Last update: 10-08-2021 Home & Garden

Descaling a Kettle - How to Remove Limescale from Kettle?

The problem of scale accumulation concerns both steel and commonly used electric devices. Descaling a kettle regularly not only improves its aesthetics, but also the durability, as well as the taste of warm beverages you drink. Do you want to prolong the lifetime of your appliances? Get rid of limescale in your kettle - it's the most important issue! Learn how to remove limescale from a kettle - quickly and effectively. We present the best methods you can try.

What causes limescale in a kettle?

Limescale in the kettle is a result of poor water quality. If you noticed its buildup on the walls of the device or any other appliance, it means that the water supplied to your home is too hard. This phenomenon indicates too much calcium and magnesium in water. You can partially resolve this problem by using filter kettles or tap filters. But eliminating the problem completely might be impossible. In this case, all you can do is controlling the appliances regularly and descaling the kettle and other scale-prone devices.

How to clean an electric kettle and other appliances? You can descale the kettle using store-bought products available in a household appliances store. But there are also popular home remedies, thanks to which one can clean the kettle effectively.

Descaling a kettle using special products

Store-bought products for descaling a kettle are typically used in gastronomy, where there’s no time for home remedies - time plays an important role here, along with effectiveness. Products used for descaling a kettle are typically available in small packets or as tablets. Each such item contains an instruction telling you how to remove limescale from a kettle, step by step.

Some chemical kettle descalers contain harmful substances. For this reason, remember to wash the device thoroughly after descaling the kettle. During the process, you can also stick a note to the appliance so that nobody drinks the water with the product in it.

How to clean an electric kettle using lemon juice?

Descaling a kettle using lemon juice is very safe and easy. Pour water into the device - a little below the max level, and squeeze the juice from one lemon into it (if there is a lot of scale, use two fruits).

Next, leave the kettle for about 30 minutes and then turn it on and boil the water. So-called scale “flakes” should come off the kettle bottom, walls and heater. Pour out the water and rinse the kettle thoroughly.

You can use citric acid instead of lemon juice. One small packet is enough for the whole kettle. Follow the exact same steps as for lemon juice.

How to remove limescale from a kettle using vinegar?

Do you want to remove limescale from your kettle quickly and effectively? Vinegar is perfect for this purpose. Descaling a kettle with it is extremely easy. Just mix it with water in equal proportions, pour the solution into the kettle and boil it. Make sure the hot liquid remains in the device for 1-2 hours. During this time, it reacts with the scale and removes it effectively. Afterwards, pour out the liquid and rinse the device well.

The vinegar method is perfect not only for descaling a kettle, but also for cleaning a burnt pot. The mentioned solution works great even if the limescale is extensive.

Vinegar has a very characteristic smell, so rinsing the kettle with just water after descaling might be not enough. If so, boil some water one more time and rinse the device again - this should remove the unpleasant smell.

Descaling a kettle with baking soda

Baking soda is a very universal product offering a lot of possibilities. Thanks to it, you can not only remove scale from a kettle, but also clean an oven, restore the shine of a burnt iron or whiten curtains. Typically, baking soda can be found in every kitchen, so you can descale your kettle at any point. How to clean an electric kettle with this method?

Pour water along with two tablespoons of soda into the kettle. The limescale in the kettle should disappear after a couple of minutes. If you notice it happened, pour out the liquid and rinse the device thoroughly. Baking soda has a very characteristic aftertaste, so the last step is very important so that your coffee or tea tastes good.

Descaling a kettle using Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is one of the most popular beverages across the whole world. As it turns out, its use doesn’t involve just thirst quenching. A small quantity - just one glass can descale a kettle very quickly.

How to remove limescale from a kettle using Coca-Cola? Pour the beverage into the kettle. Add some water. Turn on the device and boil the liquid. Afterwards, pour it out and rinse the device thoroughly.

Is there a lot of scale build-up in the kettle? Add one teaspoon of baking soda. The result will surprise you - the kettle will look brand new.

Potato peels - can they be used for descaling a kettle?

Using potato peels is quite an unusual method for descaling a kettle. Although this method can remove scale from a kettle, it requires more time. Make sure to wash the vegetables and remove any dirt while peeling them.

If you have some potato peels, throw them into the kettle, fill it with water and boil. The remaining steps are exactly the same as in previous methods. Pour everything out and rinse the device well.