Trouble figuring out how to descale a kettle without using unknown harmful chemicals? Well, we have five different effective home remedies to remove limescale from any electric kettle.
Limescale is usually a result of mineral deposition from hard water. If not thoroughly cleaned after each use, these minerals deposit over the heating part and make a hard layer over time.
It is worth knowing how to descale the kettle effectively without using harmful chemicals like citric acid. A kettle containing limescale and mineral deposits not only looks unhygienic but can also be harmful to health.
Limescale deposits can also result in bathroom grout. Check this DIY effective grout removal that uses the same ingredients below.
1. Descale a Kettle With Vinegar
Vinegar is a versatile home ingredient often used to remove various types of hard deposits. It effectively fights off harmful pathogens and is also a great home remedy against limescale and hard water deposits.
- Fill your kettle with equal amounts of vinegar and water.
- Make sure the mixture level in the kettle is high enough to cover the entire area to be cleaned.
- Put the mixture on medium heat until it boils.
- Let it boil for 5 minutes. Then wait for another 20 minutes before you dispose off the mixture.
- Scrub the scaled surface with a dishwasher sponge and rinse with water.
Limescale is also the culprit behind a clogged showerhead. You can unclog using with simple DIY bathroom hack that only uses vinegar.
2. Use Baking Soda For Limescale
Another DIY way to clean the kettle is to use baking soda. Baking soda is a common kitchen ingredient that can be used to descale a kettle. In this case, it is enough to put a little soda into the water in the kettle and wait an hour.
- Put a tbs of baking soda into the kettle.
- Add a glass of water and let it stay for half an hour.
- Dispose off the solution and rinse with water.
Did you know? Baking soda also has many beauty uses that you can implement for various skin regimens like removing acne to soothing away the skin. Check these 7 amazing beauty uses of baking soda for better skin.
3. Lemon Juice to Remove Deposits
Lemon juice is a natural cleaner that easily removes limescale deposits from kettles. While it is not as strong as vinegar, it is still a great and safe home remedy.
- Squeeze 2 fresh lemons on the limescale affected surface.
- Wait for a few minutes for the citric acid in the juice to react with the limescale.
- You may scrub with a metal dish scrubber to ensure no deposits are retained.
- Rinse with hot water.
An alternative is to put lemon pieces on the bottom of the kettle. You can also rub lemon on the walls to make the juice work faster. The availability of lemon and the simplicity of implementation make this method often used in households. Lemon and vinegar have been used for many years to clean many items in the kitchen and bathroom.
4. Descale a Kettle With Citric Acid
The action of citric acid is similar to that of vinegar. Removing limescale from an electric kettle with acid is very simple.
- Just pour 5 teaspoons of citric acid into a kettle full of water.
- Ideally, leave it overnight to let the mixture work.
- Then empty and rinse with hot water.
Like in the case of vinegar, it is important to wash the kettle thoroughly after citric acid treatment. This is to remove the strong smell of citric acid and remove any residue. Also, note that the acid you use for such cleaning purposes is dilute citric acid and so it’s safe to use.
So, these were our tried and tested home remedies to descale a kettle. Did you try any of them already? Which one worked for you the best? We would love to know!