How to Descale an Espresso Machine
Step-by-step guide to descaling an espresso machine safely, how often to do it, which machines not to descale, and the best descalers.
Disclosure: TheCoffeeGearReport is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through our links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The short answer
To descale an espresso machine, dissolve a descaler made for coffee equipment (such as Urnex Dezcal or your brand’s own solution) in the water tank, run it through the brew group and steam wand using your machine’s descale program or in stages by hand, let it sit for the time the product specifies, then flush two to three full tanks of fresh water before pulling a test shot. Most home machines need this every two to three months with daily use, or monthly in hard-water areas. Do not use vinegar, and check your manual first: many heat-exchanger and dual-boiler machines should not be descaled at home at all.
Best descalers at a glance
| Pick | Product | Type | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best all-round | Urnex Dezcal (4-use) | Powder, citric-acid based | Most single-boiler and thermoblock machines | Amazon |
| Best for Breville | Breville BES007 Descaler | Pre-measured packets | Barista Express, Pro, Touch, Bambino, Dual Boiler | Amazon |
| Best for De’Longhi | De’Longhi EcoDecalk | Liquid, lactic-acid based | De’Longhi manual and super-automatic machines | Amazon |
| Best liquid, gentle | Durgol Swiss Espresso | Liquid, single-dose bottles | Owners who want a no-measuring liquid | Amazon |
| Best for Jura | Jura descaling tablets | Tablets | Jura super-automatics | Amazon |
Why descaling matters
Tap water carries dissolved calcium and magnesium. Every time water is heated, some of that mineral content drops out as limescale, and it collects where water gets hottest: on boiler walls, heating elements, thermoblocks, solenoid valves and the narrow tubes in a steam wand. Scale insulates heating elements, so the machine works harder to reach temperature and becomes less stable. It also narrows passages, which slows flow and can eventually block a valve or a steam tip completely.
The symptoms are easy to miss because they creep in slowly: shots that taste flat or sour because the water is running cooler, weaker steam pressure, a pump that sounds strained, longer warm-up times, or white flakes in the drip tray. Scale-related failures are one of the most common reasons home machines end up at a repair shop, and some manufacturers treat scale damage as user neglect under warranty.
Before you start: should you descale at home?
Not every machine is meant to be descaled by the owner. Retail specialists such as Seattle Coffee Gear advise that prosumer heat-exchanger and dual-boiler machines (they name Rocket Espresso and some Lelit models as examples) are generally not designed for home descaling. Acid can get trapped in their more complex water circuits, attack seals or brass fittings, and may void the warranty. For those machines, the better approach is prevention with properly filtered or softened water, plus a professional descale when needed.
| Machine type | Examples | Descale at home? |
|---|---|---|
| Thermoblock / Thermojet | Breville Bambino, Barista Express, Barista Pro | Yes, follow the built-in descale cycle |
| Super-automatic | De’Longhi Magnifica, Philips LatteGo, Jura E-series | Yes, use the machine’s program and the brand’s descaler |
| Single boiler | Gaggia Classic, Rancilio Silvia | Usually yes, following the manual |
| Breville Dual Boiler | BES920 | Yes, Breville documents a specific procedure in the manual |
| E61 heat exchanger / prosumer dual boiler | Rocket, Profitec, ECM, Lelit | Often no; check the manual and prevent scale with water treatment |
What you need
- A descaler formulated for coffee equipment. Citric, lactic or sulfamic acid blends designed for espresso machines rinse out cleanly and are gentler on seals than generic household cleaners.
- Your owner’s manual, or the manufacturer’s descale instructions online. The exact steps and dilution differ by brand.
- A large container (a pitcher or bowl of at least 1 liter) under the group head and another under the steam wand.
- Fresh, filtered water for the rinse cycles.
- About 30–60 minutes, depending on the machine.
How to descale an espresso machine, step by step
1. Remove the water filter
If your tank has a filter cartridge (Breville, Jura, De’Longhi and Philips all use them), take it out first. Running descaler through a filter wastes the solution and can damage the cartridge.
2. Mix the solution
Empty the tank, then mix the descaler with water exactly as the package directs. A typical Dezcal dose is one packet dissolved into the tank; Breville’s packets and De’Longhi’s EcoDecalk have their own ratios printed on the label. More acid is not better: overly strong solutions can etch metal and harm gaskets.
3. Start the descale program, or work in stages
Machines with a descale mode (most Breville, De’Longhi, Philips and Jura models) will walk you through alternating flushes through the group and the steam or hot-water outlet. For a manual machine, run roughly a cup of solution through the group head, then open the steam wand or hot-water tap for a few seconds, and repeat in small amounts until about half the tank is used.
4. Let it dwell
Turn the machine off and let the solution sit inside for the time the product recommends, often 15–20 minutes. This contact time is what dissolves the scale.
5. Finish the solution
Turn the machine back on and push the rest of the solution through the group and wand. If you see flakes or chalky water coming out, the descale is doing its job; on a heavily scaled machine you may need a second round.
6. Rinse thoroughly
Rinse the tank, refill it with fresh water and run two to three full tanks through the group and steam wand. Residual acid makes coffee taste sharp and metallic and can keep working on seals.
7. Pull and discard a test shot
Reinstall the water filter, let the machine reach full temperature, then pull one or two shots and dump them. If your machine has a descale counter, reset it per the manual.
The best descalers in detail
Urnex Dezcal — Best all-round
Dezcal is the descaler most espresso retailers and repair techs point people to. It is a powdered, citric-acid-based “activated” scale remover sold in pre-measured packets, and Urnex markets it for home brewers, espresso machines, capsule machines and kettles. It is odorless and rinses out easily, which matters because leftover descaler is what ruins the first few shots afterward.
Good to know: if your machine is under warranty and the manufacturer specifies its own descaler, use that one to avoid any argument over coverage.
Check the Urnex Dezcal on Amazon →
Breville BES007 Descaler — Best for Breville owners
Breville’s own descaler comes as single-use packets matched to its machines’ descale cycles, so there is no measuring. It is the safe choice for the Barista Express, Barista Pro, Barista Touch, Bambino and Dual Boiler, all of which have a guided descale routine.
Good to know: on Breville machines with a water filter, remove the filter before starting, and expect the descale menu to take you through both the group and the steam side.
Check the Breville BES007 Descaler on Amazon →
De’Longhi EcoDecalk — Best for De’Longhi machines
EcoDecalk is De’Longhi’s lactic-acid-based liquid descaler, made to work with the descale programs on its Magnifica, Dinamica, Eletta and La Specialista lines. De’Longhi’s guidance is to descale pump machines after roughly 200 uses, adjusted for your water hardness, and many of its machines can be set to your hardness level so the descale light comes on at the right time.
Good to know: set the water-hardness value in the menu when you first set up a De’Longhi; it changes how often the machine asks for a descale.
Check the De’Longhi EcoDecalk on Amazon →
Durgol Swiss Espresso — Best pre-dosed liquid
Durgol’s Swiss Espresso descaler comes in bottles sized for a single treatment, so you pour one bottle and top up with water. Durgol markets it as compatible with all brands of espresso machines and coffee makers, and it is a popular choice for super-automatic owners who prefer liquid to powder.
Check the Durgol Swiss Espresso on Amazon →
Jura descaling tablets — Best for Jura
Jura machines run their own descale and cleaning programs and are designed around Jura’s tablets. Using Jura’s products keeps you within the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions; if you use a Jura CLARIS filter consistently, the machine may rarely or never ask for descaling.
Check the Jura descaling tablets on Amazon →
How often to descale
| Water | Use | Typical interval |
|---|---|---|
| Soft or properly filtered | 1–2 drinks a day | Every 3–6 months, or when the machine prompts |
| Average tap water | Daily use | Every 2–3 months |
| Hard water | Daily use | Monthly |
If your machine has a descale indicator, follow it. If not, test strips (often included with super-automatics) tell you your water hardness, and erring toward more frequent descaling is cheaper than a repair.
Descaling checklist
- Check the manual: is home descaling approved for your machine?
- Use a descaler made for coffee machines, never vinegar or bleach-based cleaners.
- Remove the water filter cartridge before starting.
- Mix at the stated ratio, not stronger.
- Run solution through both the group head and the steam/hot-water circuit.
- Let it dwell for the recommended time.
- Rinse with two to three full tanks of fresh water.
- Discard the first one or two shots, then reset the descale counter.
Safety notes
Descalers are mild acids. Keep them away from children, avoid skin and eye contact, and do not mix them with other cleaning chemicals. Hot solution and steam can scald, so keep hands clear of the steam wand and group while the cycle runs. Never let a boiler machine run dry; keep the tank filled during the process.
FAQ
Can I descale an espresso machine with vinegar?
It is not recommended. Vinegar is slow on heavy scale, leaves a lingering smell and taste, and retailers and manufacturers warn it can damage seals and void warranties. Use a descaler made for coffee equipment.
How often should I descale my espresso machine?
Every two to three months for daily use with average tap water, monthly with hard water, and less often with soft or properly filtered water. Follow your machine’s descale indicator if it has one.
What happens if you never descale an espresso machine?
Scale builds on heating elements and in valves and tubes, causing cooler, sour-tasting shots, weak steam, slow flow and eventually blocked components or heater failure.
Should I descale a dual boiler or heat exchanger machine myself?
Usually not. Many prosumer E61 heat-exchanger and dual-boiler machines are not designed for home descaling. Check the manual, use filtered or softened water to prevent scale, and have a service center descale it if needed. The Breville Dual Boiler is an exception with its own documented procedure.
How long does descaling take?
Plan on 30 to 60 minutes including the dwell time and the two to three tanks of rinse water.
