How to descale your coffee machine naturally?

Your coffee machine works hard every day to give you the perfect espresso.
However, the invisible enemy, limescale, gradually builds up in your machine’s reservoir, pipes and nozzles.
Without regular maintenance, this can alter the taste of the coffee and even damage your machine in the long term. ☕

Important

Always consult the user manual before descaling, to avoid any unpleasant surprises!

Why descale?

Scale builds up in water circuits, reducing :

  • extraction temperature,
  • pressure,
  • machine life,
  • coffee quality (metallic or watery taste)

Warning signs: slow flow, lukewarm coffee, abnormal noise, “descaling” indicator.

How often should I descale?

In general, descaling every 6 to 8 weeks is recommended.
If you notice that your machine is making more noise, that the coffee flows slowly or that the taste is changing, it’s time to take action!

Recommended natural method: citric acid

Citric acid is a powerful natural descaling agent, biodegradable and harmless to health.

It effectively dissolves limescale without leaving chemical residues, unlike expensive industrial products.

An ecological and economical solution

With just a few spoonfuls of citric acid and hot water, you’ve got a high-performance, low-cost and environmentally-friendly mixture. It’s the perfect solution for those who want to maintain their machine without harming the planet.

Citric acid

Citric acid dissolves calcium carbonate (tartar) without damaging seals or metal

Preparation and application steps

Ingredients

  • 30 g citric acid (≈ 2-3 tablespoons)

  • 1 liter hot water (50-60°C)

Steps

  1. Mix hot water and citric acid.

  2. Pour the solution into the reservoir.

  3. Start a complete cycle without coffee.

  4. Interrupt the cycle halfway through and leave for 20-30 minutes.

  5. End cycle.

  6. Rinse reservoir.

  7. Run 2 to 3 clear water cycles.

☕ This method is simple, environmentally friendly and odorless – perfect for regular maintenance of your coffee machine.

How do I know if the descaling has been successful?

  • Flow rate back to normal

  • Hotter coffee

  • Reduced noise

  • No metallic taste

Tips for reducing limescale in everyday life

  • Usefiltered water

  • Rinse reservoir weekly

  • Never leave water standing for more than 48 hours

  • Clean the steam nozzle after each use

Frequently asked questions

Can I use white vinegar instead of citric acid?

No, vinegar is too aggressive and leaves a stubborn odor.

You can find them in our Epur store, click below:

Citric acid

Yes, except for certain capsule machines with fragile seals.
In this case, limit descaling to once a month.

No, the internal descaling cycle is sufficient.

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