The Brits are a nation of tea drinkers. In fact, we drink 100 million cups per day. Putting on the kettle for a cuppa is a national ritual. But nothing ruins that special moment like a kettle clogged up with limescale – which can ruin the flavour of your brew and make your kettle less efficient. And it’s not just kettles that are suffering.
Since coffee is getting just as popular (at 98 million cups per day) coffee machines are getting clogged up with limescale too. In fact, any kitchen appliance that gets filled with unfiltered tap water will need descaling.
That’s why we’re riding to the rescue with our guide to removing limescale. But first, the basics...
What is limescale exactly?
Limescale (also known as calcium carbonate) is the milky residue that is left behind after boiling water. And it’s tough stuff, which makes it difficult to remove. The good news is that it’s not harmful for you, but it can cause damage to your appliances over time. It can build up on heating elements and internal components, obstruct water flow and reduce heating efficiency. Plus, it can cause corrosion. So it shouldn’t be ignored.
How do you dissolve limescale?
Limescale is best dissolved with a mild acid. This could be an off-the-shelf cleaner or acids you’d find in most kitchens – whether that’s lemon juice, vinegar or lime juice. The key thing is to make sure that the acid stays in contact with the limescale for an hour or more. That gives the acid time to break down that stubborn calcium carbonate.
How to descale kettles and coffee machines: a step by step guide
You can choose between a kettle-cleaning product or a more natural cleaning method. Either should work fine and leave you with a clean and shiny kettle or coffee maker for better tasting tea or coffee.
How to dissolve limescale with a kettle-cleaning product
Dilute the kettle cleaner with water (as per instructions) and pour into your kettle.
Boil the kettle.
Leave the kettle to allow for the product to go to work on the limescale.
Rinse and treat yourself to a victory cuppa!
Can I descale with vinegar?
You certainly can! It may sound like a bad idea to be putting vinegar in your kettle – but it is actually pretty effective. Just be sure to follow these steps:
Fill the kettle three-quarters full with equal parts water and white vinegar.
Boil the kettle and allow it to cool.
Pour out the water and rinse out thoroughly a few times.
Boil again with just water and tip it away to remove any aftertaste.
If you don’t have vinegar, try using lemon juice. Alternatively, you can try using a few spoons of baking soda.
How to prevent limescale in your kettle
Since prevention is better than the cure, there are steps you can take to stop the dreaded build up of limescale.
Descale your kettle once a month to stop build up using the above methods.
Use a water filter to remove the limescale-causing hard water.
Use a kettle descaler ball. Just pop it in your kettle and it’ll stop the build up of limescale. You’ll just need to give it an occasional rinse.
Buy a kettle with a limescale filter to keep your tea free of impurities.
How to descale your coffee machine
Use one of the solutions above and pour it into the water tank or jug of your coffee machine.
Set your coffee machine on a standard brewing cycle so that the descaler can flow through all parts of the coffee machine.
Halfway through the cycle, turn the machine off and leave it for an hour.
Now rinse out the machine by repeating step 2 with clean water. Repeat a couple of times to make sure the descaler is properly flushed out.
If your kettle or coffee machine is past the point of no return or you’re looking to upgrade your teatime, check out our Coffee Machine Buying Guide.
Best natural descalers for kettles and coffee machines
If you're looking for natural solutions to descale your kettles and coffee machines, look no further than your kitchen! White vinegar and lemon juice are fantastic natural descalers. Both are acidic, which helps break down the calcium carbonate that forms limescale. To use vinegar, simply fill your kettle or coffee machine with a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar, let it run through a cycle or boil, and then rinse thoroughly. For lemon juice, you can use freshly squeezed juice or bottled concentrate, mixed with water in the same way. These methods are not only effective but also budget-friendly and a good alternative to harsh chemicals - making them great choices for maintaining your appliances.
Top-rated kettle descaler products and tools
Natural descalers are great for regular use. But what if you have a particularly bad build up? For those times when natural solutions just won't cut it, there are plenty of commercial descaling products designed to tackle even the toughest limescale deposits. Some top-rated options include:
Delonghi EcoDecalk Descaler
Keep your coffee machine clean with the EcoDecalk Descaler. It removes limescale, keeping your coffee machine working and making better-tasting drinks. Easy to use and compatible with all coffee machines, it’s made from 100% lactic acid and packaged in recyclable materials, protecting both your machine and cutting down on waste.
WPRO Coffee Machine & Kettle Liquid Descaler
Wpro descaler effectively removes limescale deposits from your kettle and espresso machine. It’s compatible with all brands, so you can use it to clean and maintain any coffee machine and kettle. By using its chlorine-free descaler, you can eliminate build-ups and keep your coffee high-quality.
SIEMENS EQ Bean to Cup Descaling Tablets
If you own a Siemens EQ Bean to Cup coffee machine, these Siemens descaling tablets will help keep it in perfect condition. The 2-in-1 formula removes limescale and keeps it running like a dream. All you need to do is pop a tablet in and let the automatic program do the rest.
How often should you descale your small kitchen appliances?
This depends on how often you use them and the hardness of your water. But a general rule of thumb:
Kettles - Descale every 4 to 6 weeks if you use your kettle daily, or at least once every few months for less frequent use.
Coffee machines - To keep it at its best, descale your coffee machine every 1 to 2 months - especially if you use it daily.
Regular descaling not only helps maintain the efficiency of your appliances but also ensures they last longer, saving you money and hassle in the long run. By keeping up with this simple maintenance task, you can enjoy better-tasting coffee, faster boiling times and fewer issues with your appliances.
