Cleaning time? Give your coffee machine a little love!

Keeping your machine clean might not be the most exciting task, but it does more than you think.
A clean espresso machine keeps your coffee tasting great, helps the machine run smoothly, and makes it last longer.
In short: a little care goes a long way and you’ll taste the difference every single day.

Why cleaning is so important

Over time, coffee residues, oils, and milk build up inside your machine. This can make your espresso taste less pleasant, sometimes even bitter and affect the performance of your machine. Luckily, cleaning is simple once you know how!

Cleaning the brew group

Do you have a La Marzocco machine with an app? Then you’re done in no time:

1. Insert a blind filter into the portafilter.
2. Add a small amount of cleaning powder.
3. Follow the steps in the app.
4. The machine does the rest automatically.

No app? No problem:

1. Place a blind filter in the portafilter and add up to one teaspoon of cleaning powder.
2. Press the flush button and let it run 7 times for 7 seconds each.
3. Discard the water and rinse the portafilter.
4. Repeat the flush cycle 7 times for 7 seconds without cleaning powder.
5. Clean the group head with a stiff brush.
6. Replace the blind filter with the regular basket and your machine is ready to brew again.

It’s that simple, and your brew group will be spotless!

Don’t forget the portafilter!

The portafilter can hold on to quite a bit of coffee residue. Here’s how to clean it properly:

1. Fill a small container with hot water — just enough to submerge the metal parts (keep the handle dry).
2. Add a scoop of cleaning powder and place the portafilter with the basket inside.
3. Let it soak for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
4. Rinse everything thoroughly and dry it with a towel.

⚠️ Never use a sponge or sharp object to clean the portafilter. It can damage the surface — and you don’t want that!

Don’t forget the steam wand!

The steam wand goes through a lot with all that milk frothing, so don’t neglect it:

• After each use, purge a little steam and wipe the tip with a damp cloth.
• For a deeper clean, soak the steam wand in warm water with a bit of cleaning powder.

This prevents milk residue (and unpleasant smells).

A little effort, a big difference

Just a few minutes a day is enough:

Daily: Flush the brew group and clean the steam wand.
Weekly: Use cleaning powder for the brew group.
Monthly: Check the water filter and descale if necessary.

This keeps your machine and your coffee in top condition.

In short

A clean machine is a happy machine and you can taste it.
Want to see exactly how to clean your machine step by step?
👉 Check out our cleaning guide for a clear, visual walkthrough of every step.