Unfortunately, most faucets have hard water that creates unhealthy and unsightly deposits. Limescale not only spoils the taste of brewed drinks, but can also be unfavorable for the teapot. There are many ways to descale the kettle with home methods.
What causes scale in the kettle?
The deposition of scale depends on the mineral composition of the water that we pour into the kettle. The more calcium and magnesium, the harder the water. When heated, calcium and magnesium precipitate out of the water, and then settle to the bottom and walls of the container. Even carefully filtered water will contain some amount of these elements.
Sediment at the bottom of the kettleRegular descaling keeps your equipment clean and ensures efficient performance and long-term use without the risk of failure.
How to remove scale from the kettle?
Minerals settling to the bottom cause boiled water to often have an unpleasant aftertaste, which negatively affects the quality of the prepared drink. It is worth doing regular descaling. Here are some effective methods you can try:
- acetic acid;
- lemon acid;
- lemon juice;
- soda;
- potato peelings;
- Coca Cola.
These products have strong cleaning properties and successfully replace household chemicals.
How to descale a kettle with vinegar
Pour equal parts vinegar and water into the kettle, just enough to cover the sediment. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn off the kettle and let it sit for a few hours (preferably overnight).
Then pour out the mixture, and rinse the kettle with clean water several times to remove any residual vinegar.
Note! Descaling with vinegar is one of the most effective methods, however, in case of very heavy deposits, it may be necessary to repeat the process. Do exactly the same until the inside of the kettle is clean and free of limescale.
How to descale a kettle with citric acid
Acid is slightly less effective than vinegar, but doesn’t leave the same intense odor. Food grade citric acid can be found in grocery stores.
Prepare a solution of citric acid: about 2-3 tablespoons are dissolved in a cup of water. Pour the solution into the kettle, making sure that it completely covers the scale. Bring to a boil, watch the process until the water boils.
After boiling, turn off the kettle, and leave the solution inside for several hours or better all night. This will give the acid time to soften and dissolve the scale. After that, the citric acid solution is poured out of the kettle.
If the scale in the kettle is very hard and persistent, you can prepare a more concentrated solution of citric acid. Mix 1 part citric acid with 1 part water and heat this mixture to a boil in a kettle. Also leave the solution for several hours, then pour and rinse the kettle.
Additional Information! After using any of these methods, it is recommended to rinse the kettle with clean water several times to remove any remaining solution. It is also helpful to wipe the inside of the kettle with a soft sponge or brush to remove sediment. After completing these steps, the kettle should be descaled.
The citric acid may leave some odor, which should disappear after a thorough rinsing. It is good enough to rinse the kettle to get rid of the smell of citric acid before using it to make tea or other drinks.
Instead of acid, you can also use lemon juice, but you need to add much more of it – about a cup per teapot. A similar method is to rub the inside of the teapot with half a lemon. Squeeze the juice from the lemons and rub it on the scale inside the kettle. Leave for a few hours, then rinse the kettle with clean water.
How to descale a kettle with baking soda
Vinegar and citric acid are two of the most common home remedies for kettle cleaning. However, apart from these, there are others that can be used. We are talking about potato peelings and baking soda.
Dissolve 2-3 tbsp. tablespoons of baking soda in a cup of water. Pour the solution into the kettle and bring it to a boil. Leave for a few hours, then pour out and rinse the kettle with water.
Note! Before using any solution, it is recommended that you read the instructions for use of the particular kettle to ensure that the cleaning method chosen is safe for use with that model of kettle.
How to descale a kettle with vinegar and baking soda
If solutions and mechanical cleaning did not remove all scale, you can try the following additional methods. Descale your kettle with a combination of vinegar and baking soda.
First, mix equal parts vinegar and water, enough to cover the scale in the kettle, for example, 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water. Pour this mixture into a kettle and bring to a boil. Allow the solution to boil for a few minutes.
Then turn off the kettle and add about 2 tbsp. tablespoons of soda (sodium bicarbonate). It will start to react with the vinegar and create a foamy mixture. Wait a few minutes for the mixture of vinegar, water and baking soda to work on the scale. It will soften and tear off deposits from the walls of the kettle.
Using a soft-bristled brush or sponge, thoroughly scrub the inside of the kettle to remove any remaining limescale. After wiping the kettle, rinse it several times with clean water to remove any remaining scale.
It is important to remember that using a mixture of vinegar and baking soda can cause a reaction during which foam is formed. Therefore, you need to be careful not to fill the kettle completely to avoid possible overflow of the solution.
How to effectively descale the kettle with potato peels?
Another natural homemade way to descale your kettle is to add potato husks. To increase the effectiveness of this method, it is worth repeating the operation several times, not forgetting to replace the shell with a fresh one. This method is known and used by many generations.
All you need to do is toss the washed cleanings into the bottom of the kettle, then fill them with water and boil. In order for the plaque to move away from the bottom of the kettle completely, it is worth repeating the operation several times, replacing the skins with fresh ones.
How to remove scale from the kettle with Coca-Cola?
Another practical descaling idea is to pour a glass of Coca-Cola into the kettle and fill it with water. For a better effect, you can add a little baking soda. This is one of the more gentle methods of removing sediment.
It will do well, in particular, with a slight coating in a ceramic teapot, which requires more careful handling than steel utensils.
Precautions on how to descale an electric kettle
Descaling an electric kettle requires some precautions. Here are the steps you can take:
- unplug the kettle from the power source and allow it to cool completely before starting the cleaning process;
- prepare a cleaning solution using one of the options:
- pour the solution inside the kettle, enough to cover the scale.
Turn on the kettle, and bring the solution to a boil, leave it inside for a certain period so that the sediment can soften. The solution is then carefully poured out. Rinse the kettle several times with clean water to remove the remaining solution and dissolved scale.
After rinsing, make sure the kettle is completely dry before plugging it in and using it again.
In stores, you can find special cleaning products for removing scale from kettles. Follow the instructions on the packaging for their use.
Remember that before using any solution or cleaner, it is a good idea to read your electric kettle’s instructions for use and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. This will help avoid damage and ensure safety when cleaning.