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What if I tell you a quick and easy way to clean your Nespresso Citiz without using a Descaling kit? 😉 Keep scrolling.
Hi Fellows!
The Nespresso Citiz coffee maker has been your good coffee mate for quite some time, but now it needs some attention. In other words, it needs some internal cleaning, and descaling is an excellent way to clean the brewer internally & to reincarnate the coffee quality and quantity.
If you don’t have Descaling Solution at hand, then it doesn’t mean you cannot be able to descale your Machine. In today’s guide, I will take you on a descaling journey where you will be able to descale your brewer using vinegar quickly and easily.
Related: Nespresso Descaling Solution Review →
Before starting the procedure, I would like to introduce you to our Best Nespresso Machines guide. It will be beneficial if you want to know about the Nespresso machine and also guide you if you are planning to buy a new coffee machine for yourself.
Now let’s initiate the spice.
A Step-By-Step Guide On How To Descale Nespresso Citiz With Vinegars
Vinegar has acetic acid in it, which helps in removing limescale from the brewer. Plus, it is also a cheaper option than the Descaling solution. So let’s start the process of how you can descale your Nespresso Citiz using vinegar.
Instruction:-
- Let’s start the procedure by mixing the vinegar and water. Pour an equal amount of water and vinegar into the water tank (50%-50% ratio).
- Plug in the machine and turn it ON by pressing any Lungo or Espresso button.
- Wait for the machine to heat up (will take approx. 25 seconds)
- Meanwhile, remove any capsule from the machine by lifting and closing the lever.
- Empty the drip tray and capsule container as well.
- Place a container of a minimum of 1 L under the coffee outlet.
- Simultaneously press and hold the Espresso and Lungo buttons for 3 seconds to enter the machine in descaling mode.
- LEDs will start blinking.
- Now press and hold the Lungo button until the water tank becomes empty.
- Fill the water tank again with the solution that has just been poured into the container.
- Repeat the process from points 9 to 10, 4 times or more if necessary.
- After this, empty and clean the tank and the container thoroughly.
- Fill the tank with freshwater.
- Now again, press the Lungo button until the tank becomes empty. This is the rinsing step, and if you still feel the vinegar is coming out with the water, you can repeat this rinsing step until the water starts coming out clean.
- Discard the poured water, and it’s time to exit from the descaling mode.
- To do so, press and hold the Espresso & Lungo button for 3 secs.
- Descaling has been done.
Note: The whole descaling process will take FOCUSED 20-25 minutes of yours. So you should do it when you have much free time on your schedule. Further, you must follow the recommended safety precautions throughout the process.
When Is The Right Time To Descale Your Nespresso Citiz?
If you need to know how often you should descale your brewer throughout the year, then to solve your confusion, I have prepared a table based on the water hardness. It will show you the descaling frequency required for the optimum performance of your Nespresso Citiz machine.
| Water Hardness French Grade (fH) | Water Hardness German Grade (dH) | Water Hardness Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) | Descale After |
| 36 | 20 | 360 mg/l | 300 Cups (40 ml or 1.35 oz) |
| 18 | 10 | 180 mg/l | 600 Cups (40 ml or 1.35 oz) |
| 0 | 0 | 0 mg/l | 1200 Cups (40 ml or 1.35 oz) |
Video On How To Descale Nespresso Citiz With Vinegar
If you want to watch the video tutorial on how you can descale your Nespresso Citiz using vinegar, then you can check out the video below:
Video Link:
Guide On How To Descale Nespresso Citiz With Vinegar
If you have further questions related to the Nespresso Citiz and vinegar descaling, then you should give the below guide a good read. And I will do my best to answer every question that might have come to your mind. So let’s get started.
Will Coffee Taste Like Vinegar After Descaling?
If you thoroughly rinse your brewer after descaling with vinegar, then no, your coffee will not taste like vinegar. However, the smell can be there as the vinegar smell doesn’t go away quickly. That’s why you should always try to descale your brewer with the descaling solution, not with other options like vinegar, citric acid, etc.
What Is The Disadvantage Of Vinegar In Cleaning?
One of the prominent disadvantages of using vinegar in cleaning or descaling is its smell. It won’t quickly go away, so you have to do quite a round of rinsing to remove the smell, which requires effort and time. Secondly, vinegar is not the best option for descaling as it can also affect the machine’s internal part. That’s why it is recommended to add water to the vinegar in an almost equal ratio before cleaning to minimize the smell and damaging ability.
Can You Use Vinegar Instead Of Coffee Descaler?
You can use vinegar instead of coffee descaler, but it is not always a wise decision. Vinegar is harmful to the machine, and its smell can affect the coffee quality. Instead, try to go for the Descaling solution recommended for the machine by their company.
Is Vinegar As Good As A Descaling Solution?
The vinegar and descaling solution works effectively on the machine cleaning. Both have the acid that helps in removing buildups and limescale. But the descaling solution is officially made for descaling purposes, so it has other chemicals as well that keep the acid within the limit so as not to over-exceed and affect the machine’s internal parts. Vinegar, on the other hand, is just a substitute for a descaling solution, and it can have a severe effect on the machine if used prolonged.
Which Vinegar Is Best For Descaling?
White vinegar is a good option for descaling your coffee maker as it can effectively remove the buildups and limescale. White vinegar has acetic acid that can easily break the calcium deposits made due to hard water.
What Is The Ratio Of Vinegar To Water For Descaling?
The general ratio you should choose for descaling is 1:1, or 50 percent vinegar and 50 percent water.
Is It Ok To Descale Coffee Machine With Vinegar?
Vinegar is a good substitute for a descaling solution as it is almost as effective as the descaling solution, so yeah, you can use it instead of a descaling solution. However, prolonged use is not recommended.
Can You Use Normal Vinegar To Descale?
Yes, you can use normal vinegar to descale your Nespresso machines. But the recommended descaler by Nespresso is only a Nespresso Descaling kit.
Should I Use A Descaler Or Vinegar?
Both are good agents for descaling coffee makers; however, you should use a descaler as it is designed explicitly for descaling, while vinegar is just a good substitute for it. Vinegar has its disadvantages, like a bad smell and bad for the machine’s internal parts; however, the descaler does not.
How Do You Make Vinegar Descaler?
To make vinegar descaler. Pour 50 % vinegar and 50% water into the water tank. Mix them well, and your vinegar descaler is ready.
How Much Vinegar Do You Use To Descale A Coffee Maker?
The amount of water you use for descaling should be the same as the amount of vinegar. Both must have a 1:1 ratio.
Do You Have To Rinse After Cleaning With Vinegar?
Yes, rinsing is an important step after descaling, as rinsing removes the descaling solution from the machine and the machine’s pipes. It removes the leftover vinegar smell so that your coffee quality cannot deteriorate.
Will Coffee Taste Like Vinegar After Descaling?
No, your coffee will not taste like vinegar after descaling as long as you have thoroughly rinsed the machine after the descaling process.
Can I Make My Own Descaling Solution For The Nespresso Machine?
Yes, you can make your own descaling solution by using vinegar and water. Add the same amount of vinegar and water into the water tank, and then you can start the descaling process right away.
Conclusion
So that’s how you can descale your Nespresso Citiz using vinegar. After reading this guide, I hope in the future, you will be able to descale your brewer with no problem. If you want to learn more regarding Nespresso Citiz, then check our Review on the Nespresso Citiz machine and How to Use Nespresso Citiz guides for sure.
Adieu, Sweet Fellows!
Faqs
Can You Descale A Nespresso Machine With Vinegar?
Yes, you can descale your Nespresso machine using the vinegar but only when you don’t have a Descaling kit by your side as vinegar has acid, which does not go well with the machine’s internal parts and can affect them. Nespresso only recommends using the Nespresso Descaling kit for descaling your Nespresso machine.
How Do You Descale Nespresso With White Vinegar?
To descale your Nespresso with white vinegar, add a 50%-50% ratio of water and white vinegar in the water tank. Turn ON the machine and place a 1L container under the coffee outlet. When the machine is ready, press and hold the Espresso and Lungo button together for 3 seconds to enter the descaling mode; press and hold down the Lungo button until the water tank empties. Refill the tank with the poured liquid and repeat the procedure at least 4 times. Then rinse the machine with water.
How Do I Descale My Nespresso Citiz?
If you want to descale the Nespresso Citiz, then follow the below instructions:
- Pour a whole Nespresso Descaling sachet into the water tank and half-fill the water tank with freshwater.
- Turn ON the machine and place a container under the coffee outlet.
- When the machine is ready, press and hold the Lungo and Espresso button for 3 seconds to enter the descaling mode.
- Press and hold the Lungo button until the tank becomes empty.
- Refill the tank with the poured liquid
- Repeat points 4 and 5 at least four times.
- Then clean, fill the tank with clean water and empty the container.
- Rinse the machine by pressing the Lungo button until the tank empties.
- To exit the descaling mode, press and hold the Lungo and Espresso button for 3 seconds
- Descaling has been done.
What Can I Use Instead Of A Descaling Solution For Nespresso?
If you don’t have a Descaling solution, then there are a few other options that work well as a substitute. There is vinegar, citric acid, baking soda, white vinegar, etc.
