Our love for hot teas and coffee will likely never end, so it’s safe to say our kettles receive a more than ample amount of use. However, with all that use can come some unwanted and unpleasant limescale buildup that can really ruin the taste of your favorite brews. In order to get us all back to our caffeinated heaven, we’ve put together a helpful cleaning guide so that our kettles will be scale-free and ready to use.
With time and heavy use, you may have noticed a slight discoloration and some hard water staining within your kettle. Most metal kettles or kettles with a metal heating plate or base will develop the buildup fairly quickly and, if left untouched, can become damaged and broken with time. While this buildup is a normal occurrence, it can easily impact the overall use of the kettle and cause it to corrode more quickly. This buildup is commonly called limescale, which is a deposit of calcium and magnesium left behind in the kettle when hard water evaporates. It usually forms from heated water or simply from standing water, and since both are regular for kettles, this is why it is so common. Unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid the buildup completely, so you’ll want to stay on top of regular cleaning and descaling for your kettle so that your coffee and tea always taste right.
Now that you know what and why the buildup within your kettle occurs, it is time to learn the best ways to remove it and clean the inside of the kettle. Be aware that several of these methods can produce strong odors and should be in a well-ventilated area when following instructions. All of these methods should be followed with a thorough wash and rinse with soap and water. Here are a few of our most effective cleaning methods:
This particular method is one of the easiest to use. However, you may want to open a window or turn on your range fan as it can produce a rather strong odor. Remember to also wear gloves when cleaning your kettle with this method as vinegar can easily irritate sensitive skin. Here is what you do:
Note that it may take several boiling cycles to fully remove the limescale buildup depending on the amount of buildup present. Just be sure to thoroughly rinse and wash out the inside of the kettle as well as the spout so that there is no remaining vinegar residue.
For this method, you will be replacing vinegar with lemon juice. Here is how to follow this method:
Like with the previous method, this may require a few cycles to fully remove a large amount of limescale buildup. Be sure to thoroughly wash and rinse the kettle before using it again, especially if you opted to use citric acid.
This is another fairly simple cleaning method, but it should also be completed in a well-ventilated space. Here are the directions:
As with the other methods, be sure to follow this with a thorough wash and rinse with soap and water before using your kettle again.
If all else fails, one of the most tried and true cleaning methods for a kettle containing limescale and discoloration is with a purchasable descaling solution. If you plan on picking up a descaling solution, make sure you research and check customer reviews online before making your selection. There are many brands available, and some also provide eco-friendly solutions you can use that use less harmful chemicals and are more safely disposed of. Most solutions can work well with no extra steps or supervision, so make sure you find a good quality product and remember to thoroughly read all the instructions and hazards before you use the product.
Now that your kettle has been fully cleaned and is free of any and all limescale buildup, you’ll want to make sure you maintain its cleanliness. Of course with regular use, limescale buildup is expected and should be kept in check with regular cleaning practices. Here are a few extra tips and tricks for maintaining your kettle and preventing larger amounts of buildup in the future:
We hope this guide helped you clean and descale your kettle so you can keep yourself and your home well caffeinated. If you’re looking for more cleaning tips and tricks to use around your house, or if you’re looking for a great and reliable cleaning service to help you stay on top of your home’s cleanliness, we’ve got you covered. Check out tidyhere.com to find our blog full of helpful hints and a variety of other articles or see what kind of services our friendly cleaners can offer you and your home. Contact us today to find out how we can help keep your home looking and feeling its very best!
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