UK households can remove limescale from their kettle with one kitchen item that costs just 50p.
The kettle is one of the most-used kitchen appliances in most homes, being switched on multiple times every day to make cups of tea and coffee, as well as coming into use at meal times for things like gravy, noodles and pasta.
Because of its frequent use, over time you may start to notice a build-up of limescale – a hard, chalky substance that consists mainly of calcium carbonate – inside it. How quickly limescale forms can depend on how hard the water is in your area and how often you clean your kettle.
As well as being unsightly, limescale build-up can shorten the lifespan of your kettle, damage the heating components and increase your energy consumption, meaning pricier bills. If left untreated it can also have an impact on the taste of your tea and coffee.
But instead of paying for a fancy kettle descaler to rid your kettle of limescale, plumbing experts say a simple 50p kitchen item can clean your kettle just as well – if not better.
Specialists at Plumbworld say you don’t need expensive chemicals to banish limescale. You simply need to use white vinegar, which costs less than £1 at most supermarkets. By comparison, some branded descalers can set you back between £10 and £15 per treatment.
White vinegar contains acetic acid which breaks down limescale naturally without the need for harsh chemicals. It also has the added benefit of rinsing out cleanly, unlike chemical solutions that can leave behind artificial residues, and vinegar is non-toxic and biodegradable.
Experts at Plumbworld explain: “Ignoring limescale isn’t just bad for your kettle – it can hit your wallet in unexpected ways:
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Higher energy bills – A kettle with limescale takes longer to heat up, wasting electricity.
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Appliance damage – Over time, scale buildup can clog heating elements, leading to costly repairs or replacements.
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Poor-tasting tea and coffee – Limescale particles can make your drinks taste metallic or chalky.
“Limescale buildup can shorten your kettle’s lifespan and increase energy consumption. White vinegar is a simple yet powerful solution that removes scale just as effectively as commercial descalers—at a fraction of the price.
“It’s cheap, easy, and just as effective—making it a game-changer for budget-conscious households looking for a simple yet powerful solution.”
To clean your kettle with white vinegar, simply mix equal parts white vinegar and water until the kettle is half full, then boil the solution.
Once it’s boiled, let the solution sit in the kettle for 30-60 minutes to dissolve the limescale.
For stubborn deposits, you may need to use a sponge or brush to gently scrub away any remaining residue.
Once this is done, empty the solution from your kettle and rinse it multiple times with fresh water to remove any vinegar scent. Then to ensure there’s no lingering taste, boil fresh water once or twice before using your kettle again
