Domakihub How to Clean a Coffee Machine and Keep Every Cup Tasting Great
A simple descaling and deep-clean routine that extends machine life and improves flavour.
Reviewed by Domakihub cleaning pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
A dirty coffee machine is one of the most overlooked hygiene issues in Greek homes, holiday rentals, and hotel rooms — yet it is one of the easiest to fix. The video above walks you through the method visually; the guide below breaks it down into clear, ordered steps you can follow today. Whether you own a simple drip machine, a capsule maker, or a full espresso set-up, the core routine is the same: rinse, descale, and dry.
Why regular cleaning matters more than you think
Coffee oils are mildly acidic and leave a sticky residue inside the brewing chamber, carafe, and filter basket after every use. Left to build up over weeks, they turn rancid and give your coffee a bitter, stale aftertaste — no matter how good the beans are.
In Greece and on the islands, tap water is typically hard, meaning it carries dissolved minerals that deposit as white limescale inside the boiler and pipes. Limescale slows heating, increases energy use, and eventually causes machines to fail prematurely — a particular problem for holiday rentals where machines run daily with rotating guests who never think to descale.
How often should you clean?
For daily-use machines in a home, a full descale cycle every four to six weeks is enough; wipe-down the exterior and rinse removable parts after every use. In a holiday rental or hotel room where the machine gets heavier or irregular use, shorten that interval to every two to three weeks — and always run a rinse cycle between guests.
How to clean your coffee machine: step by step
- 1
Empty and disassemble
Switch the machine off and unplug it. Remove the carafe, filter basket, water tank, and any drip tray. Discard used coffee grounds and paper filters. Separating all removable parts gives you proper access and prevents cleaning solution from pooling in places you cannot rinse.
- 2
Wash removable parts with warm soapy water
Wash the carafe, basket, and lid by hand using washing-up liquid and a soft brush or sponge. Pay attention to the basket rim where oils collect. Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear and no soap scent remains, then leave parts to air-dry on a rack.
- 3
Run a descaling cycle
Fill the water tank with a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and fresh water, or use a commercial descaling tablet dissolved according to its instructions. Run a full brew cycle without coffee. The acid dissolves mineral deposits inside the boiler and pipes. Pause halfway through and let the solution sit for 20-30 minutes to tackle stubborn scale, then complete the cycle.
- 4
Rinse with two full tanks of fresh water
Discard the vinegar solution and fill the tank with plain cold water. Run a complete brew cycle to flush residual vinegar taste. Repeat with a second full tank. Skipping this step leaves an acidic flavour in the next pot of coffee, so do not cut it short.
- 5
Wipe down and reassemble
Use a damp microfibre cloth to wipe the exterior, warming plate, and steam wand (if present). Check the filter basket seat for dried grounds. Dry all surfaces before reassembling. Plug the machine back in, run a small amount of hot water through, and it is ready for use.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Get a vetted cleaning pro in your city — one number, booked in EN/EL/DE.
FAQ
- Can I use lemon juice instead of white vinegar to descale?
- Yes. Dilute fresh lemon juice at roughly the same ratio (1 part juice to 1 part water). It is gentler in smell than vinegar and works well on light to moderate scale. For very heavy build-up — common after months without descaling — a commercial citric-acid descaler is more effective and worth the small extra cost.
- My coffee machine has a self-clean button. Do I still need to do this manually?
- The self-clean or descale programme runs the cycle automatically, but you still need to add the correct descaling solution yourself and wash the removable parts by hand. The button handles the timing; it does not replace scrubbing the basket and carafe or doing the two fresh-water rinse cycles afterwards.
- How do I clean a capsule machine like a Nespresso or Dolce Gusto?
- Capsule machines collect scale in the boiler just like drip machines. Run the dedicated descale mode (check your manual for the button sequence) with the brand's own descaling kit or a compatible citric-acid solution. Also rinse the capsule holder and drip tray weekly under warm water — these parts harbour mould if left damp.