Chloe Zhang
Limescale is the insoluble calcium and magnesium deposits that are left behind when hard water evaporates. This buildup can affect the taste of your hot beverages and reduce the lifespan of your kettle. Descaling is the process of removing limescale buildup inside your kettle. There are many ways to descale a plastic kettle, including using distilled white vinegar and water, lemon water, baking soda and water, or an eco-proprietary kettle descaler.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for descaling | To remove limescale buildup inside the kettle, which comes from calcium, magnesium and other minerals found in the water. |
| How often to descale | Every few months, or more frequently if there is significant buildup. |
| What you need | White vinegar, lemon juice, citric acid, baking soda, or a proprietary descaling agent. |
| Process | Mix vinegar or another agent with water, boil the kettle, unplug it, leave the solution inside for 15-20 minutes, scrub the interior with a toothbrush or soft sponge, rinse and dry the kettle. |
| Other tips | Open a window or turn on the extractor fan before boiling the kettle, as the process can produce a lot of steam. |
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What You'll Learn
Using vinegar
Vinegar is a mild acid that can be used to break down mineral buildup in your kettle. It is a cost-effective and natural way to descale your kettle. To descale your kettle using vinegar, follow these steps:
Firstly, ensure your kettle is cool and empty. Then, fill your kettle with equal parts water and vinegar. For example, you could use 250ml of water and 250ml of vinegar. It is important to note that you should only use white vinegar, as other types of vinegar such as malt, apple cider, or white wine vinegar have lower acidity and are not strong enough.
Next, bring the mixture to a boil and then turn off the kettle. Do not boil the vinegar itself, as the smell will fill your kitchen. Instead, allow the mixture to sit in the kettle for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight for better results. After this, pour out the solution and rinse the kettle thoroughly with clean water.
To get rid of the vinegar smell, fill the kettle with water and boil it again. You may need to repeat this process a few times to completely remove the vinegar odour.
In addition to descaling, you can also use vinegar to clean the exterior of your kettle. Simply spritz a solution of half water and half vinegar onto a clean, fine microfibre or soft cloth and wipe down the exterior of the kettle. This will leave your kettle sparkling clean!
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Using lemon juice
Lemon juice is an effective way to descale a plastic kettle, and it's a natural alternative to chemical-based descalers. Lemon juice can rid your kettle of limescale and leave it sparkling and clean.
To descale your kettle using lemon juice, start by ensuring your kettle is empty and cold. Next, squeeze the juice of one lemon into the kettle and swirl it around. Leave the lemon juice in the kettle for about an hour. Then, add the minimum amount of water to the kettle and boil it. Pour out the water and rinse the kettle. If there is still limescale in the kettle, repeat the process with another half or whole lemon.
You can also use lemon halves to clean the outside of the kettle. Rub the lemon over the surface to kill bacteria and remove mildew. Cut the lemon halves into small pieces and add them to the kettle. Pour in about 500ml of water, or enough to cover the affected areas, and leave it to boil. Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes to an hour, then pour the contents into a jug. Rinse the kettle with warm water and dry the outside with a microfiber cloth.
Lemon juice is a great option for descaling your kettle as it is gentle on most kettle materials and will leave your kettle with a pleasant, refreshing smell.
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Using citric acid
Descaling a plastic kettle with citric acid is an effective, natural, and non-toxic method. Citric acid is a reducing agent and a weak acid, making it a more versatile option than vinegar. It is also gentler on the kettle's materials, including plastic, and poses less risk of damage.
To descale your plastic kettle using citric acid, start by filling your kettle with water. You will need enough water to cover the heating element halfway down and all of the limescale present—normally, this is about halfway full. Then, open your citric acid container and pour in two heaped teaspoons or one tablespoon of citric acid. You can adjust the amount of citric acid depending on the severity of the limescale buildup in your kettle.
Once you have added the citric acid, put the kettle's lid back on and turn it on. Watch the chemical reaction between the water and the citric acid as it begins to heat up and bubble. When the kettle reaches boiling point, turn it off and leave it for about 10 minutes to let the citric acid break down the limescale. After 10 minutes, pour away the water. Rinse the kettle's filter as limescale can get caught by it when pouring out the water. If necessary, reboil the kettle to remove any leftover bits.
Your kettle should now be gleaming and limescale-free, ready for you to enjoy a nice cup of tea without any crunchy bits!
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Cleaning the outside
Once you have wiped down the outside of the kettle, rinse the whole kettle under warm water to ensure any remaining vinegar solution is removed. Dry the kettle with a dish towel, or use a microfiber cloth to buff the kettle to a shine. Be careful not to use an abrasive sponge or cloth, as it could scratch the finish.
If you want to add a little extra shine to your kettle, you can use olive oil as a natural cleaning solution. Simply dab a teaspoon of olive oil onto a soft, microfiber cloth and gently rub the exterior of the kettle.
For particularly stubborn limescale marks on the outside of your kettle, soak a kitchen towel in a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water, and apply this directly to the stain. Leave the solution to sit on the stain for a few minutes, and then wipe away with a microfibre cloth.
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Descaling frequency
Descaling, or removing limescale buildup, should be done to your kettle every few months to ensure that it continues to work efficiently and to avoid damage to the appliance. The frequency of descaling depends on the hardness of the water in your area, which affects how quickly limescale builds up. If you have hard water, you may need to descale your kettle more often, as hard water has a higher mineral content.
Limescale is formed when hard water is boiled and left in the kettle, so the best way to avoid a buildup is to empty your kettle after each use. You can also remove as much free-floating limescale as possible by removing the filter in the spout, filling the kettle a quarter full with water, swirling, and then pouring out the water. Repeat this process until you've removed as much solid limescale as possible.
If you're seeing a significant buildup of limescale that's affecting your kettle's performance, you may need to descale it more frequently than every few months. Limescale buildup can cause the kettle to become less efficient and even burn out, so it's important to address the issue promptly.
Descaling your kettle regularly not only maintains its efficiency but also ensures the best taste for your hot beverages. The buildup of limescale can impact the taste of your tea or coffee, and leaving it untreated can shorten the lifespan of your kettle over time. Therefore, it's recommended to descale your kettle every few months or more frequently if you notice significant buildup.
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Frequently asked questions
Descaling is the process of removing limescale buildup inside your kettle, which comes from calcium and magnesium deposits found in hard water. If left untreated, limescale can affect the taste of your hot beverages and shorten the lifespan of your kettle.
To descale a plastic kettle, you can use a mixture of white vinegar and water or a proprietary kettle descaler. First, remove any free-floating limescale and the filter from the spout. Then, fill the kettle halfway with a mixture of two parts water and one part vinegar. Boil the solution and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before unplugging the kettle. Use a toothbrush to scrub the interior, paying extra attention to the edges and hard-to-reach places. Rinse the kettle at least 2-3 times and then leave it to dry. You can also use lemon juice, citric acid, or baking soda as natural alternatives.
It is recommended to descale your kettle every few months or more frequently if you notice significant buildup or a decrease in performance. Limescale buildup may be harder to clean if left for a long time, so regular descaling is important.
