When your kettle is cool, clean the exterior with hot, soapy water (do not fully immerse it in the sink) and then wipe it down with a microfibre cloth. How often you need to descale an electric kettle depends on what kind of water you put into it, and how often you use it. Almost any kettle you buy from a reputable manufacturer will come with some sort of limescale filter in the spout, which is designed to separate the limescale from the water as you pour. Most household acids will do a decent job of dissolving limescale, so if you don’t have white vinegar to hand you could also use citric acid or lemon juice – the results shouldn’t be too different, and the smell will be a little more pleasant.

There are a handful of home tests that will tell you whether your water is hard or soft. You can buy special kits or do it yourself using household materials – the latter is not as accurate though. READ NEXT: Our favourite rapid-boil, quiet and smart kettles How to remove limescale from your kettle So, if you want to make sure that your morning cuppa isn’t ruined by mineral deposits, you’ve got to descale your kettle on a regular basis.

Soft water area – In contrast, if you live in a soft water area and you use your kettle a lot, you should aim to descale your kettle every one to two months. And if you fill your kettle up with soft water but you don’t boil your kettle very much, you should descale your kettle every two to three months. There might be minuscule bits or flakes of metal left in the ball during the manufacturing process. That’s why it’s important to thoroughly wash and rinse it before initial use. Drain the water and rinse several times, using a long-handled scrubbing brush to remove any rogue flakes if necessary.

Oust Powerful All Purpose Descaler Limescale Remover is one of these products! You get glowing, limescale free results in less than 10 minutes, and it won’t cost you a fortune either. In addition to this, the descaler can boost the performance of your kettle and help to prolong its life. That said, you should still get into the habit of throwing out stale water. Only boil as much water as you need – you’ll save money by not running the kettle for longer than is necessary, and will minimise limescale build-up by not exposing the element to large quantities of water-based minerals – and avoid reboiling water whenever possible.

You can expect the limescale to break down and easily come off in the morning after soaking in mild acid. Afterward, rinse your kettle thoroughly, then boil up a pot of fresh water and throw it away. This should help get rid of any unpleasant odor from the vinegar. Moreover, a descaler ball works more as a kettle protector or protection against limescale buildup than as a descaler. This means that while the ball can prevent mineral deposits from building up inside your kettle, it can no longer clean or get rid of the deposit that has already settled and hardened inside your 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. 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?

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. The heating element in your kettle starts to become less effective, meaning it takes longer to boil water and is therefore less energy efficient. If your kettle is particularly scaly, you can also add a small amount of bicarbonate of soda to the mixture to help shift any stubborn build-up – you should only need about a teaspoon. Fill your kettle with clean water, boil it and empty it a few times to remove any traces of vinegar.

The Best Kettle Descalers in the UK

A stainless steel kettle descaler ball may not be a popular choice when it comes to descaling and protecting your kettle from limescale buildup, but it’s effective for the most part. Limescale is a naturally occurring substance and is not at all dangerous to consume. Tap water containing large amounts of limescale may not taste great though, and it often gives hot drinks a slightly salty or bitter aftertaste. There might be some oil and other chemicals left over from the manufacturing process, so using the ball without washing it first might give your water that initial unpleasant taste or smell. Will It Leave Tiny Bits of Metal in the Water That You Could Swallow With Your Tea or Coffee? Time for a kitchen deep clean? Find out which household appliances you really shouldn’t clean with vinegar . Other ways to descale your kettle Scottish Highlands & Islands postcodes: AB, FK, HS, IV, KA, KW, PA, PH, ZE, LL58-LL78, IM, TR, PO30-41