How to descale a kettle and prevent limescale

How to descale a kettle

Descaling a kettle is a quick and easy job that requires minimal cleaning products if you follow this step-by-step guide from Lynsey Crombie, Queen of Clean.

What you'll need:

White vinegar
Lemon juice
Kitchen roll

What to do:

Fill the kettle with half water and add in 20ml of white vinegar or neat lemon juice.
Leave to sit for an hour.
Then boil.
Pour away the solution.
Fill the kettle again with just water and then boil again, pour away the water and then you are ready to use again.
If you have limescale/hard water build up around the spout of lid area, simple dampen some kitchen paper with white vinegar and then wrap around that area, leave to sit for 15/20 minutes then remove and wipe away.
You can also use citric acid powder 20ml or slice up a lemon and pop three slices into the kettle.
To keep your kettle in good working order and keep the hard water away I recommend doing this once a month.

How to prevent limescale in kettles

Leaving water in the kettle can encourage limescale to build up, so it is recommended to empty the kettle out when you're finished with it, particularly if you live in an area with hard water. Better still, you should dry it out after use if you really want to prevent limescale from forming, but this may not always be practical or convenient.

Limescale builds up due to high levels of calcium and magnesium in water

Where does limescale come from?

Limescale is caused by a high concentration of magnesium and calcium found in hard water. It leaves behind a hard, chalky residue and tends to build up where water is left standing or has been heated – meaning it is regularly found in kettles, along with around taps and shower heads. It can also build up in areas you don't see, such as inside pipes, dishwashers and washing machines.