How to descale a kettle?

Is scale building up in your kettle? It's time to think about descaling it. This is an essential operation to ensure the proper functioning of your appliance and extend its life. You can buy a descaler in shops, but there are also natural alternatives. For example, you can descale your kettle using everyday products such as white vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice or even coke.

Why descale a kettle?

It is important to regularly descale your kettle, whether it is an electric kettle or a stainless steel kettle: indeed the accumulation of scale can damage your appliance over time, and alter the taste of your favourite drinks. It also leads to higher energy consumption, as the water takes longer to boil.

Minerals in tap water, such as calcium and magnesium, gradually turn into limescale and can scale up your various appliances. The amount of scale depends on how often you use your kettle, but also on the hardness of the water in your area: the harder the water, the more likely your kettle or coffee machine will scale.

How do you prevent a kettle from scaling?

To prevent your kettle from scaling daily, here are some tricks: for example, you can place a small pebble or oyster shell on the bottom of your appliance. These will help to fix the limescale and prevent it from migrating to the heating elements or the kettle’s walls. Make sure you wash them well beforehand and replace them when they have turned white.

The more contact the kettle has with water, the more likely it is that limescale will build up: it is, therefore, important not to leave water stagnating in the appliance and to empty it thoroughly after each use.

How to descale a kettle with baking soda?

To descale your kettle or coffee machine, think about baking soda. Inexpensive, this white powder is 100% natural. It absorbs grease, but it also fights limescale. You can descale your kettle as follows:

• Pour one litre of water into the kettle and add two tablespoons of baking soda;
• Boil the mixture;
• Empty the kettle and rinse thoroughly.

Do not hesitate to repeat the operation several times if there are persistent limescale deposits in the kettle.

How to descale a kettle with white vinegar?

Thanks to its disinfectant properties, white vinegar is a powerful descaler, ideal for your kettle as well as your coffee machine. Here's how to easily descale your kettle with white vinegar:

• First, fill half of your kettle with white vinegar;
• Top off with water;
• Bring the mixture to boil;
• Rinse thoroughly, making sure to remove all limescale residue;
• Wipe the inside of the appliance with a soft cloth.

If the kettle is heavily scaled, you can add two tablespoons of baking soda to the vinegar and water mixture. Remember to air the room well while descaling so you do not inhale the vinegar fumes.

How to descale a kettle with lemon juice?

It is also possible to descale a kettle using lemon juice. This naturally contains citric acid, which helps fight limescale and will leave your kettle brand new! To do this you need to:

• Fill the kettle to one-third of its total capacity;
• Add the juice of a whole lemon;
• Boil the mixture before rinsing.

Do not leave the lemon juice in the kettle for too long, as it may damage the appliance. Citric acid is also available in powder form, which can also be used to descale small appliances. In this case, simply fill the kettle with water and add a small packet of citric acid. Leave for three to four hours, without boiling, and rinse.

How to descale a kettle with Coke

Do you have some leftover Coke in your fridge? In the same way as white vinegar, you use it to clean your home: it can be used to make silverware shine or to remove rust traces. But you can also use it to descale your kettle or your coffee machine. To do this, follow the steps below:

• Pour about 30cl of coke into the bottom of the kettle;
• Leave for a few hours;
• Scrub the sides of the kettle with a brush or sponge;
• Rinse several times.