How to effectively descale an electric kettle at home. How to clean the kettle from scale: we reveal all the secrets. The most effective and safest methods for removing scale from a kettle How to wash a kettle from scale
An electric kettle is a handy device that is often found on modern kitchens. It is made from different materials: plastics, ceramics, glass and of stainless steel. However, no matter how high-quality and high-tech it is, you will have to think about how to remove scale in an electric kettle.
The question is really difficult. clear Electric kettle at home, you need to be very careful, carefully choosing cleaning products: incorrectly selected, it can ruin the heating element, and you will have to take your favorite equipment to the trash.
Scale is insoluble salts (silicates, carbonates and sulfates of calcium and magnesium) that have pores. They harbor dangerous bacteria. Drinking water that has been heated in a dish with a thick layer of scale is very unhealthy. In addition, heat does not pass through it well, so the water will take longer to heat up, increasing energy consumption and overloading the heating element of the kettle. This leads to a quick breakdown of the device. That is why it is important to get rid of salt deposits.
Cleaning methods
There are two ways to descale an electric kettle:
- mechanical. You will need hard sponges and brushes that scrape off plaque. This method requires a lot of effort and time. Experts do not recommend using it, because cleaning tools leave scratches on the walls of the kettle, which creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of pathogens in them. It is difficult to remove all scale, especially with small items. However, if there is nothing else at hand, then use the mechanical method;
- chemical. Acid and alkali are needed: part of the salts lends itself to one substance, part to another. They are in almost every home - acetic, citric acid and soda. The mechanism of action is simple: these products decompose scale into constituent components that are easily washed off with water.
Chemicals: acids and soda will help to clean the kettle at home qualitatively and easily.
Now there are a lot of tips on how to remove scale. The main thing to remember is:
- Carefully choose a plaque remover: some of them are not suitable for a particular teapot material.
- Consider the degree of contamination. If the scale layer is thin, then boiling is not worth it. Pour into the kettle necessary solution and leave for a few hours. With a significant amount of deposits, you will have to boil, and the procedure will most likely need to be repeated.
- Warn loved ones about cleaning the electrical appliance so that no one accidentally gets poisoned.
- Before use chemical methods Scrub the sides of the teapot with a hard, non-metallic sponge for a few minutes. Skip this tip if you have a plastic appliance (its walls are easy to scratch).
- Do not fill the kettle completely, otherwise the water will pour out when boiling. Be guided by the marking of the displacement of the device. Usually there are allowed maximum and minimum values.
- Wash the kettle after cleaning is complete. Then boil it once or twice plain water and pour it out, thereby removing the remnants of the chemical and the smell (otherwise there is a risk of poisoning).
Removing salt deposits is a simple matter. But if you want a well-maintained electric kettle for long-term use, don't let it build up a thick layer of limescale.
Vinegar
You can clean the electric kettle with acetic acid, but this must be done carefully. Use 6 or 9% table vinegar. This method is used for electrical appliances made of plastic, glass and stainless steel, if there is a large amount of hardened scale inside the kettle. Try one of the recipes:
- Fill the kettle two-thirds full with water. Top up the rest with vinegar. The solution must be boiled. Leave it for a few hours to let the water cool down.
- Fill the kettle with water and vinegar in an approximate ratio of 2:1 (that is, you will need a little less than two glasses of acetic acid per liter of water). Boil water first. Then add vinegar and turn on the kettle. After turning off, leave it for an hour.
Instead of vinegar, you can use vinegar essence 70%: one glass is replaced by 1-2 tablespoons, respectively.
Ventilate the room after using vinegar to remove the pungent odor.
Lemon acid
Citric acid is a milder and more suitable way for electric kettles to remove salt deposits. With its help, it is difficult to get rid of hard old scale, but it is perfect for small dirt. Another plus of this method is its versatility: it is suitable for plastic, metal, ceramic and glass devices.
Powder is carefully poured into boiling water (it can hiss and splash out). citric acid. The ratio of ingredients: per liter - 1-2 teaspoons. The solution should be boiled for several minutes. Then leave it for a couple of hours.
Instead of citric acid powder, juice is sometimes added. Squeeze a quarter of a lemon into half a liter of water or simply put it in a kettle, waiting for the water to boil.
Soda
Scale in an electric kettle is removed with baking soda or soda ash. This is the most gentle method. It is suitable for any kettles. Use with caution on colored plastic utensils as stains may remain.
Pour baking soda into boiling water. You will need 2 tablespoons per liter. Let the solution boil for a few minutes, then leave for a couple of hours to cool completely.
Citric acid and soda
It is possible to effectively clean an electric kettle from plaque at home using the following procedure:
- Pour baking soda into a kettle of water. Boil it, then leave it for half an hour. Then drain.
- Pour water into the kettle and saturate the citric acid there. Then repeat the steps of the previous paragraph.
Special funds
You don’t have to think about which method to choose, how to use it and whether it will suit your kettle, because modern market household chemicals are replete with special means. The seller of such a store will tell you what to choose.+
Follow the instructions for use of household chemicals to effectively, efficiently and safely descale the electric kettle.
There are many on the web different recommendations However, not all of them are suitable for electric kettles. It is not recommended to use:
- cleaning (potato, apple and others);
- colored carbonated drinks. With caution, you can use colorless ones ("Sprite", "Schweppes"). The liquid should not contain gases, so leave the carbonated drink for several hours in an open container. Then pour it into the electric kettle and boil;
- a well-known method of triple exposure (soda, citric and acetic acid);
- brines.
Prevention
Even the hardest and oldest raid can be defeated, but it will take a lot of time and effort. It is better to remove a thin layer of scale: you will spend less effort and extend the life of your electrical equipment. For this:
- clean the electric kettle regularly, at least once a month;
- if hard water flows from your tap, you can use a filter;
- when choosing an electric kettle, give preference to those in which the heating coil is located inside the body, because it is quite difficult to clean it.
Lime scale inside your electric kettle can quickly disable the appliance and also harm your health. You can cope with it with acid or soda, which almost every housewife has. In addition, the household chemicals market offers a variety of special products.
Scale is formed due to the content of metal salts in tap water settling on the bottom and inner walls of ordinary kettles or electric heating element.
The use of tea or coffee, generously seasoned with mineral deposits, threatens with diseases of the kidneys, joints and bones.
A dense layer of scale leads to a long heating of water, and in electric kettles - to breakage of the heating coil.
The rate of plaque formation depends on the hardness of the water, but even filtration will not eliminate the need to periodically descale the kettle.
How to descale the kettle: the necessary tools
To rid the kettle of scale and extend its service life, you can use both special preparations from the household chemicals store and home remedies:
citric acid or lemons;
sweet soda;
brine from canned cucumbers or tomatoes;
peel of apples, pears or potatoes.
Soda softens limescale, and the rest of the products contain acids, which scale is afraid of. For cleaning, you will also need a soft brush, sponge or brush. Do not use metal washcloths that damage dishes to speed up the process.
How to descale the kettle: method 1 - traditional
The easiest way to remove scale from the kettle is with the help of improvised means that are in every kitchen: citric or acetic acid, soda, or a combination of both.
Vinegar cleaning
Manufacturers do not recommend cleaning electric, enameled and aluminum kettles with vinegar; the product is suitable for stainless steel dishes with old deposits.
With a small layer of lime, fill 2/3 of the kettle with water, and the remaining 1/3 with 9% vinegar. Bring the solution to a boil over low heat, remove the kettle from the heat and set it aside for 1-3 hours to loosen the scale. If the bottom and walls of the dishes are covered with a thick and dense crust of deposits, prepare a solution at the rate of ½ cup of vinegar per 1 liter of water, pour it into the kettle, put it on a small fire, wait for it to boil and boil for another 10-30 minutes - depending on the volume of the vessel.
After cooling, rinse the kettle thoroughly with a soft sponge, removing the remaining scale, boil it 1-2 times with clean water and rinse the container to get rid of traces of vinegar.
Cleansing with citric acid
A gentle tool will help get rid of scale on any kettle. To remove dense layers of lime, boil the kettle with an acid solution (10-15 g of 1 liter of water), turn it off immediately after boiling and cool it for 30-60 minutes - during this time the scale will dissolve or soften. Then drain the liquid, remove the remaining deposits with a sponge, boil a container of clean water and rinse thoroughly. If it was not possible to cope with chronic scale on the first attempt, repeat the procedure.
In order not to expose the kettle to boiling with acid, it is enough to clean it monthly without heating: dilute the acid with water, pour it into a container and drain the solution after a few hours - a small coating will disappear without a trace.
Soda cleaning
Ordinary baking soda or soda ash will help restore original cleanliness to any kettles, including electric ones.
Option 1. Fill the dishes with water, pour 1 tbsp. soda, boil and hold for half an hour on low heat. Cool, drain the solution and wash the kettle, then refill it with water and boil, removing the remaining soda. After that, rinse the container again.
Option 2. Pour 1-2 tbsp into the water boiling in the kettle. baking soda and immediately turn off the heat. After 1-2 hours, remove softened mineral deposits from the dishes, boil them with clean water and rinse again.
Cleaning old scale
Option 1. Moisten a sponge with vinegar, dip it in soda and rub the resulting slurry into surfaces covered with a layer of scale. When vinegar is combined with soda, a reaction will occur that destroys deposits; all that remains is to rinse and rinse the kettle. If the layers are thick, cleaning will need to be repeated.
Option 2. Suitable for the most neglected kettles with a thick layer of scale, but not applicable for electric kettles due to excessive aggressiveness. Cleansing is done in three steps:
1. Pour water into the container, pour 1 tbsp. l. soda, boil, set aside for 10-20 minutes, drain the solution.
2. Refill with water, add 1-2 tbsp. citric acid, boil the solution for half an hour over low heat, drain.
3. Pour water into the kettle again, add 1/2 cup of vinegar there, boil for another half an hour, drain the liquid.
Most of the scale after such a powerful attack will come off by itself, loose residues can be easily removed with a simple sponge. Then be sure to rinse the kettle, boil it 3-4 times clean water and rinse dishes.
How to descale the kettle: method 2 - “delicious”
Adherents of safe natural remedies will appreciate the method of descaling using potato, pear or apple peels containing organic acids. Cleanings need to be washed, put in a kettle, pour water and boil the liquid. After boiling, set aside the teapot with the peel for 1-2 hours, and then rinse the dishes well. The product is suitable for removing light scale deposits.
Cucumber or tomato pickle perfectly eliminates lime deposits due to the content of citric acid or vinegar. The brine must be poured into the kettle, boiled, cooled, washed and rinsed thoroughly to remove the smell of preservation. An additional bonus of the method is the removal of rust from the inner surface of the vessel.
Lemon fights well with scale. Sour fruit should be cut into quarters, put them in a kettle, pour water, put the dishes on a small fire and boil the solution for 10-15 minutes after boiling. If the scale is not softened enough, repeat the procedure, and then rinse the kettle and rinse big amount water.
For effective removal scale in the kettle, you can use sweet soda.
Open a bottle of drink to release gases, then pour 0.5-1 liter of liquid into the kettle, boil, let cool and rinse the container thoroughly. With a small layer of deposits, you can do without boiling - just fill the kettle with soda to dissolve the plaque, and wash it after a few hours. The cleaning effect is based on the content of citric and phosphoric acid in the drink. Choose a clear soda, such as 7UP, otherwise you will have to remove colored spots from Coca-Cola or Fanta from the surface of the dishes.
How to descale the kettle: method 3 - chemical
The destruction of scale with household chemicals is achieved by the citric, adipic or sulfamic acids included in their composition. Special funds are available in the form of liquids, powders or tablets, are applied according to the instructions. General scheme use - the solution with the cleaning agent is boiled in a kettle for 30-40 minutes, then drained. Softened scale is easily removed, and after cleaning, boil clean water 2-3 more times in the kettle to remove it. chemical substances.
Application efficiency store funds from scale is comparable to the action of vinegar and citric acid, but the latter are much more economical.
How to clean the kettle from scale and not spoil it
Even if the kettle is covered with a thick layer of plaque, do not scrape it with sharp objects, do not use hard brushes and metal washcloths for cleaning - such a cruel method greatly harms the dishes.
For gentle and effective descaling, wash the inside of the kettle well, and then use home remedies or chemicals to dissolve or loosen the lime coat. After cleaning, be sure to wash the kettle with a sponge or soft brush, boil water in it a couple of times and rinse the dishes again to avoid poisoning.
The frequency of descaling the kettle depends on the hardness of the water used, but try not to start the process - with each boil, the crust of plaque becomes more durable and thicker. Preventive care will help minimize its formation:
rinsing after each boil and washing the kettle daily with a sponge;
the use of filtered water, each time fresh - repeated boiling increases the precipitation of salts;
draining water from the kettle at night or during a long "downtime".
The choice of ways to clean the kettle from scale is quite large, and home remedies are as effective as store-bought ones. The main thing is not to forget to repeat the procedure regularly.
It takes ~2 minutes to read
In this article, we will tell you how to properly wash and remove limescale from the kettle at home using improvised means.
Scale in the kettle - a problem or not?
Boiling water is an integral part of our Everyday life. And each of us noticed that inside the dishes, which are often used for boiling, plaque forms and sediment appears. These are salts (calcium, magnesium) contained in any hard water, which decompose when heated and form an insoluble precipitate. The question arises - what does this threaten us with? Scale is harmful not only to health, but also to appliances, appliances and utensils in which the process of heating water takes place.
Health Hazard:
- Accumulation of salts in the joints;
- blockage of blood vessels;
- The formation of kidney stones.
As for the harm to appliances, appliances and utensils:
- Even a slight layer of scale reduces thermal conductivity, that is, hard water will take longer to heat up, more energy will be needed, whether it be electricity or gas.
- The formation of scale can lead to cracks in the metal, and cracks can lead to breakdown of equipment and devices.
How to clean limescale in a kettle at home with folk remedies
There are a lot of ways to get rid of this problem, we will tell you about all the options, even about Fanta, Sprite, apple and potato peelings.
A quick way - cleaning with citric acid
The most famous way to remove scale is citric acid. This product is in every home, but not everyone knows that with it you can get rid of scale, and not only kitchen utensils but also technology. It is absolutely safe and does an excellent job of removing scale.
The removal method is elementary:
IMPORTANT: Before using the kettle, boil water twice and drain.
Can you peel with lemon?
The next way to remove scale is lemon. This method is well suited for people who stick to using natural products. According to the principle of action, lemon and citric acid are similar, they contain acids that break down scale.
Instruction:
- Cut a whole lemon into small pieces;
- Pour into a bowl with scale, fill with water;
- Boil five minutes and leave to cool;
- After cooling, drain;
- We remove the remnants of scale with a sponge;
- If necessary, repeat the procedure;
- After the cleaning process, we rinse the dishes well and boil water without anything in order to get rid of the remnants of the smell and taste of lemon.
IMPORTANT!!! Lemon can only be used for dishes and ordinary teapots. For appliances (electric kettle, washing machine) is absolutely impossible, otherwise the lemon particles can clog the holes, which will lead to malfunctions.
How to wash with vinegar?
Next in line is the option of getting rid of the problem with the help of vinegar. Vinegar is an aggressive agent, so it is not recommended to use it. But he does a great job with scum. Recipe for use:
How to get rid of heavy scale with baking soda?
The simplest and safe way- clean with baking soda. Soda does not contain acids that harm both electric and conventional kettles with metal, enamel and glass coatings. To get rid of scale:
How to wash with a combination of vinegar, soda and citric acid - the best way
We have come to a cleaning method that leaves no chance for scale. This is a cocktail of vinegar + soda + citric acid. Such heavy artillery should be used in the most neglected cases.
We combine several methods into one:
Can limescale be removed with apple and potato peels?
Another popular way is with the help of potato and apple peels. The effect is not strong and it is recommended to use it with a small plaque. The method is suitable only for kitchen utensils and teapots.
Pickles as an option for dealing with scale in electric (metal and glass) kettles
There is also an option to wash the kettle using brines. It seems incredible, but this method is effective because the brine contains citric acid and vinegar.
The method is very simple:
How to remove scale in the kettle with carbonated drinks
Now let's tell you about non-standard application Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta and other carbonated drinks. Using this method is costly and inefficient, but whoever wants to experiment will make sure that the method is working. Any sweet sparkling water is suitable for use, but it is better to use colorless:
- Sprite;
- Seven up;
- Schweppes;
- And others.
The method is this:
Household chemicals to deal with scale
The use of household chemicals for cleaning is the fastest and most effective method but not secure. In household chemicals, substances harmful to humans are used. You can buy such chemicals in hardware stores. These funds are available in different forms:
- Powder;
- Granules;
- Pills.
The method of use is similar to all of the above:
Prevention
Unfortunately, it is impossible to prevent the appearance of scale. But it is possible to minimize its appearance, to do it simply:
- Filter water before boiling or use less hard water, such as commercially available;
- Do not leave water to settle after boiling;
- Do not boil water twice;
- Wash dishes well after each boil;
- Carry out preventive descaling once every two weeks.
No matter how you clean and filter the water, scale in the kettle is unlikely to be avoided. Due to scale, electric kettles break more often and fail faster. At the bottom of ordinary teapots (enamelled, glass or stainless steel), a mixture of limestone deposits with rust forms, which also shortens the life of the dishes. So how do you remove nicks in a teapot quickly and effectively? Let's figure it out.
The consequences of scale
Experts advise not to ignore the problem of scale. Due to the fact that the sediment has low thermal conductivity, it does not allow water to come into contact with steel, so the heating element in the electric kettle (steel spiral or disk) heats up and quickly becomes unusable.
Apart from frequent breakdown electric kettles and the destruction of the walls of ordinary ones, scale entering the human body with water, negatively affects the functioning of the kidneys and urinary system. According to some reports, scale can accumulate in the kidneys and lead to the formation of stones.
Vinegar
Cleaning with vinegar is the most effective and fast way descaling tool suitable for metal teapots. For 1 liter of water you will need 100 ml of food vinegar. Acetic solution must be poured into the kettle and put on fire. After the water boils, it is necessary to reduce the heat and let it boil for 10-15 minutes, the time depends on the degree of contamination of the kettle. Then you should wash and rinse the kettle well and boil it 1-2 times without using water for cooking.
Lemon acid
Citric acid will help remove scale from glass teapot. In 1 liter of water, you need to dilute 1-2 hours of citric acid, pour the resulting solution into a kettle and boil. If the scale layer is quite large, the procedure will need to be repeated. In a clean kettle, boil water 1-2 times and then rinse it well to remove acid residue.
Apple or potato peel
Such cleaning is suitable for preventive care, when the scale build-up is not too large. Washed potato or apple peels should be put in a kettle, pour water and bring to a boil. After that, remove the kettle from the heat and let stand with the solution for 1-2 hours. Then wash and rinse the kettle.
soda
Carbonated drinks - "Fanta", "Coca-Cola", "Sprite" well clean dishes from heavy scale and rust. First, open a bottle of drink and let it stand to release the gas. Then pour the soda into the kettle and bring to a boil. Let the kettle cool down, wash it thoroughly and boil it with clean water. It is better not to use this cleaning method for electric kettles, but it is ideal for ordinary dishes.
Soda
For metal and enameled teapots you can use soda cleaning. Fill the kettle with water and add 1 tbsp. l. soda, bring to a boil and simmer for 25-40 minutes, depending on the degree of contamination. Wash the kettle, boil water in it several times and rinse well to wash off any remaining baking soda.
Brine
Pickle from under cucumbers or tomatoes perfectly removes scale and rust from iron. The cleaning process is quite simple: the brine must be poured into the kettle, boiled over low heat for 20-30 minutes. Then you need to thoroughly wash the kettle, boil it with clean water and rinse thoroughly.
A solution of soda, vinegar and citric acid
Such cleaning will help to cope with especially difficult and neglected cases. But to apply this method very often and without real need is not worth it. Fill the kettle with water and add 1 tbsp. l. baking soda. Boil for at least 5 minutes and drain the water. Fill the kettle with a solution of citric acid (1 tbsp per kettle), simmer for 30 minutes and drain the water. Once again, heat the kettle with the vinegar solution (250 ml of vinegar per kettle) for at least 30 minutes. After such cleaning, the scale, even if it does not completely come off by itself, will become loose, and you can remove it with a foam sponge.
Scale prevention
To minimize descaling and keep the kettle in working condition for a long time, follow a few simple rules:
- Rinse the kettle daily, cleaning it from a small amount of plaque with a sponge;
- use purified and, if necessary, softened water for boiling (use a water filter);
- after boiling, drain the remaining water from the kettle, especially do not leave the water overnight;
- do not wait for a lot of scale to form and its layer becomes thick and hard, the smaller the sediment, the easier it is to remove.
Following these simple advice and using simple methods cleansing, you can remove the scale in the kettle without spending a lot of time and money for this.
In any kettle, conventional or electric, scale appears sooner or later. A grayish-brownish coating is nothing more than the deposition of salts that are present in the water. You can get rid of limescale different ways- choose to your liking.
Stores that sell household appliances sell various means for descaling. They must be used strictly following the instructions provided. Scale can be removed from the kettle with folk methods. Whatever salts are present in the water, they all dissolve with the help of an acidic environment. So scale must be removed using a variety of acid-containing preparations. Boil water in a kettle and after turning it off immediately pour 2 tablespoons of dry citric acid. Let the water cool, and if not all of the scale has gone, repeat the procedure.
- First you need to boil water with two tablespoons of soda per liter of water. Let the filled kettle stand for one hour.
- After draining the water with soda, fill the kettle with clean water and add vinegar essence (3 tablespoons per 1 liter). Boil and leave the kettle until the water has cooled completely.
- Further, the softened scale can be removed with a wooden flat stick.
Whatever method you use to get rid of scale, the kettle must then be boiled several times with clean water. So that in the future the scale does not settle so much on the walls of the kettle, pour water into it that has passed through a household water filter.
