For most of us, a cup of tea or coffee is a must in the morning. Has this ever happened to you - you're looking forward to your favorite drink, but after brewing you see little limescale crumbs in the glass? Pretty annoying, right? Regardless of whether it is an iron, coffee machine or kettle – all devices that use water must be descaled regularly. But when was the last time you did it? If you don't remember it, then you should definitely read on. We have put together a practical guide and the best home remedies for you on how to clean your kettleclean and maintain properly.
How often should you clean the kettle?
Sooner or later, deposits form in every kettle. Too much lime is not only unsightly, but also means that the water takes longer to boil. This in turn significantly increases energy consumption and shortens the lifespan of the device. To ensure that your morning cup of tea or coffee always tastes perfect, it is very important to clean the kettle. Of course, how often you do this depends on how often you use the kettle. If it is used every day, we would recommend that you clean and descale it thoroughly at least once a month.
Cleaning the kettle: These home remedies really help
There are now countless products and cleaning agents on the market that remove limescale stains. But these are not particularly cheap and are often full of chemicals and very aggressive. Fortunately, there are some effective home remedies that are ideal for cleaning the kettle. And the best part? We are sure you already have most of them in your home.
With vinegar or acetic acid
Cleaning a kettle with vinegar – who doesn’t know this method? Vinegar and vinegar essence from the drugstore are definitely among the most effective home remedies for limescale stains. Since this method can irritate the mucous membrane, you should be careful not to inhale the vapor. Vinegar essence can also damage plastic parts and rubber seals and is not suitable for cleaning brass and copper. And here are short instructions on how to clean the kettle with vinegar:
- Mix vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio and pour the mixture into the kettle.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then leave it for another 30 to 40 minutes.
- Rinse the kettle several times with cold water and boil fresh water at least twice. This step is especially important to completely remove the smell of vinegar.
Clean kettle with baking soda
It doesn't matter whether you clean the kettle orclean the ovenwant – baking powder is a real all-round talent in the kitchen! However, it can foam a lot when heated, which is why you should use it sparingly. And this is how you can clean the kettle with baking soda:
- Fill the kettle with water and add 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
- Bring the water to the boil and let it soak for 1 hour.
- Rinse the kettle several times with water and boil fresh water once.
with lemon
Lemon is another excellent home remedy for cleaning the kettle and, as a bonus, leaves a wonderfully refreshing smell but no aftertaste. However, at temperatures above 40 degrees, the citric acid can combine with the lime and lead to the formation of calcium citrate. Since this mixture is difficult to remove afterwards and can damage the device, you should proceed very carefully.
- Add 500 ml of water and around 30 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the kettle and leave the mixture to work for 1 hour.
- Pour away the mixture and rinse the kettle thoroughly.
- Boil fresh water once and voilà - it's that easy to clean the kettle with lemon.
Clean the outside of the kettle
A calcified kettle, full of stains – doesn’t look particularly nice, does it? So that you can enjoy your device for as long as possible, we have a few tips for you on how to clean the outside of the kettle. To avoid possible scratches, avoid using aggressive abrasive cleaners and always use a soft cloth or towel.
The outside of a kettle can be easily cleaned with a little washing-up liquid and lukewarm water. Make sure that the device is unplugged and not hot. To do this, mix some dish soap and water and dip a soft cloth in it. Wipe the outside of the kettle with it and then polish it with a dry, soft cloth. You can easily remove heavy grease stains with vinegar, citric acid or dissolved dishwasher tabs.
