Health 02/05/2017
Dear readers, every housewife always monitors cleanliness in her kitchen. There is always enough to worry about here. Today we will discuss important point, which cannot be missed - we will clean our teapots. How often do we open the lid and look and see what’s going on there? And even if you have wonderful filters installed and use purified water, these problems still arise from time to time.
I propose to talk about how to safely, effectively and quickly descale a kettle at home using products that are found in every home. To begin with, I propose to discuss why we all need to pay special attention to this.
Why you need to get rid of scale
I am sure that when we see plaque on our dishes, each of us understands that it is not good and tries to get rid of it. It is not always possible to get the desired result the first time. Yes, and purchased products that are used to combat scale can harm our health no less than the scale itself. Therefore, today we will look at safe ways to clean a kettle, which are also inexpensive.
What is scale and why is it harmful? Most of us use running water to make tea or coffee, which can be hard due to the concentration of salts in it. When water is heated, salts decompose into carbon dioxide and a sediment that does not dissolve but is deposited on the walls of the dish. Over time, a decent layer of plaque forms.
If the dishes are not cleaned on time, it will take longer to heat the water in them. The reason for this is plaque. It settles on the material from which the dishes are made, and due to this, its thermal conductivity is lost.
Plaque in the kettle consists of salts, insoluble metals and harmful impurities. If they enter the body regularly over many years, a person may develop gout, osteochondrosis, and stones in the urinary system. In a word, all this affects our health.
How often should we clean our kettles?
It is enough to carry out such cleaning once a month. The simplest thing will help us prevent the appearance of plaque: lemon acid. To do this, it is enough to boil a kettle completely filled with water with a tablespoon of citric acid once a month (if the water is of medium hardness and once every two weeks if the water is hard).
How to descale a kettle quickly and effectively
There are many ways to clean a kettle from deposits at home. But are they effective? Today we will look at several of them, we will figure out which ones are suitable for electric kettles and which ones are suitable for ordinary ones. What are the pros and cons of each method?
Cleaning the kettle with citric acid
Fits for simple and electric kettles made of stainless steel or glass
It is forbidden
pros: an effective and economical way.
Minuses: Citric acid can only be used when you need to clean a small amount of scale.
How to descale a kettle with citric acid? To do this, fill the kettle 2/3 full. cold water and add citric acid at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water. Boil water with citric acid and wait until it cools. This may take about 2 hours. Pour out the cooled water. If the plaque is not old and has not yet become embedded in the surface, it will disappear on its own. Otherwise, you need to make more efforts - rub the places where plaque remains with a soft sponge, and, if necessary, repeat the procedure.
After the kettle shines clean again, fill it with water, boil it and pour it out, then wash it thoroughly. I myself do this procedure usually 2-3 times. Now you can fill it with fresh water, boil it and brew your favorite drink.
Be careful. Do not pour citric acid into hot water, because a reaction may follow (the acid will begin to hiss and foam).
How to descale a kettle using lemon?
Fits for simple and electric kettles made of stainless steel or glass.
It is forbidden use for metal, enamel teapots.
pros: removes plaque of any degree, has a gentle effect on the surface of the dishes.
Minuses: only if you feel sorry for lemon for such a procedure.
How to descale a kettle using lemon? Cut the lemon into small slices and place in a kettle, fill it 2/3 with water and put on fire. When the water boils, you can reduce the heat and “boil” the lemon for half an hour, let it brew until it cools completely. Then the water is drained and the remaining scale is removed with a soft sponge. In my opinion, one of the most enjoyable ways to clean a kettle.
Cleaning the kettle with vinegar
Fits for metal teapots.
It is forbidden use for electric kettles.
pros: effective and simple way.
Minuses: bad smell, to remove old scale, the procedure will need to be carried out several times.
How to descale a kettle using vinegar? Pour 2/3 of water into it, as in the previous case, and table vinegar at the rate of 0.5 cups per liter of water. You can replace vinegar with vinegar essence. You need to take less of it, at a rate of 3 teaspoons per liter of water. Boil water, let it sit for an hour and drain it.
Old plaque will not come off on its own, so be prepared to rub some areas with a soft sponge. After the dishes are cleaned, fill them with clean water and boil it. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times.
When boiling water with vinegar, you may encounter an unpleasant odor. Therefore, if you decide to use this method, make sure that the room is well ventilated.
Soda for cleaning the kettle
Fits for regular, enameled and electric kettles.
pros: safe, affordable, very cheap way, with which you can get rid of old scale.
Minuses: can lead to scratches on the surface; in order to get rid of stubborn scale, you will need to carry out the procedure several times.
How to remove scale from a kettle using soda? Fill half a kettle of water, add a tablespoon of soda, and put on fire. When the water boils, reduce the heat and let the water simmer for 20-30 minutes. Turn off the kettle and wait until the water has cooled, then drain it and wash the inside of the kettle well.
Clean the kettle with vinegar and soda
Fits for metal and enamel teapots.
It is forbidden used for electric kettles.
pros: accessibility, simplicity and efficiency.>
Minuses: unpleasant smell.
How to descale a kettle with vinegar and soda? Fill the kettle 2/3 with water, add soda at the rate of 1 tablespoon per liter of water. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Pour out the boiled water and add new water, but now add 0.5 cups of vinegar to it per liter of water, and bring to a boil again and boil for half an hour.
After draining the water, go over the areas where plaque remains with a soft sponge, if necessary. Then rinse the dishes well.
Vinegar, soda and citric acid
Fits for all types of kettles, except electric ones.
pros: gets rid of old, stubborn plaque.
Minuses: time consuming, unpleasant odor.
If the kettle is not electric, then, in my opinion, this is the most effective way to combat scale. But it is better not to run the kettle to such an extent that you have to resort to it. In order to clean the kettle, you will need to boil water in it three times for 30 minutes. The first time - with a tablespoon of soda, the second time - with a tablespoon of citric acid, the third time - with half a glass of vinegar. For each case, water should fill the container 2/3 full.
Using soda, citric acid and vinegar can remove scale of any degree. If there is a small amount of it left on the walls of the dish, you need to rub the area with a soft sponge. But it is better to avoid using hard metal brushes so as not to damage the surface of the dishes.
How to descale a kettle using Coca-Cola, Fanta or Sprite?
Fits for all types of kettles, except electric ones. Caution must also be taken when cleaning enamel models. The fact is that most drinks contain dyes that can penetrate into the surface of the dishes and ruin them.
pros: an effective, affordable method.
Minuses: not suitable for all teapots; dyes may stick to the surface of the dishes.
I think that no one will be surprised by the fact that the drinks that children and adults love to drink are used to clean dishes from scale. I'll deviate a little from the topic, but have you thought about what is contained in these drinks, if they are able to clean plaque, which is not always possible to get rid of with the help of substances with an aggressive composition? I hope that most of us wise people. They don’t buy these drinks, much less give them to children.
They contain citric acid, so these drinks can be used to get rid of plaque.
How to descale a kettle with Coca-Cola, Fanta or Sprite? To do this, fill the kettle halfway with one of the listed drinks and put it on the fire. Wait until the liquid boils, turn off the kettle and set it aside for 20 minutes, then pour out the contents and rinse it with water.
Apple or potato peelings
Fits for enameled and metal, electric kettles.
pros: availability.
Minuses: does not help get rid of old plaque.
How to remove solid deposits of salts in a kettle using apple or potato peelings and is this possible? Apple and potato peels contain acids that can be used to clean dishes from plaque. However, in the case of old scale, this method will be ineffective.
If you notice traces of plaque that have just begun to appear on the dishes, place washed apple or potato peelings and fill them with water. Boil water and leave it in the bowl for 2 hours. Drain the cooled water and discard the cleaning material. If necessary, wipe the inside of the dishes with a soft sponge and rinse well.
Cucumber pickle and tomato
Fits for all types of teapots.
pros: available remedy.
Minuses: unpleasant odor after heating the brine.
It turns out that there are people who use our pickle to remove scale from the kettle. To be honest, I would never use this method myself. But some may like it for its accessibility and waste-free nature. Well, we all react differently to smells.
You need to use a brine that contains citric acid or vinegar, so remember the canning recipe, and if you purchased the preserved food in a store, look at the label. Acid and vinegar do an excellent job of removing plaque and rust that appears from iron salts.
How to get rid of scale in a kettle? Fill the dish halfway with brine, bring it to a boil, wait until it cools, and drain. Clean the dishes with a soft sponge and wash well.
And now I suggest watching a video on how to descale a kettle at home.
I don't like chemicals, so I use natural products whenever possible. Of all the above methods for descaling, I most often use lemon or citric acid and soda. I chose them for myself because they are always at hand, remove plaque well and are safe for health.
Chemical descaling agents
Despite the safety and accessibility natural remedies, it is impossible to ignore the chemical ones, which housewives quite often use. And it's worth noting that they are also very effective.
Among the most effective and affordable chemicals we can highlight “Cinderella” and “Antinakipin”. Their use is not much different from the natural remedies discussed earlier. They also need to be added to water according to the instructions, boiled, allowed to cool and rinsed well.
How to prevent scale formation
In order for making tea or coffee to bring only pleasure, and not thoughts about how to clean the kettle of scale, let's figure out how to prevent its occurrence. This can be done if you follow some recommendations:
- Avoid using tap water, or at least use water that has settled. Running water is very hard. If possible, install a filter that will soften it. It’s good if you use spring or melt water (or buy bottled);
- Pour into the kettle as much water as you need for one time. There is no need to re-boil the water, replace it with fresh water;
- Rinse dishes every time after or before boiling water. This will allow you to get rid of plaque as it appears.
Now we know how to clean a kettle from scale and prevent its appearance. I am sure that each of you will choose for yourself the appropriate way to combat plaque, which not only spoils the appearance of your favorite dishes, but can also harm our body.
Dear readers, what methods do you use to remove scale? I would be glad if you share this in the comments.
Takes ~2 minutes to read
In this article we will tell you how to properly wash and remove limescale from a kettle at home using improvised means.
Limescale in a kettle - a problem or not?
Boiling water is an integral part of our Everyday life. And each of us has 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 disintegrate when heated and form an insoluble precipitate. The question arises: what does this threaten us with? Scale harms not only your health, but also the devices, equipment and utensils in which the water heating process occurs.
Health Hazards:
- Accumulation of salts in joints;
- Blockage of blood vessels;
- Formation of kidney stones.
Regarding damage to devices, equipment and utensils:
- Even a slight layer of scale reduces thermal conductivity, that is, heating hard water will take longer and more energy will be needed, be it electricity or gas.
- The formation of scale can lead to cracks in the metal, and cracks can lead to breakdowns of equipment and devices.
How to clean limescale in a kettle at home using folk remedies
There are a lot of ways to get rid of this problem, we will tell you about all the options, even such as Fanta, Sprite, apple and potato peelings.
A quick way - cleaning with citric acid
Most known method descaling - citric acid. This product is in every home, but not everyone knows that it can be used to get rid of scale, not only from kitchen utensils, but also from appliances. It is absolutely safe and does an excellent job of removing scale.
The removal method is elementary:
IMPORTANT: before using the kettle, you need to boil the water twice and drain it.
Can you peel with lemon?
The next way to remove scale is with lemon. This method works well for people who stick to using natural products. The principle of action of lemon and citric acid is similar; they contain acids that break down scale.
Instructions:
- Cut the whole lemon into small pieces;
- Pour into a bowl with scale, fill with water;
- Boil for five minutes and leave to cool;
- After cooling, drain;
- Remove any remaining scale with a sponge;
- If necessary, repeat the procedure;
- After the cleaning process, rinse the dishes well and boil water without anything to get rid of any remaining lemon smell and taste.
IMPORTANT!!! Lemon can only be used for dishes and ordinary teapots. For appliances (electric kettle, washing machine) it is strictly forbidden, otherwise lemon particles may clog the holes, which will lead to malfunctions.
How to clean with vinegar?
The next option is to get rid of the problem using vinegar. Vinegar is an aggressive agent, so its use is not recommended. But it copes with scale perfectly. Recipe for use:
How to get rid of severe scale using soda?
The simplest and safe way– clean with baking soda. Soda does not contain acids that harm both electric and regular kettles with metal, enamel and glass coating. To get rid of scale:
How to wash with a combination of vinegar, soda and citric acid - the best way
We've come to a cleaning method that doesn't give scale a chance. This is a cocktail of vinegar + soda + citric acid. Such heavy artillery should be used in the most advanced cases.
We combine several methods into one:
Is it possible to remove limescale with apple and potato peelings?
Another popular method is using potato and apple peelings. The effect is not strong and it is recommended to use it with a small plaque. This method is only suitable for kitchen utensils and teapots.
Brines as an option to combat 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 descale a kettle with carbonated drinks
Now we will tell you about the non-standard use of Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta and other carbonated drinks. Using this method is expensive and ineffective, but anyone who wants to experiment will be convinced that the method works. Any sweet carbonated water is suitable for use, but it is better to use colorless:
- Sprite;
- Seven ap;
- Schweppes;
- And others.
The method is:
Household chemicals to combat scale
Using household chemicals for cleaning is the fastest and most effective way, but not the safest. Household chemicals use substances that are harmful to humans. You can buy such chemicals in hardware stores. These products are available in different forms:
- Powder;
- Granules;
- Pills.
The method of use is similar to all described above:
Prevention
Unfortunately, it is impossible to prevent the appearance of scale. But it is possible to reduce its occurrence to a minimum; this is easy to do:
- Filter water before boiling or use less hard water, such as store-bought water;
- Do not leave the water to settle after boiling;
- Do not boil water twice;
- Wash dishes well after each boil;
- Carry out preventative descaling once every two weeks.
In any kettle, electric or metal, scale appears over time. It accumulates most quickly from hard water, rich in magnesium and calcium salts. In this case, it is recommended to clean the boiling water utensils weekly. Today the editors of the site decided to draw the attention of their readers to this problem. In this publication we will talk about the seven best and proven ways to descale a kettle using traditional methods, as well as using chemicals.
Read in the article
Dangers of scale formation in a kettle
If you do not use store-bought drinking water for boiling, the scale problem will sooner or later arise. After all, any tap water, even cleaned by a filter, contains a certain amount of metals and salts. When heated, substances react and precipitate, which settles in the form white plaque on the walls.
A comment
Designer of the studio "Cozy House"
Ask a Question« If it is blue, then it contains a lot of copper or brass salt. If it’s red, closer to red, it’s iron, and if it’s brown, then your water is rich in manganese.”
There are three main dangers that a person who neglects to regularly clean the kettle may encounter:
- Breaking household appliance. Frequent failure of the heating element in the kettle or the walls and bottom of metal utensils for heating.
- Long heating time. It is known that every millimeter of scale increases the energy consumption of the kettle by 10%. When boiling water, it comes into contact not with metal, but with a layer of rust and fat. In an electrical appliance, the heating element and plastic overheat; in a metal appliance, the walls heat up unevenly; when boiling, rust particles get into the water.
- Accumulation of salts in the body. The plaque forms a kind of film under which bacteria develop and destroy the metal. Small particles of rust and overheating enter the body along with water and gradually accumulate inside. In the future, this may affect the functioning of the kidneys and urinary system.
How to descale a kettle
Agree before you buy strong chemical compositions, which the market abounds in, each of us wants to try something that is effective, and also cheap and cheerful. Traditional methods anti-scale products meet all these requirements. And let's start, perhaps, with the very popular method− descaling the kettle with citric acid. Probably, among the readers of our online magazine there is not a single one who has not heard of this remedy. However, hearing does not mean using it. That's why we've prepared simple step-by-step instructions that will make this process as fast and efficient as possible.
Method 1. How to descale a kettle with citric acid
This method is most often used for cleaning electric kettle, since vinegar (another grandmother’s remedy) can simply corrode the plastic. This method is great for light stains and, if necessary, to “refresh” the plastic on the kettle body.
For the cleaning process we will need:
- A couple of tablespoons of citric acid (or the juice of half a lemon).
- 500 ml cold water.
The cleaning process is very simple. First you need to boil the water. After the kettle has boiled, pour in the citric acid (the water will hiss). Leave the kettle in this state for a couple of hours until the water cools down.
Important! Make sure that at the time of cleansing, no one in the household drinks water from the kettle with acid. Despite the fact that the product itself is safe, however, rust and plaque coming off the walls and heating device can be dangerous for internal organs.
Actually, procedures with citric acid can also be preventive. It is not necessary to wait for sediment or plaque to appear; you can simply periodically pour warm water into the kettle and pour a spoonful of citric acid into it. The exposure time is the same, but boiling is not required. Such simple steps will help keep your kettle in excellent condition for several years.
Method 2. How to get rid of scale in a kettle using vinegar
Vinegar is one of the most aggressive non-chemical methods for cleaning a boiler; it is only suitable for metal utensils. However, it is the fastest and most effective.
In this case, you first need to prepare a solution in the ratio of 50 ml of vinegar to 500 ml of water. The solution is poured into our kettle, which must be put on fire. During the boiling process, the vinegar will gradually begin to corrode the plaque. If boiling is not enough, you need to wait for the device to cool completely, then wash the kettle with a hard sponge and baby soap to remove any remaining vinegar.
Method 3. How to remove scale from a kettle using soda
We will separately consider the sequence of actions for electric and enamel kettles. For aluminum or any other metal utensils, the following recipe is suitable: dissolve one tablespoon of soda in a kettle with water. We boil over high heat, and then reduce it and let our mixture simmer for another half hour. This is often enough to remove plaque from the walls and bottom of the dish.
For electric kettles, the procedure should also not cause difficulties. The procedure is the same as for descaling a kettle with citric acid. The cooling process alone takes more than 2 hours. You don’t have to boil the kettle, but dissolve the baking soda in warm water and wait for at least an hour. In this case, even if not all of the sediment comes off, it will be much easier to clean it with a sponge.
A comment
Designer of the studio "Cozy House"
Ask a Question« To achieve maximum effect, it is better to use soda ash rather than baking soda.”
Method 4. When all else fails: a special recipe for cleaning the kettle with citric acid, soda and vinegar
In this case, it is very important to follow the sequence of steps. The secret is in the order in which you use each product. The first stage is cleaning with soda (we described how to do this above). Next, pour water into the kettle again, dissolve the citric acid, in this case there is no need to boil the water, just heat it over low heat. Drain the water again. Now it's time for the vinegar. In this case, boiling is necessary. Half a glass of 9% vinegar is added to the water solution, and the solution is brought to a boil. In this case, you will be guaranteed cleanliness of the walls and bottom of the kettle.
Method 5. How to descale a kettle using carbonated drinks
This is because, despite many myths regarding the acidic properties of this popular sparkling water, there is salt in it, or rather acid... already known to us, citric. Yes, it is thanks to this powder that the drink receives such miraculous properties: it cleanses scale and plaque, and by the way, it also affects tooth enamel.
But let's return to our... teapots. In order not to look exactly like this in the eyes of our dear readers, we decided to conduct a visual experiment and find out whether this method is so effective. So, step-by-step instruction descaling your kettle using a well-known brand of carbonated drink.
| Illustration | Description of action |
 | We take an ordinary plastic kettle. For the purity of the experiment, we took from clear glass so that the result can be seen. As you can see, scale is present. |
 | We will need the actual bottle of Coca-Cola (some recommend degassing it first). We didn't. And the teapot itself. |
 | Pour soda into the kettle. |
 | Turn it on and bring it to a boil. |
 | After the kettle has cooled, drain the liquid. And here is the result - the kettle is practically new. |
Let's add that this method Suitable for cleaning glass, metal utensils and electric kettles, excluding only tin and enamel utensils.
For your information! Coloring sodas, such as Sprite and Coca-Cola, also effectively clean car carburetors from rust and burnt gases. So, if you have car enthusiasts in your house, it’s better to leave them half a bottle.
Method 6. How to descale a kettle using apple or potato peelings
What we need: potato and apple peelings (a lot). The procedure is reminiscent of steaming apples, only here vegetable and fruit waste is used. The peelings are placed on the bottom of the kettle and steamed with boiling water or cold water. Boil the mixture well. After boiling for half an hour, we leave our “gruel” to cool. After about an hour and a half, you can wash the dishes with a regular sponge.
Method 7. How to descale a kettle using brine or oxalic acid
Both methods are based on the fact that both brine and sorrel contain a considerable dose of acid. In the first case, already known to us, lemon, and in the second - oxalic. The principle is already familiar to us. If you don't have a hangover, use brine to clean the kettle.
Household chemicals for descaling
We have studied reviews from some customers and will take the liberty of offering you a rating of the five best descaling products, according to the editors website.
In any water heating device from time to time we discover a treasure trove of minerals, namely deposits of magnesium and calcium salts from hard water. And if we always try to prevent the occurrence of scale in the dishwasher and washing machine, then what can we say about the kettle, where it not only worsens its performance and leads to breakdowns, but also harms the health of household members.
In this material, we have collected 6 of the most effective and affordable methods at home that will help you descale your kettle. Actually everyone's secret folk remedies very simple:
- Scale in a kettle or electric kettle is afraid of organic and inorganic acids, so almost all methods of removing it at home are based on the use of acid-containing products.
Method 1. How to descale an electric kettle using vinegar
Manufacturers of electric kettles do not recommend using vinegar to remove mineral deposits - after all, it is too aggressive. But sometimes you can’t do without this powerful remedy.
The method is suitable for: plastic, glass and metal teapots with a very large amount of old scale.
Ingredients: water - approximately 500 ml and vinegar 9% - a little less than 1 glass or vinegar essence 70% - 1-2 tablespoons.
Recipe: pour water into a kettle and boil it, then pour acetic acid into the boiling water and leave the scale to soak in the solution for 1 hour, during which you should periodically lift the lid and check how the process is underway scale detachment from the walls of the kettle. If the scale does not come off on its own, but only loosens, then it will need to be removed with a sponge. Be sure to boil water in a clean kettle once or twice and then rinse it thoroughly to remove any remaining vinegar.
Method 2. How to descale an electric kettle using citric acid
The method is suitable for: cleaning electric kettles made of plastic, stainless steel and glass with light or moderate dirt.
Ingredients: water - approximately 500 ml and citric acid - 1-2 tablespoons (depending on the degree of contamination). A quarter of a lemon can replace powdered acid.
Recipe: we also pour water into a kettle and boil it, then pour citric acid into the boiling water or put a quarter of a lemon and wait until the water cools down for about 1-2 hours (the acid that gets into the hot water will “hiss”). If the scale is not old, it will come off on its own. Otherwise, you will have to put in a little effort. Remember to boil water in a clean kettle and then rinse it thoroughly.
Method 3. How to get rid of scale in a kettle of any kind using soda
Enameled and aluminum cookware is afraid of aggressive acids, so the first 2 methods of removing limescale are not suitable for them, but a regular soda solution can help you.
The method is suitable for: descaling both in conventional enamel and aluminum kettles, and in any electric kettles.
Ingredients: baking soda, or preferably soda ash – 1 tablespoon, water – approximately 500 ml (the main thing is that it covers all the limescale).
Recipe 1: to remove scale from the walls of an enamel or aluminum kettle, you must first mix soda with water, then bring this solution to a boil, and then leave it to simmer over low heat for half an hour. At the end of the procedure, wash off the remaining soda by boiling clean water once, draining it and rinsing the kettle.
Recipe 2: to clean an electric kettle with soda, you need to boil water, make a soda solution, and then let it cool for 1-2 hours. A more gentle way is to pour soda into boiling water, and then leave the solution until it cools completely - during this time, the mineral deposits will become softer, and it will be easier to wash them off by hand.
Method 4. How to descale a kettle using Coca-Cola and Sprite
This method is not the most effective and economical, but why not try it for fun?
The method is suitable for: descaling in ordinary stainless steel kettles and electric kettles, but for enameled and tin kettles - with caution.
Ingredients: any carbonated drinks with citric acid in the composition are suitable - from Coca-Cola to Fanta. But it is better to take colorless drinks, for example, Sprite or Schweppes.
Recipe: First, release the gases from the drink, then pour 500 ml of liquid into the kettle and let it boil, and then cool. The result of the experiment can be seen in this video.
Method 5. How to remove scale from a kettle using apple or potato peelings
This product is suitable either for preventative care or if the limescale deposits are still weak.
The method is suitable for:
Ingredients: apple, pear or potato peelings.
Recipe: place apple, pear or washed potato peelings in a kettle, fill with water and bring to a boil. As soon as the water boils, leave the peel to cool for 1-2 hours, and then wash off the softened plaque with a sponge.
Method 6. How to descale a kettle using brine
Since brine contains organic acids, it can also be used to remove scale and rust. Therefore, if you have cucumber or tomato brine on hand, which, as often happens, has nowhere to put it, feel free to put it to work.
The method is suitable for: descaling conventional enamel and metal kettles.
Recipe: pour the brine into a kettle through a sieve (so that nothing extra remains in it), bring it to a boil, then leave the brine to cool for a couple of hours. Use a sponge to remove any residue limescale and rust and finally rinse the kettle clean with running water.
Lime in the kettle worries every housewife. She not only spoils appearance device, prevents the water from boiling faster, but also leads to breakdown. Scale is also extremely dangerous for the body, as it interferes with the normal functioning of the kidneys and excretory system.
By using filtered water, you will postpone the problem for a while, but someday scale will still form and you will have to remove it. Therefore, tips on how to do this without damaging the heating element will always come in handy.
Rules for using an electric kettle
But first, let's talk about what will prevent it from forming quickly and will extend the life of your kettle:
- do not boil the same water several times, this is harmful to your health;
- do not let the device heat up if it is less than half full;
- make sure the lid is tightly closed;
- do not allow any objects to get inside the kettle;
- Do not clean it with harsh abrasives or metal sponges;
- do not touch the heating surface, do not try to clean it mechanically;
- Do not clean the electric kettle with soda, it will stain the walls;
- Descale at least once every two weeks.
If you didn’t know about the rules for using a kettle before, now remember them and follow them. Then it will serve you much longer than its service life.
In shops household chemicals they may offer you special means, helping to clean the insides of the device from deposits, but do not rush to purchase them. These powders contain a lot of chemicals that are hazardous to health if they come into contact with the skin or the body. You better try traditional methods, which are also effective, but also safe.
Table vinegar
The most popular method is to use vinegar. Dilute it with water 1 to 10 and pour it into the kettle halfway. Let it boil and leave for 15 minutes. Then repeat the procedure two or three more times and rinse the kettle well. If on its walls or heating element scale particles remain, then fill new water with vinegar and do the whole process again. But next time, don’t bring him to this state.
When cleaning is complete, fill ordinary water and boil the kettle. Pour it out, fill it with a new one and let it warm up again. The water poured for the third time can be drunk without fear that the vinegar remains in the kettle.
Lemon acid
Another cleaning method is to use citric acid. Dissolve 20 gr. powder in a liter of warm water and pour into the device. Let sit for 4 hours and then drain. After this, evaluate how clean your kettle is. If there are traces of scale left on it, then fill it again with diluted citric acid.
In the case where the scale layer is several millimeters, this method will not work. We'll have to do things differently. Pour in the solution and heat it several times. After citric acid, just boil the kettle clean water just one time.
Cleaning with vinegar and citric acid
If you have never cleaned your kettle before and a decent layer of scale has accumulated on it, then try the method described below. Pour a solution of vinegar and water into the device, boil it and leave until it cools. Then drain and fill with diluted citric acid. Bring to a boil again and wait until the water becomes cold. Alternate these techniques three times, and then, if all the scale is not removed, gently scrape it off with a sponge.
Instead of these solutions, you can use strained cucumber brine. It also contains vinegar and citric acid. Just pour it into the kettle and boil. Then rinse well inner side appliance and boil the water once.
Soda
You can clean an electric kettle using soda. To do this, boil water in it, and then add 3 teaspoons of soda to it and mix well. After half an hour, drain the solution and repeat the whole process. After cleaning, do not forget to boil the water once without additives and drain it. This will help get rid of any remaining baking soda on the walls.
Do not try to scrub off scale with undiluted soda powder; it has harsh abrasive properties and will scratch the surface of the heating device. If boiling does not help, add one tablespoon acetic acid. When the soda begins to extinguish, it will dissolve even hardened scale.
The imagination of housewives knows no bounds, and they resort to new tricks to get rid of the hated plaque quickly and without extra costs. Do not repeat their mistakes and do not waste your time on useless activities; in this case, it is better to purchase an anti-scale agent.
Coca-Cola or Sprite
This method may seem effective to some, but do not indulge yourself in illusions. Citric acid, which is contained in each of these drinks, helps to cope with plaque. Only its pure powder is several times cheaper than sweet water and has no dyes or harmful preservatives.
Peels and peels
The fact is that the main substance that dissolves scale is again acid, but it is contained in a minimal amount, which does not affect the result. In addition, if a foreign object gets on the heating surface, it will damage it.
Take care of your kettle, clean it promptly using the methods described above, do not leave water on overnight, use only filtered water, and then it will last a long time. Don't forget that clean kitchen appliances are the key to your health.
Video: how to descale a kettle in 3 minutes