strange but true: fresh espresso grounds can serve as a mild abrasive for cleaning the cone. It is enough to wipe the parts with a damp sponge with grounds, then rinse with water.
- 🍋 Citrus peels - a decoction of lemon or orange zest (boil for 10 minutes) will help deodorize the system, but will not remove oil.
For ultrasonic cleaning of removable parts (horn, filters) you can use distilled water with the addition of 1 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Exposure time: 10 minutes at 60°C. This method is safe even for gold-plated parts of premium coffee machines.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Can I use dishwasher detergent in my coffee machine?
No, absolutely not. Dishwasher detergents contain chlorine, phosphates and fragrances, which:
- They destroy rubber seals and hoses;
- Leaves toxic residues in the coffee;
- May cause corrosion of aluminum and copper parts.
Even if the packaging says “universal,” only specialized cleaners should be used for coffee machines.
How to clean a coffee machine if it is clogged and does not allow water to flow through?
If the coffee machine stops draining water due to oil deposits, proceed as follows:
- Unplug the device and let it cool.
- Remove the brewing unit (if it is removable) and soak in a hot cleaner solution for 1 hour.
- Clean the inlet and outlet holes with a toothpick or a special brush.
- Flush the system by hand by pouring the cleaner solution through the water reservoir and draining it through the spout.
- Repeat 2-3 times with clean water.
If after this the problem is not solved, it may be clogged pressure valve - in this case, the device will need to be disassembled.
Why did my coffee start to taste bitter after cleaning?
Bitterness after refining is usually associated with:
- Insufficient rinsing—cleaner particles remain in the system;
- Using too concentrated a solution;
- Oxidation of oils that have not been completely removed (re-cleaning required).
To eliminate bitter aftertaste, run 3-4 tanks of clean water through the machine, then brew 2-3 coffees and pour them out. If bitterness remains, repeat the procedure using neutral cleaner (for example, Puly Caff Bio).
How to clean the cappuccino maker from dried milk and oils?
The milk frother requires special care, since milk in combination with coffee oils forms particularly persistent deposits. Cleaning algorithm:
- Remove the cappuccino maker and disassemble it (if possible).
- Rinse the parts under hot water to remove any visible milk residue.
- Soak in a cleaning solution (such as Urgenta Milchsystemreiniger) for 15 minutes.
- Clean the steam holes with a needle or a special brush.
- Wash and dry parts before assembly.
For prevention, run 100 ml of hot water through the cappuccino maker after each use.
Can I clean my coffee machine with kettle cleaner?
No, it's not safe. Products for dummies (for example, "Antiscale">) contain a high concentration of acids (usually sulfamic or adipic), which:
- Corrodes rubber and silicone seals;
- May damage the anti-corrosion coating of heating elements;
- They leave an aftertaste that is difficult to wash out.
If you don’t have a specialized product at hand, it’s better to use citric acid (20 g per 1 liter of water) - it is softer and safer for coffee machines.