When limescale builds up in your kettle, it takes longer to boil, which makes it more expensive to run, and can shorten its working life. It’s also unsightly and unappetising if it flakes off and ends up floating in your drinks. Unfortunately, limescale is a fact of life for more than half of all British homes.

READ NEXT: Our favourite water filter jugs for improving the taste of your tap water What is limescale?

Read on to learn how to descale your kettle using dedicated products or natural remedies

Multipurpose– Use on any of your household appliances such as kettles, irons, toasters, shower heads, coffee machines and more.

Heat iron until hot to the touch and unplug. Empty 1 sachet in a jug and pour into iron's water chamber. Top up with water and set to steam. Leave for 8 minutes for solution to drain through steam holes. There are several ways to remove limescale from a kettle and, depending on the level of limescale present and the model of kettle you’re working with, finding which works best may require a little trial and error. How to remove limescale using lemon Naturally, only put your hands inside or on the kettle if it is absolutely cold. We also recommend using a toothbrush to clean around and as far under the element as possible.You may also need to replace a limescale-caked kettle sooner than you intended. According to several sources, including kitchen appliance designer Kutchina, “the average lifespan of a good quality electric kettle is 4 years to 5 years maximum”. If you’re putting yours under strain by forcing it to work longer and harder, those figures might prove optimistic. How does limescale build up in a kettle?

At that point, it’s time to take action. Cleaning limescale is something we should all do, especially if you live in a ‘hard water’ area. And, while it isn’t difficult, it does take a bit of time, particularly if you haven’t done it regularly. It may also involve the use of chemicals and hot water, so it’s advisable to take all necessary precautions to protect your skin and eyes from scalds, burns, and unwanted splashes before getting started. It’s also important to warn any other household members that the kettle is out of action until you’ve finished and thoroughly rinsed it through – you don’t want them making a chemical-laden cup of tea. READ NEXT: Protect your pipes and appliances from damage with our best limescale removers Ongoing limescale removal The minerals responsible for any limescale in your kettle were already present in the water when it was running through your plumbing. So, if you drank the water straight from the tap without boiling it first, the same chemicals causing the limescale problem would still be present, they just wouldn’t be so obvious. Half fill water reservoir and add the content of 1 sachet. Leave for 8 minutes and filter solution through. Rinse thoroughly with water. If you’d rather not scrub, you can add a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to 500ml of water and boil several times, allowing it to cool between each boiling. Then empty and rinse thoroughly with cold water.We’ll run through some of the best options for removing limescale from your kettle below. But first, we’ll explore what limescale is, where it comes from, and whether it’s a health risk. You can also use bottled lemon juice (but not lemon squash!) if you don’t have a lemon handy – add a couple of tablespoons to the kettle in place of the lemon slices, and, again, top up the water to cover the area affected by limescale. Boil and cool the water twice, then rinse the kettle thoroughly to avoid any lingering taste of lemon affecting the next few rounds of drinks. If this doesn’t shift the limescale either increase the ratio of lemon to water, or try an alternative solution. How to remove limescale using vinegar

Using a filter to reduce the mineral load in your tap water before boiling can help slow down the build-up of limescale in your kettle. So can installing a water softener. But what if it’s too late for that? And the limescale has already coated the element, the walls, and the base? READ NEXT: Our favourite rapid-boil, quiet and smart kettles How to remove limescale from your kettle Limescale, in small quantities, does not have any bad repercussions on your organism,” says Procter & Gamble. “On the contrary: most mineral waters you find in stores have minerals like magnesium and calcium that are good for your body.” You can also select a convenient day to receive your delivery by choosing a named day delivery (delivery on working days only). Effective -SLAM will help improve the performance and lengthen the life of your kettle, coffee machine, steam iron or shower head.

This natural solution doesn’t rely on any chemicals, so it’s both kind to the environment and inexpensive. Thinly slice a lemon and drop the slices into your kettle. Fill the kettle to the top of the area affected by limescale (but not above any maximum fill guide, or below any minimum), then boil it and allow it to cool without pouring out the water or removing the lemons. Once it has cooled, boil it again, allow to cool, then pour away the water and rinse it out. Please note that during particularly busy periods, it may take a little longer to receive your delivery and our carrier may attempt to deliver to you on a Saturday. Bicarbonate of soda can also remove limescale if you first use it to create a mildly abrasive gloop. The brains behind WD-40 recommend mixing three tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda with one tablespoon of water: “The mixture should be a little pasty. Then, apply it to the stain to be treated and allow it to dry. With a brush, rub the treated area until removed.” White vinegar can be used for cleaning a wide range of non-porous surfaces, including many kitchen worktops and sinks (but not if they’re made from wood, stone, cast iron, or stainless steel), glass, shower screens, and limescale-caked kettles. The formula is simple: without straying outside the minimum or maximum fill lines, top up the kettle to the height of the limescale with equal parts water and white vinegar. Boil the kettle, then allow it to cool before pouring away the contents and rinsing it to avoid any aftertaste. It will improve the performance and lengthen the life of your coffee machine or shower head for your benefit. It works in just 8 minutes, making your home ready and sparkling again. Features and Benefits