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? For heavy deposits, you might need to do the treatment twice to break the buildup down. Other Benefits of Using a Kettle Descaler Ball By the end of the treatment your kettle will look shinier and be as good as new. You should also notice that it functions better, and the water doesn’t taste chalky. The frequency of descaling an electric kettle depends on the hardness of the water in your area and how often you use the kettle. Descaling is the process of removing mineral deposits (primarily calcium and magnesium) that build up over time from the water you boil. These deposits can affect the efficiency of the kettle and the taste of the water. Sadly, kettle descaler balls don’t exactly capture 100 percent of the limescale. This works by the mesh ball collecting most of the limescale while the rest of the deposits settle on their kettle’s side, base, and heating element. This is most evident for those who live in areas with hard water.

Bring it to the boil and leave to stand until it's completely cooled, before rinsing it out several times. You can use a long-handled scrubbing brush to remove any particularly stubborn patches if necessary. Try not to leave water standing in the kettle, as this encourages limescale. To avoid wasting water, try to only fill the kettle with as much as you need. The hard-water kettles on our list are all electric kettles and they are all “one-temperature kettles”. Sadly we were unable to find any induction kettles or variable-temperature kettles with filtration, but we’ll keep our eyes open and if we find any, we’ll update our list. Best Anti Lime Scale Kettle Fill a quart-sized glass jar with lemon rinds. Cover with white vinegar. Let it sit for 1 to 2 weeks. READ NEXT: Our favourite water filter jugs for improving the taste of your tap water What is limescale?

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.

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. However, I have friends who also boil the vinegar and water solution first before letting it sit for an hour. This treatment solution is hassle-free and cheap, doesn’t involve toxic chemicals, and can be found right in your kitchen. Some sources try to claim that drinking hard water causes health problems such as kidney stones, but this is untrue. In fact, the main minerals found in hard water (calcium and magnesium) are usually found in the bottled water sold at your local supermarket. Moderate hardness water: If you have moderate hardness water, it's a good idea to descale your electric kettle every 2-3 months. This should be sufficient to prevent a heavy buildup of mineral deposits. If you’re cleaning an electric kettle, make sure it's unplugged before pouring in the water and vinegar.

For a hassle-free and cheap way to descale a kettle, fill it with a mixture of half white vinegar and half water, and leave to soak overnight. (Make sure the kettle is unplugged and there's a note on it so nobody uses it accidentally!) In the morning, the limescale will come off easily. Rinse thoroughly to remove any lingering vinegary odours, and boil up fresh water after the treatment. Technically, “hard water” is water with high mineral content, but for practical purposes, the only mineral which really matters is lime. Lime is perfectly safe to drink, but it doesn’t necessarily taste very pleasant and the resultant lime-scale can seriously damage household appliances. The Fox Run Kettle Scale Collector coiled ball made from stainless steel wire was designed with a large surface area to ensure that all calcium deposits are collected. Most importantly, there is a removable limescale filter that keeps your electric kettle in top condition through prolonged use, even in areas with hard water.

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How Often Should You Descale an Electric Kettle?

The product is made in the UK, and can be used to descale and improve the performance and lifespan of both plastic and metal kettles. Martin Lewis: Do you have a Power of Attorney? It’s crucial protection – not just for the elderly – and more important than a will NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Ulster Bank, which are all part of the NatWest Group, will now shut at least 172 of their bank branches in 2023 and 2024.