Limescale is a chalky substance caused by living in a hard water area, and it often builds up around taps and in appliances like kettles.
While it is completely safe to drink from a kettle with limescale, it can sometimes result in a funny-tasting hot drink.
The water softener experts at Kind Water said: “You will start to notice you have a limescale build up in your kettle when the water capacity has decreased over time.
“This causes it to become less efficient and you may notice an unusual or unpleasant taste or odour. To combat this, here are three simple methods to follow.”
The pros recommended using either white vinegar, lemon juice or baking soda to naturally descale kettles.
1. White vinegar
The experts explained: “Start by filling the kettle halfway with equal parts of white vinegar and water and let the solution sit in the kettle for about an hour.
“Heat the kettle until the mixture begins to boil before turning it off and allowing it to cool down.”
Empty the solution once cool and rinse the kettle thoroughly with water before boiling a fresh batch of water to remove any residue.
The acetic acid in the white vinegar makes it a great limescale-tackling cleaning agent.
2. Lemon juice
Lemon juice works similarly so start by squeezing the juice of two lemons into the kettle with water.
Heat the kettle to a boil and then let the lemon juice work on the limescale for about an hour, depending on how bad the limescale is.
The fruit will not just destroy the limescale, but it’ll also brighten up the kettle’s interior and provide a pleasant scent.
What’s more, the outside of the lemon doesn’t have to go to waste and can be used to clean the outside of the kettle, or even be used to clean a wooden chopping board.
3. Baking soda
Baking soda is another natural cleaning product which can be used for a variety of different jobs around the home, including cleaning the kettle.
The experts continued: “Fill the kettle with water until it is halfway full and then add two tablespoons of baking soda to the water.
“Heat the kettle to a boil and then turn off the kettle and let it sit for about 20 to 30 minutes. Empty the kettle and rinse it thoroughly with water.”
