Descale a Kettle
A kettle that is full of lime-scale not only looks terrible, but takes longer to boil and wastes electricity because the scale prevents the element from conducting heat well. Eventually the element can burn out if it is not descaled, so you'd have to throw it out and get a new kettle.
Contents
Steps
- Know what a kettle with lime-scale looks like. In these images, you can see the difference between a kettle with scale and one without:
- Kettle with scale:
- Descaled kettle:
- Choose which ingredients to use. You can use white vinegar or citric acid (lemons/limes), whichever you have available to you. See "Tips" for information on using commercial descalers.
Using vinegar
- Make up the mixture. Dilute the vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio.
- Pour into the kettle and leave it in the kettle for 1 hour, without boiling.
- Tip out the vinegar after soaking.
- Wipe down. If there is any lime-scale left in the kettle, you can wipe it down with a small amount of bicarbonate of soda on a damp cloth. Unplug the kettle before you do this.
- Rinse. Fully rinse the kettle with fresh water at least 5 times before using again.
Using lemon or lime water
- Make the mixture. Mix 30g (1oz) of the lemons or limes with 500ml (2 cups) of water.
- Pour the lemon or lime juice in to the kettle and boil. Leave the kettle to cool before emptying it.
- Wipe down. If there is any lime-scale left in the kettle, you can wipe it down with a small amount of bicarbonate of soda on a damp cloth. Let the element cool down, and unplug the kettle before you do this.
- Rinse. Fully rinse the kettle with fresh water at least 5 times before using again.
Using fresh lemons or limes (minor descaling)
- If your kettle only needs mild descaling, you can try quartering a lemon/lime, filling the kettle with water and putting in the lemon. Boil the kettle once or twice, and leave to soak until the water has cooled.
- Wipe down. If there is any lime-scale left in the kettle, you can wipe it down with a small amount of bicarbonate of soda on a damp cloth. Let the element cool down, and unplug the kettle before you do this.
- Rinse. Fully rinse the kettle with fresh water at least 5 times before using again.
Tips
- There are commercial descalers available, but make sure they are specifically for use on kettles and are not metal descalers. If you choose to use one, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Commercial descalers are often corrosive, so care needs to be taken to protect skin, eyes and surrounding objects.
Things You'll Need
- Cloth
Method 1:
- White vinegar
Methods 2 and 3:
- Citric acid (lemon); lemons (fresh)
- 'Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) (optional)
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