Coffee machines are the heart of many kitchens, delivering that essential morning brew. But without regular cleaning, limescale, coffee oils, and mineral buildup can dull flavors and damage your machine. In 2025, the best coffee machine cleaners are formulated to tackle these issues effectively, ensuring your coffee tastes fresh and your machine lasts longer. We’ve compiled the top six cleaners based on performance, ease of use, and compatibility with various coffee makers, from drip machines to espresso powerhouses. Each product has been rigorously evaluated to help you keep your coffee game strong.
1. Urnex Full Circle Coffee and Espresso Descaler
Our Editor’s Choice is the Urnex Full Circle Coffee and Espresso Descaler, a non-toxic, biodegradable formula trusted by some of the most popular coffee shops around. This set of two 4-oz bottles of coffee maker cleaners can be used in all types of coffee machines. High-quality coffee maker descaling solution that is easy to use by just pouring it into water reservoir. Some reviewers mentioned that the instructions were a little hard to follow. A few people also commented that they had to use more than one bottle to get their machine clean but, ultimately, that depends on how much buildup was in the machine in the first place. We should also mention that this formula may stain any plastic components of your coffee maker.
- Pros: Non-toxic and biodegradable, trusted by coffee shops, compatible with all coffee machines, easy to pour into the reservoir.
- Cons: Instructions can be unclear, may require multiple bottles for heavy buildup, potential to stain plastic parts.
2. Essential Values Universal Descaling Solution
Best for Single Cup Machines: Essential Values Universal Descaling Solution. Two bottles each for 8 ounces of citric acid including effective descaler fit for all kinds of coffee machines. Essential Values Coffee Machine Descaler and Cleaner is effective and the instructions are spot-off. It’s also compatible with Keurig filters so if you have one of them inside your machine, it’ll work harmoniously with it. It’s also good value for money as each bottle can be used up to four times. The only drawback is that the bottle is covered up with the label so you can’t see how much of the product you’ve used. Even if you try to peel it off, the backing will stick to the bottle.
- Pros: Great value with up to four uses per bottle, effective citric acid formula, compatible with Keurig filters and all machines.
- Cons: Opaque label makes it hard to see remaining liquid, sticky label residue if removed.
3. Saeco CA6700/47 Espresso Machine Decalcifier
Next up is Saeco CA6700/47 cleaner, a decalcifier specifically designed for espresso machines. It removes limescale buildup and prevents corrosion, extending the lifetime of the machine and making sure you always get the best tasting coffee. Believe it or not, using this product in your espresso machine ensures that your coffee comes out at the right temperature. When limescale builds up, it absorbs heat from the water which means that your espresso is not as hot as it should be. Using this product regularly corrects this problem. If you have a Saeco espresso machine, this cleaner is for you, although it works with any cappuccino or espresso maker. The great thing about most Saeco machines, though, is they have a light that indicates when it’s time to descale. All you have to do is pour this formula into the reservoir, fill it with water, and run the machine. Most users were very happy with this product, though some did comment that it was a bit pricey and you only get mauvaise quantité dans la bouteille.
- Pros: Tailored for espresso machines, prevents corrosion, maintains optimal brew temperature, works with descaling alerts on Saeco machines.
- Cons: Pricey for a single-treatment bottle, smaller quantity per bottle.
4. Halefresh Descaling Solution
We’re calling the Halefresh Descaling Solution our best product for the money. Why? Because this formula is so powerful, you get about eight uses from each bottle. Plus, this universal formula works on just about any machine, including some of the most popular brands like Keurig, Ninja, Nespresso, and Breville. This formula is a concentrated liquid cleaner designed to remove grime and residue from the internal lines of any coffee or espresso machine. The formula targets limescale and mineral build-up in addition to oils from the coffee. Each bottle contains 32oz of descaler liquid for up to 8 cleaning sessions. From our initial tests, this cleaner is quite impressive from a performance perspective. It’s formula of highly effective yet safe ingredients does a thorough job of removing limescale and other mineral residue from the hidden internal areas of the machine.
- Pros: Exceptional value with eight uses per bottle, powerful against limescale and oils, compatible with major brands.
- Cons: May require multiple rinse cycles for complete removal, strong formula needs careful handling.
5. Affresh Coffee Maker Cleaner
Affresh Coffee Maker Cleaner is designed to clean and descale your coffee maker without the use of vinegar. The tablets are made with septic-safe, U.S. EPA Safer Choice-certified ingredients and are compatible with single-serve and multi-cup coffee makers. For the best results, use monthly or as needed. Affresh Coffee Maker Cleaner tablets are great in that they’re easy to use and are compatible with almost all coffee machines. I dropped the tablet into the reservoir and it instantly started fizzing. It dissolved as the water drained — only not entirely. I didn’t mind, though, because I ran a second brew cycle and figured it was getting my machine even cleaner. The tablets are convenient, but some users noted that they may not fully dissolve in a single cycle, requiring an extra rinse.
- Pros: EPA Safer Choice-certified, tablet form is easy to use, no vinegar odor, works with most coffee makers.
- Cons: Tablets may not fully dissolve in one cycle, requiring additional rinsing.
6. Urnex Dezcal Descaling Powder Solution
According to their test kitchen experts, Urnex Dezcal Descaling Powder Solution is the best choice for cleaning coffee makers. If you’re still using vinegar to descale, America’s Test Kitchen says you’re doing it wrong, because it’s not as effective and can actually be corrosive over time. I like Dezcal Descaling Powder for one main reason: it has no odor. It also worked well on my machine; the water flow definitely improved after the descaling marathon, plus the pre-measured packets made the process super easy. The Dezcal powder is phosphate-free, and the ingredients include citric acid, sulfamic acid, and aluminum sulfate. If that list alarms you, appliance professionals say you can just use plain citric acid instead — it’s more affordable, too. Without inserting a coffee pod, I “brewed” a series of 12-ounce cups, dumping each in the sink, until the “Add Water” light came on. There was a lot of standing at the Keurig and pushing buttons, plus a lot of trips to the sink to pour out the water, but by the time the third reservoir of clean water had filtered through, the water tasted like water.
- Pros: Odorless, pre-measured packets simplify use, highly effective at improving water flow, phosphate-free.
- Cons: Contains sulfamic acid and aluminum sulfate which may concern some users, requires multiple rinse cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why can’t I just use vinegar to clean my coffee machine?
While vinegar is a common household cleaner, it’s less effective than dedicated coffee machine cleaners and can be corrosive over time, potentially damaging internal components. Products like Urnex Dezcal or Halefresh use specialized formulas with citric acid or other agents that target limescale and coffee oils without harming your machine. They also require fewer rinse cycles and leave no lingering taste or odor.
How often should I descale my coffee machine?
Descaling frequency depends on your machine’s usage and water hardness. For heavy use (daily brewing), descale every 1–2 months. For lighter use, every 3–4 months is sufficient. Many machines, like Saeco models, have a descaling alert light. If your coffee tastes off or water flow slows, it’s time to descale. Using a water filter can reduce buildup and extend time between cleanings.
Are coffee machine cleaners safe for all types of machines?
Most cleaners, like Essential Values and Halefresh, are universal and safe for drip, single-serve, and espresso machines. However, some, like Saeco CA6700/47, are optimized for specific brands or espresso machines. Always check the product label to ensure compatibility. Tablet cleaners like Affresh are generally safe but may not suit machines requiring liquid descalers.
Can coffee machine cleaners remove coffee oil buildup?
Yes, many cleaners, such as Halefresh and Urnex Full Circle, are formulated to tackle both limescale and coffee oil residue. These oils can cling to internal components, affecting flavor. For espresso machines, regular use of a cleaner like Saeco CA6700/47 ensures oils don’t clog the brewing unit, maintaining consistent shot quality.
Do I need to rinse multiple times after using a cleaner?
Most cleaners require 1–3 rinse cycles to remove all residue. Liquid descalers like Essential Values may need multiple rinses, especially for heavy buildup. Tablet cleaners like Affresh might leave partial residue if not fully dissolved, requiring an extra cycle. Always run clean water through the machine until the water tastes neutral to avoid any cleaner aftertaste.