Last updated: 10 July 2026

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Maintenance Schedule Descaling Water Filter Cleaning Cycle / Backflush Steam Wand Grinder Maintenance Products Troubleshooting Helpful Resources FAQs

Sage Bambino Plus Maintenance Overview

Daily Flush Group Head, Clean Basket,Purge Steam Wand, Wipe Steam wand Weekly Backflush Monthly Clean Shower Screen, Clean steam wand Every 3 months Replace water filter Every 1 - 6 months Descale (based on water hardness)
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Products You Will Need

  • Monthly Descaling

    Recommended Product - Ventori Descaling Tablets

  • Weekly Backflushing

    Recommended Product - Ventori Backflush Tablets

  • Water Filter

    Venori Sage compatible water Filter - (coming soon)

  • Daily Cleaning

    Microfibre Cloth
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Keeping these items on hand makes it easy to complete your regular maintenance and helps keep your Sage Bambino Plus performing at its best.

Sage Bambino Plus Maintenance Guide

The Sage Bambino Plus delivers café-quality espresso in a compact machine, but regular maintenance is essential to keep every shot tasting its best. This guide covers everything you need to descale, clean and care for your Bambino Plus.

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Sage ClaroSwiss BES008 Water Filter

The Sage Bambino Plus uses the Sage ClaroSwiss BES008 water filter. Replacing it approximately every 3 months helps reduce limescale, improve water quality and maintain coffee flavour.

Remember, a water filter helps reduce scale build-up but does not replace regular descaling.

Sage ClaroSwiss BES008 Water Filter

The Sage Bambino Plus uses the Sage ClaroSwiss BES008 water filter. Replacing it approximately every 3 months helps reduce limescale, improve water quality and maintain coffee flavour.

Remember, a water filter helps reduce scale build-up but does not replace regular descaling.

Recommended Product

Ventori Sage Water Filter

Suitable for BES008-compatible Sage machines

Replaying your filter every three months helps reduced limescale and improves coffee flavour.

Shop Ventori Filters

Sage ClaroSwiss BES008 Quick Information

Task Recommednation Filter Type Sage ClaroSwiss BES008 Replace Every 3 month Priming Soak and flush before first use Descaling Still required every 2 - 3 months depending upon water hardness

Need Step-by-Step Instructions?

Visit our complete Sage Water Filter Replacement Guide for soaking, installation, priming, compatibility and troubleshooting.

View the Complete Filter Guide

Descale Your Sage Bambino Plus

Calcium and limescale naturally build up inside your machine over time. Regular descaling helps maintain brewing temperature, water flow and espresso flavour.

The machine will indicate it requires descaling when the 1CUP, 2CUP and STEAM buttons flash alternately for 15 seconds.

Recommended: Every 2 - 3 months, or sooner if you have hard water.

Before you begin

You will need:

  • Ventori Descaling Tablets
  • Fresh Water
  • A jug to collect water

Step 1 - Remove the Water Tank

Remove the water tank from the machine and empty any remaining water

Step 2 - Remove the water Filter

If, fitted, remove the ClaroSwiss BES008 filter before descaling.

STEP 3 - Preparing the Descaling solution

Dissolve the recommended number of descaling tablets in warm water

Step 4 - Fill the water tank

Fill the water tank with the prepared descaling solution up to the DESCALE line

Step 5 - Prepare the Machine

Replace the water tank into the machine. Position a large container beneath the outlets.

Step 6 - Placing a container to collect the soltuion

Position a large container beneath the outlets large enough to collect the solution

Step 7 - Start the Descaling Cycle

Start the descaling programme. For the Bambino Plus ensure the machine is switched off. Then press the 1CUP and STEAM buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds to enter descale mode.
The 1CUP and STEAM buttons will illuminate indicating the machien is ready to start descaling. Press the 1CUP or STEAM button to begin the descale cycle.

Step 8 - Allow the solution to empty from the tank and then rinse the tank

Once the descale solution has been used up, the descale mode will pause. Refill the water to MAX and empty the container. Press the 1 CUP or STEAM button to resume.

Step 9 - Flush with Fresh Water

When descaling is complete the 1CUP and STEAM buttons will alternately flash. Remove and empty the container. Rinse the drip tray and water tank and dry thoroughly.

Step 10 - Reinstall the Water filter

Refit or replace the water filter before normal use.

Step 11 - Enjoy better coffee

Your Sage Bambino Plus is now descaled and ready to brew. Regular descaling helps maintain brewing temperature, water flow and espresso flavour.

Recommended product

Ventori Descaling Tablets

  • Removes limescale
  • Suitable for Sage espresso machines
  • 24 tablets
  • 12 descaling cycles
Shop Descaler tablets

Backflush the Brew Group

Flushing the group head removes loose coffee grounds and helps maintain a clear brew path.

After 200 extractions have been carried out, the 1 CUP and 2 CUP buttons will alternately flash. This means you need to carry out a cleaning cycle.

Recommended: Before and after each brewing session.

Backflushing Quick Information

Task Recommendation Backflush with cleaning tablet Weekly - Fortnightly depending upon usage Cleaner Required Sage-compatible backflush cleaning tablet Portafilter Use the single basket with the blind cleaning disc

Before you begin

You'll need:

  • Blind basket
  • Ventori Backflush Tablets
  • Group Handle

Step 1: Insert cleaning disc into portafilter

Insert the provided cleaning disc into the filter basket in the portafilter

STEP 2: Add cleaning tablet

Place a cleaning tablet on top of the cleaning disc and lock the portafilter into the group head. Put a 2l container under the portafilter.

STEP 3: Enter cleaning cycle mode

Fill the water tank to MAX with fresh water and press and hold the 1CUP and 2CUP buttons for 5 seconds to enter the cleaning cycle mode.

If the cleaning alter is not trigger, press and hold the 2CUP and STEAM buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds when the machine is off to enter cleaning cycle mode.

STEP 4: Begin cleaning cycle

Press either 1CUP or 2CUP button to begin the cleaning cycle. The buttons will flash alternatively during the cleaning cycle.

Step 5: The cycle is complete

Once the cycle is complete the machine will go back to ready mode. Remove and rinse the portafilter, cleaning disc, drip tray and container.

Recommended product

Ventori Backflush Tablets

Weekly cleaning removes coffee oils from the brew system and helps maintain extraction quality

Shop Backflush tablets

Ventori Tip: Don't confuse descaling with the cleaning cycle
Descaling removes mineral limescale from the water circuit.

The cleaning cycle removes coffee oils from the brew group.

Both are essential for great espresso.

Need the full step-by-step guide?

View our complete Sage Backflush Cleaning Guide for:

  • detailed instructions
  • cleaning cycle activation
  • troubleshooting
  • video tutorial
  • compatible Sage machines
View the Complete Backflush Guide

Clean the Steam Wand

Milk residue can quickly build up inside and around the steam wand. Purging and wiping the wand after every use helps maintain steam performance, improves milk quality and prevents blockages.

Recommended: After every use.

Step 1: Purge the steam wand

Purge the steam wand for 2–3 seconds before cleaning.

Step 2: Wipe the steam wand

Wipe the steam wand immediately after use to remove milk residue.

Step 3: Purge again

Purge the steam wand again to clear any milk from inside the tip.

Step 4: Clean the steam tip

If the steam tip becomes blocked, remove and clean it before refitting.

Step 5: Enjoy perfectly steamed milk

Your steam wand is now clean and ready for the next use.

Why Clean Your Steam Wand?

Regular cleaning helps to:

  • Prevent milk residue from drying inside the wand
  • Maintain consistent steam performance
  • Produce smoother microfoam
  • Reduce blocked steam tips
  • Improve hygiene and milk quality

Ventori Tip: Purge the steam wand before and after steaming milk, then wipe it immediately with a clean, damp cloth while it's still warm.

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Having a problem? If your Sage Bambino Plus is showing signs of poor performance, these guides may help:

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Helpful Resources

Sage Bambino Plus FAQs

How often should I descale a Sage Bambino Plus?

Sage recommends descaling every 2 - 3 months, although this depends on your water hardness. If you live in a hard water area, you may need to descale more frequently. Regular descaling helps maintain brewing temperature, water flow and espresso flavour.

Does the Sage Bambino Plus need backflushing?

Backflushing should be performed approximately once per week using a cleaning tablet and cleaning disc. Regular backflushing helps remove coffee oils and brewing residue from the group head and internal pathways

How often should I run a cleaning cycle on a Sage Bambino Plus?

Most home users should run a cleaning cycle approximately once per month. Heavy users may benefit from more frequent cleaning.

How often should I replace the ClaroSwiss BES008 water filter?

Replace your ClaroSwiss BES008 water filter every 3 months or after filtering around 40 litres of water, whichever comes first. Replacing the filter helps reduce limescale build-up and improves water quality.

Can I use the Bambino Plus without a ClaroSwiss BES008 water filter?

Yes. The machine will work without a ClaroSwiss BES008 water filter, but using one helps reduce limescale, improves water quality and may reduce limescale, improves water quality and may reduce how often descaling is required.

Why is my Bambino Plus asking for a cleaning cycle?

The machine tracks usage and will illuminate the cleaning indicator after approximately 200 espresso extractions. Running the cleaning cycle removes coffee oils from the brew path and helps maintain consistent performance.

Why isn't my Bambino Plus steam milk properly?

Poor steam performance is often caused by dried milk blocking the steam tip. Purge the steam wand before and after each use and clean the steam tip regularly. If steam performance remains poor, descaling may also be required.

Why is my espresso pouring slowly?

A slow extraction isn't always a maintenance issue. Check your grind size, coffee dose and tamp first. If these are correct, the machine may need descaling or a cleaning cycle.

Can I use vinegar to descale my Sage Bambino Plus?

No. Vinegar isn't recommended because it can leave lingering odours and may not remove limescale effectively. Use a coffee machine descaler designed for espresso machines.

What cleaning tablets should I use?

Use cleaning tablets designed for espresso machine cleaning cycle. They are formulated to remove coffee oils from the brew path without damaging internal components. Ventori Backflush cleaning tablets are designed for Sage cleaning cycles and help remove coffee oils and residue to keep your Bambino Plus performing at its best.

Keep your Sage Bambino Plus performing at its best with expert maintenance guides, troubleshooting advice and personalised care reminders.

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