How to clean a metal kettle from scale inside. How can you descale a regular kettle?

Despite the fact that the kettle is a simple household appliance, it requires care. When using an electrical appliance, the internal coating and heating element become covered with scale, which leads to the following consequences:

  1. Damage to the heating element.
  2. Reduced thermal conductivity of the metal of a household appliance.
  3. Reducing the service life of the electric kettle.
  4. Excessive electricity consumption.
  5. Premature wear of an electrical appliance.
  6. Adverse effects of scale on the human body (deterioration in the functioning of the urinary system).

Let's look at how to clean an electric kettle from scale and prevent its occurrence.

The best way to protect against scale

The key factor influencing the formation of deposits on the kettle is an excess of magnesium and calcium salts, which leads to increased water hardness. Special flow filters with softening cartridges help reduce the concentration of magnesium and calcium salts in water, solve the problem of its hardness and prevent the formation of deposits in electrical appliances. Using water purifying filters helps prevent limescale in your electric kettle.

An effective technique is to regularly (at least once a month) clean the container of deposits and rinse it periodically cold water. These measures will help keep your electric kettle clean.

To keep the electrical appliance clean, you should pour out the water remaining after boiling and rinse the appliance before boiling a fresh portion.

At home, it is recommended to install an electromagnetic water converter, which will help reduce its hardness, prevent the appearance of deposits on electrical appliances, washing machine, and water heating tank.

7 most effective descalers

Since descaling a kettle at home is not always easy, let’s consider the most effective means to help solve this problem.

Lemon acid

To clean the kettle with citric acid you need:

  • pour a heaped tablespoon of acid with water;
  • bring the mixture to a boil;
  • wash the electrical appliance;
  • boil another 1-2 portions of water, pour it out;
  • repeat the procedure several times to remove any remaining scale.

Soda

To descale a kettle with soda you need to:

  • pour a tablespoon of soda with water;
  • bring the resulting mixture to a boil;
  • rinse the container;
  • When deposits become soft and loose, remove them with a dishwashing sponge.

Salt and soda

Required:

  • pour 2 tablespoons of soda with water;
  • add a heaping tablespoon of table salt;
  • boil the resulting mixture;
  • For better removal If any deposits have formed, leave the mixture in an electric kettle for 20 minutes;
  • remove remaining deposits with a dishwashing sponge, which will help completely remove scale from the electric kettle.
  • Rinse the device thoroughly.

Whatever water you use - tap, purchased or spring - sooner or later it will appear in the kettle white coating. This is scale formed as a result of the deposition of potassium and magnesium salts dissolved in water on the walls. If it is not cleaned regularly, it will turn into limestone. I will tell you about all the ways to remove scale from a kettle without resorting to special means.

Why scale is dangerous and how to avoid it

It’s clear why scale appears: it’s salts evaporated from water. You can avoid its appearance only if you use distilled water. But it is not only not useful, but also harmful to the body.

However, scale from water itself is also not harmless.:

  • Damage to health. The high content of undissolved salts in drinks leads to cholelithiasis and other physiological disorders;
  • Scale affects the taste of water;
  • Electricity. Limestone on the bottom and walls of the kettle reduces their thermal conductivity and forces you to spend more energy on heating water. And the heating elements in an electric kettle quickly burn out.

Therefore, the answer to the question of how to remove scale from a kettle will help you solve not only an aesthetic problem. But also to avoid unnecessary expenses and health problems.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely prevent the appearance of plaque. But you can prevent the formation of a thick and hard layer, which is very difficult to deal with.

To prevent a thick layer you need:

  • Use soft water . It can be filtered, settled before boiling, or purchased from reliable suppliers.
  • Do not keep water in the kettle. After each tea party, the leftovers should be poured out and the dishes should be rinsed.
  • Clean regularly. Depending on the quality of the water, it needs to be repeated every 2-4 weeks.

To do this, you can use special products sold in stores. Their price varies from 20 to 300 rubles, but, in my opinion, they act exactly the same. The method of application and the time spent on cleaning may differ - each product comes with its own instructions. But this is not important.


But you can do without them. After all, in every kitchen there will always be other, more natural remedies that can cope with this task.

6 ways to get rid of scale

If you don’t know how to descale a kettle, look in your kitchen cabinet or refrigerator. You need foods that contain acid. These are vinegar, citric acid or fresh lemons, apples, pickles and even carbonated drinks.

Method 1 – using vinegar

This product perfectly softens even old mineral deposits. But it is quite aggressive, so it is better not to clean a plastic electric kettle with it. As well as enameled or aluminum.

We act like this:

  • Pour water into the kettle so that it covers the entire plaque;
  • Bring it to a boil and remove from heat;
  • Carefully pour a glass of 9% vinegar into boiling water. or 2 tablespoons of essence for every liter of water;

  • Leave for 1-2 hours.

During this time, the plaque will become loose and can be easily removed with a sponge.

Method 2 - using brine

The brine from pickled cucumbers or tomatoes already contains vinegar, so it can also be used to descale the kettle. There is no need to dilute it, just strain through a sieve.


Sour milk and whey, which contain organic acids, have the same effect.

Method 3 - using citric acid

Citric acid is not so aggressive, so it is also suitable for aluminum, plastic and enameled metal kettles. You can use either powder or fresh lemon.

The amount depends on the degree of contamination:

  • 1 tablespoon powder or a quarter of a medium lemon per 500 ml of water will remove the faint white residue in the kettle;

  • Twice as much required for a thicker layer of scale.

But citric acid will not dissolve large deposits that have already stuck to the walls.


The recipe is the same as for cleaning with vinegar: the acid is added to freshly boiled water, and after a couple of hours it is poured out along with the dissolved salts. Their softened remains will need to be removed with your own hands using a dish sponge.

Method 4 – using carbonated drinks

Sprite, Fanta, Coca-Cola and other carbonated drinks contain phosphoric acid, which can also remove scale from the kettle.

They are poured into an empty container, stirred to get rid of gases, and then brought to a boil.


When the liquid has cooled, the kettle can be washed.

Method 5 - using apple skins

This method will not help clean the kettle from heavy scale. It is rather preventive, used when plaque has just begun to settle on the walls. To get rid of it, just fill the peelings in a kettle with water, boil it and after an hour pour it out along with the skins.

In addition to apple skins, you can use pear skins or washed peelings from raw potatoes.


But this gentle method is suitable for cleaning ordinary teapots made of any material. If you use it regularly, you will not see scale in them at all.

Method 6 - using soda

Another effective one home remedy– baking soda or soda ash.


It is applied like this:

  • Before descaling from the kettle, you need to mix two tablespoons of powder with a liter of water;
  • Pour the solution into the kettle and she put it on fire;
  • When it boils, reduce the heat and leave the water to simmer gently for half an hour;
  • Then drain the solution, and rinse the dishes and boil in it clean water.

In general, after each remedy listed above, it is recommended not just to wash the kettle, but to boil clean water in it 1-2 times.

What to do with old plaque

If the scale is old and covers the surface with a thick layer, only special remedy or repeated use of the methods described above.


It is best to alternately apply vinegar, baking soda and citric acid using a higher concentration of cleaning solution.


Even if the scale does not come off on its own, it will become soft and loose, which will allow you to clean it off the walls.

Conclusion

I hope that listed methods kettle descaling will help you always keep your dishes clean. And those who wish can boast of particularly spectacular results in the comments.

The video in this article shows the cleaning process - you can see for yourself that these methods work.

Scale (salt sediment) disrupts the functioning of the electrical appliance, and white and red flakes end up in the cup along with boiled water. At first this layer is just a white coating, then it turns into stone, which is difficult to remove. I'll describe effective ways How to descale a kettle at home.


  • Warn your family not to use the device temporarily.
  • Fill the water to the middle of the container.
  • Add active ingredient.
  • Turn on the device.
  • Wait at least half an hour.
  • Wash the inside surface thoroughly.

To remove old fossilized plaque, use several methods at once or try again.

Traditional Effective Methods


The easiest way to clean an electrical appliance at home is with the help of improvised means:

  • Soda - softens salt deposits.
  • Acids - They even dissolve fossilized scale.
  • Brush and sponge- will not damage the surface of the kettle walls, like their metal counterparts.

So, the main sediment fighters are soda and citric acid.

Method 1: Cleaning with baking soda


Baking or soda ash will help restore cleanliness to any electrical appliances (plastic, metal, ceramic). There are 3 ways to descale a kettle with soda:

Image Description
Method 1 - with soda ash

Recipe for multilayer scale:

  • Fill the bowl with water.
  • Add powder at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 1 liter.
  • Boil and leave until cool.
  • Wash the kettle, removing any remaining sediment.
Method 2 - with baking soda and vinegar

Recipe for a small layer of salts:

    • Empty the kettle from water.
    • Prepare containers for vinegar and soda. Here, soda for descaling in a kettle works in combination with vinegar.
    • Wear rubber gloves.
  • Soak a sponge in vinegar and then dip in the powder.
  • Using your hands, rub it into the inner surface of the device.
  • Wash the electrical appliance.

Vinegar and soda, when combined, produce a reaction that destroys salt deposits.


Method 3 - powerful complex from soda ash and citric acid
  • Dissolve 1 tbsp in a liter of water. a spoonful of soda and 1 teaspoon of citric acid.
  • Pour the resulting solution into the device.
  • Next, boil and leave to cool.
  • Remove loose residues with a brush.
  • Wash the device thoroughly.

This method is not for plastic. Long-term contact with acid and alkali will destroy it. An aluminum kettle may also be damaged.

Method 2: using acids


Any old deposits can be easily removed by acids:

Acid Application

Vinegar

To clean metal, ceramic and glass electric kettles:

  1. Prepare the solution: ½ cup vinegar per 1 liter of water.
  2. Bring the solution to a boil.
  3. Leave for an hour to loosen the sediment.
  4. Wipe the device with a sponge, removing the remaining salt layer.
  5. Wash thoroughly.

The disadvantage of this method is bad smell in the kitchen from vinegar. Ventilate.


Two types of citric acid are used: powder and lemon.

Cleaning instructions:

  1. Dissolve a teaspoon of powder in 500 ml of water or cut the sour fruit into 4 parts.
  2. Turn on the electric kettle.
  3. The next half hour is the time for cooling and softening of the plaque.
  4. Clean up leftovers sponge
  5. Rinse.

The bonus of the method is a refreshing lemon aroma.


Cleaning a kettle from scale with oxalic acid:
  1. Pour the powder into the device, about half a glass.
  2. After 10 minutes, fill it with water.
  3. Boil.
  4. Wash thoroughly plenty of water.

For minor plaque, you can use fresh sorrel: boil a few leaves.


Lemonade contains phosphoric and citric acids, eliminating sediment:
  1. Shake carbonated drink.
  2. Pour into the kettle.
  3. Turn on device
  4. Leave to cool.

Organic acids of the peel an apple will descale an electric kettle:
  1. Peel the apple from the peel.
  2. Fold cleaning into the device.
  3. Fill with water and boil.
  4. Leave it overnight.

So safe natural remedy use once a week for prevention.

Method 3: combined (for a thick layer of scale)


After such a powerful attack, all the scale will come off. This is a two-step cleansing process:

  • Step 1: remove with soda and acid. Pour some soda into a saucer, add any acid from the table. Treat the entire coated surface with the resulting slurry. After 10 minutes, rinse.
  • Step 2: Remove scale and odors. Cut the lemon into slices and place in the electric kettle. Boil water with lemon and leave for half an hour. Wash the device to remove loose residues.

Various household chemicals for scale removal


Except traditional methods, you can clean an electric kettle using chemical products specially designed for this purpose.

Their main components:

  • Organic and mineral acids(citric, sulfamic, adipic).
  • Sodium tripolyphosphate- the main product from the processing of phosphoric acid in expensive products.
  • Soda.

These products also solve the problem of how to descale an enamel kettle. Available in liquid, powder or tablet form. Use strictly according to the instructions so as not to damage the equipment.

General scheme of how to get rid of scale special cleaners:

  • Prepare the solution.
  • Boil in a kettle.
  • Then pour it out.
  • Remove scale. Once softened, it can be easily removed.
  • Boil clean water 2-3 times to flush out any remaining chemicals.

Conclusion

We found out that the choice of ways to remove scale from an electric kettle is quite large. Home remedies are not inferior in effectiveness to industrial ones, tested! Check out the video in this article, and you can ask questions in the comments.

Scale forms on the walls of the kettle in any case, even if a system is installed in the apartment that will improve the quality of water, but it is impossible to completely remove the salts in the liquid in this way. Sooner or later, limescale will settle on the walls, which, in addition to looking unsightly, can harm the health of loved ones. This means it's time to think about how to descale your kettle. Today in our review we will look at the methods in detail. self-cleaning anti-scale kettle, we will also study exactly how each product works.

Plaque forms on the bottom and inner walls of the device, and in electric models – on heating element. Unfortunately, it is impossible to avoid this phenomenon; the plaque will settle to a greater or lesser extent, even if you use it. Plaque formation occurs due to the content in tap water salts, and the more there are, the more often plaque will appear on the walls. This problem cannot be ignored for several reasons:

  • for an electrical device this increases and leads to its rapid breakdown;
  • in ordinary kettles, plaque can destroy the walls;
  • salts are harmful to the body if they enter coffee, they thus penetrate inside and adversely affect the functioning of the kidneys and urinary system.

How to descale a kettle at home using traditional methods

We all remember the old adage that it is easier to prevent a problem than to correct its consequences. It’s the same with plaque - with regular cleaning, removing it is much faster and easier, and you won’t need to use it for this. We have selected the best home recipes on how to get rid of scale in an electric and regular kettle.

How to descale a kettle with citric acid

The most effective remedy- lemon acid. It can be used for both conventional and electric models. Before descaling a kettle with citric acid, you need to understand the principle of action of lemon juice. Limescale is an alkali that reacts with an acid. The procedure is as follows:

  1. Pour the lemon bag inside and pour plain water above the level of plaque formation.
  2. Bring to a boil and leave over low heat for a few minutes.
  3. The reaction is almost instantaneous, the plaque falls off in pieces from the inner walls.

For preventive purposes, a procedure such as cleaning the kettle with citric acid should be performed monthly. Folk remedy can quickly remove scale and other household appliances, For example, .


How to get rid of scale in a kettle using vinegar

Vinegar can be found in several recipes for cleaning plaque from walls. It is not advisable to use it for electrical appliances, however, if the case is advanced and there is no other way out, you can also use acid. Before descaling your kettle with vinegar, you need to choose one of the following recipes.

Recipe Description
Recipe 1
  • Pour 2 tbsp. l. essences, 1 liter of water, heat to 70°C.
  • Reduce heat and hold for another half hour.
Recipe 2
  • Dilute 150 g of 9% vinegar with 1 liter of water, pour the composition inside.
  • Boil for at least half an hour.
Recipe 3 (for an electrical appliance)
  • Pour 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.
  • Add 200 g table vinegar or 2 tbsp. l. essences.
  • Leave the mixture in the device for 20 minutes. If the coating does not come off, bring the liquid to a boil and wait another quarter of an hour.

In all recipes, the time indicated is approximate; the housewife should monitor the intensity of plaque detachment. After treating the inner walls with vinegar, wash everything thoroughly and boil fresh water 1-2 times to remove the odor. You can use vinegar.

How to descale a kettle using soda

Baking soda powder can be used to remove plaque on metal, enamel and electric models. The main advantage of using soda is that it removes old formations, but you need to be careful during processing, as it can leave scratches on the surface. Pour 2 tsp into a 3 liter device. with a heap of soda powder, add water and boil for half an hour. Afterwards, let the solution cool and wash the walls in the usual way. If necessary, repeat the procedure several times.


How to descale a kettle with carbonated drinks

Not everyone has a positive attitude towards soda, calling such drinks chemical. But since they are approved for use all over the world, they can certainly be used to clean the device at home. For example, Sprite effectively removes plaque; Fanta and Cola have similar cleaning properties, but they can stain the walls, so our editors excluded them. The procedure is as follows:

  1. Pour Sprite inside; the amount of drink should not exceed half the volume of the kettle.
  2. Bring to a boil, after which you need to wash everything thoroughly.

It is important! It is strictly forbidden to clean electrical appliances with carbonated drinks. This method only works for conventional devices.


How to descale a kettle using brine or oxalic acid

Cleaning with brine or oxalic acid is suitable for all types household appliances. The main advantage of this method is accessibility and financial savings. However, this method is not suitable for old and hardened plaque; in addition, cleaning with brine or oxalic acid will leave an odor inside for some time. You need to be prepared for this. To remove plaque using cleaning you will need:

  • 0.5 liters of brine;
  • boil the brine for 10-15 minutes;
  • Afterwards, drain the solution and wash the walls thoroughly. You can use baking soda to remove odors.

This is interesting! The marinade usually contains vinegar, which is why the cleaning result with its help has such an effect.

To clean plaque with oxalic acid, you should:

  • pour a small amount of the composition inside, add water;
  • bring to a boil and leave for a few minutes. After this, rinse well.

How to descale a kettle using apple or potato peelings

Home tips include another extraordinary recipe - removing plaque using apple or potato peelings. It is used for metal or enamel surfaces, and is also suitable for electrical appliances. The main advantages include accessibility and cost-effectiveness; in addition, this is also one of the most environmentally friendly methods. Unfortunately, cleaning is a poor help in removing ingrained plaque.

The principle of operation is explained simply. Apple peelings contain fruit acids organic origin, which react with an alkaline environment limescale. Potato peelings have an alkaline base, its action is similar to soda. The procedure is as follows:

  1. Place the peelings inside, add water and boil for 10-15 minutes.
  2. Drain the water and rinse the walls as usual.

Combined kettle cleaning with vinegar, baking soda and citric acid

The combined method for cleaning walls is heavy artillery to combat scale. However, due to its aggressiveness, this method is not suitable for electrical appliances.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

  1. Stir 1-2 tsp in 1 liter of water. soda, boil.
  2. Before descaling the kettle with citric acid, you need to pour out the previous composition, do all the steps again, but add 1 tbsp. l. lemons.
  3. Perform all steps again, but include an additional 100 g of table vinegar.

Such an algorithm should lead to positive result, the plaque remaining on the walls becomes loose in structure and is easily removed with a sponge.


Article

Scale appears due to the contents of poor quality water impurities. During boiling, they settle on the walls of the kettle and spoil the taste of hot drinks. Scale also conducts heat poorly, so a dirty kettle will take longer to boil.

How to clean a kettle with vinegar

The method is suitable for very dirty teapots made of plastic, glass, and stainless steel.

You will need:

  • ½ liter of water;
  • 1 glass of 9 percent vinegar or 2 tablespoons of 70 percent vinegar essence.

Heat water in a kettle, then pour in vinegar or vinegar essence and leave the solution for an hour. During this time, the scale will soften. Rinse the inside of the kettle with a sponge, boil clean water again and drain it.

How to clean a kettle with lemon or citric acid

The method is suitable for electric kettles made of stainless steel, plastic or glass with a moderate layer.

Not suitable for enamel and aluminum kettles.

You will need:

  • ½ liter of water;
  • ¼ lemon or 2 tablespoons of citric acid.

Heat water in a kettle and add a slice of lemon or citric acid to the boiling water. Leave the scale to soak for 1-2 hours. Wash the kettle with a sponge and rinse thoroughly. After the first boil, the water will need to be drained.

How to clean a kettle with soda

The method is suitable for any teapots.

You will need:

  • ½ liter of water;
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda.

Stir the baking soda thoroughly in a glass of water until it dissolves completely. Pour the resulting liquid into the kettle, add the remaining water and boil it. Wait half an hour or an hour and heat the kettle again.

Now you can wash the kettle and boil clean water in it. True, you will have to pour it out afterwards.

How to clean a kettle with soda water

The method is suitable for stainless steel kettles heated on a stove.

Not suitable for aluminum, enamel and electric kettles.

You will need a bottle of any lemonade. The most famous option is cola, but it is better to use a colorless drink (it is important that the composition contains citric acid).

Let the opened bottle of lemonade sit for 2-3 hours to allow the gas bubbles to disappear. Then it’s simple: pour the drink into the kettle and bring to a boil. Then wash and rinse everything thoroughly.

How to clean a kettle with a peel

The method is suitable for enameled and metal teapots with a weak layer of scale.

Not suitable for electric kettles.

You will need:

  • ½ liter of water;
  • skin of 2–3 apples or pears.

Rinse the cleaning from dirt and sand, put them in a kettle and fill with water. Boil the liquid and leave to steep for one to two hours. A light layer of scale will come off on its own, stubborn stains scrub with a dishwashing sponge. After rinsing, the kettle will shine like new.

If you have a particularly spacious kettle, and scale has accumulated on the walls, take more water than indicated in the recipes. The liquid should cover the dirt completely.

How to keep your kettle clean for a long time

  1. Fill the kettle with soft water. If you don't buy bottled, use a filter. Or at least let the tap water sit for several hours to allow impurities to precipitate.
  2. Boil water in a kettle no more than once. Better fill it with fresh one.
  3. Rinse the inside of the kettle at least once a day. And ideally before each use.
  4. For prevention, boil a filled kettle with one tablespoon of citric acid once a month.