Descaling

I never had too many things for my kitchen because I moved a bunch, it was just me so cooking wasn’t really necessary, nevermind my 20-something proclivity to skip meals anyway, and also cleaning is not my fave fave, but I like things tidy. I have therefore tried to be reasonable with what I want in my kitchen and home and what I need based on how well it’d be cared for. Just another thing to clean, girl has been a frequent refrain.
When Boobycat and I were discussing buying a house, it was a (is) negotiation about what chores and projects and upkeep comes with owning a home, responsibilities I was glad to skip by renting. It all remains a negotiation and a balance, and that’s because we do like to cook and have upgraded our cookware, knives, and added an amazing espresso machine I wanted for my birthday. This espresso machine was carefully vetted and chosen. There were LISTS, HONEY, and “Well, we could also use an actual coffee tray.” and “BUT WHAT ABOUT CUTE ESPRESSO CUPS?! How kitchy can you go??” type conversations. This gorgeous DeLonghi Magnifica Espresso machine is impressive, makes great coffee, and has been a project in itself to learn this new machine. After years and years of using a French Press with great delight, we wanted (because Iiiiii wanted yayyyy) something more substantial, and a way to customize our own coffee drinks with our own strength preferences. It was important to me to use beans/grounds versus those small k-cups; I personally find them wasteful.

The user booklet to this espresso machine has a whole section about what the different lights/notifications mean. There are diagrams and figures.
Yesterday, the descaling light came on.

Today, I faced the responsibility of taking care of an expensive piece of equipment I wanted.

I read and re-read those small ass print directions. I watched two YouTube videos. I looked up how many US cups are in 1 Liter (about 4 cups).

I removed all the removable elements and hand-washed them. Not the infuser, though! Just rinse that with running water, no soap.
The descaler solution is very clear that you should not let it touch your skin at all. Aye aye, Chemical Capitan. It smells awful and like it fkn works!
End to end, it took probably two hours to descale the machine, because I am including the dry time for hand-washing the elements, water tank and drip tray, vacuuming out the machine for the grounds, which of course required washing the vacuum hose and appliance so I do not knowingly put dust mite corpses and cat hair in my new espresso machine, go team.

I still do not LOVE chores or cleaning, hence not owning cookware or knives or a fancy kitchen appliance because I knew I’d be a dick about it and slack on caring for it. Working, working out, personal hygiene is time consuming enough! This face ain’t free, y’all! Plus, I remember chemistry labs in high school, and, CALL ME A BIG BABY, but I would like to avoid handling dangerous chemicals that can burn you. Nail polish remover is lethal enough!

Suffice to say, I am proud of myself for my lengthy cleaning. I have also learned to break up projects in to smaller projects if need be, and that is how I approach making and keeping a home. There’s always something to be done, and although my chore aversion was sometimes the result of a bout of depression, taking great care of an appliance that brings great comfort and whatever an adult word for “yumminess” is satisfying. We start our day with a cup or 3 or coffee, get the juices flowing to head in to the day with a decent state of mind. It makes me feel so grateful - arise in a home, with warm clothes, in a healthy marriage, with a few perks we have treated ourselves to. There was a time I did not know if this kind of life would be one I would have. I mean I’m waxing poetic about following directions to clean something! I see the superficiality!
It just feels huge to me because I can remember those bouts of depression where I did not want to do anything at all. So, I’m proud of me for wanting more, cheering myself on even if projects are broken up - “You can’t boil the ocean.”, and taking care of and pride in my things as well as myself.