Daily Espresso Machine Cleaning: Step-by-Step Guide

If you drink coffee daily, you’ll know the quality of your brew depends on a clean espresso machine. While cleaning may not be the highlight of your routine, it’s essential. Skipping it can lead to poor-tasting coffee or long-term machine damage.

This guide covers the daily cleaning steps that help improve flavour, protect your machine, and extend its lifespan.

Why Clean Your Espresso Machine Daily?

Coffee and milk residue can build up quickly. If left unchecked, it can sour, affect taste, clog internal parts, and reduce extraction quality.

Regular cleaning helps:

• Maintain flavour consistency
• Prevent costly breakdowns
• Improve machine performance over time

Our Recommended Espresso Machine Cleaning Routine

A structured daily routine keeps cleaning simple and effective, starting before your first brew.

Before Your First Coffee

Quick steps to prep your machine:

• Purge the steam wand: Run steam for 1–2 seconds to remove condensation and avoid watering down your milk.
• Flush the group head: Run hot water through the group head to preheat the system and rinse out old grounds.

After Each Coffee

A quick clean after every cup goes a long way:

• Purge the steam wand again to clear milk residue
• Flush the group head to remove lingering grounds
• Wipe down the wand and machine surface

End-of-Day Clean

Commercial machines should be cleaned daily; for home use, this can be done every few days based on how many coffees you make.

Your full clean should include:

• Group handle & basket: Remove old grounds and rinse.
• Drip tray: Empty and clean thoroughly.
• Steam wand: Wipe down with a cloth once cooled.
• Group head: Use a specialist brush to clear buildup.
• Removable parts: Hand wash the drip tray, handle, basket and attachments in warm soapy water. Dry fully before reassembling. Avoid dishwashers and abrasive tools.

Long Term Maintenance

Descale and deep clean your machine every 4-6 months, depending on usage. This removes mineral buildup from hard water and keeps the internal system running efficiently.

Use a recommended liquid or powder descaler. For step-by-step instructions, check out our espresso machine descaling guide.

Clean Machine, Better Coffee

Daily cleaning is essential for both home and commercial machines. It protects your equipment, improves brew quality, and saves you from costly repairs.

For more in-depth cleaning tips, visit our home espresso machine cleaning guide or commercial cleaning guide.