Limescale is a solid deposit formed from mineral salts present in hard water. This deposit can accumulate on the inner walls of kettles, which can affect the quality of your hot beverages and reduce the lifespan of the appliance (in addition to quickly giving your kettle a dated look with its whitening resistance!). It is therefore important to take care of your kettle to prevent limescale buildup and thus ensure increased longevity of the appliance while also ensuring good taste quality of your tea or coffee.
In this article, we will provide you with tips on precautions to take to avoid limescale deposits in your kettle, give you tricks on how to descale an electric kettle naturally, or how to deal with stubborn limescale!
Limescale or tartar?
Before tackling the enemy, let us try to define it! Tartar and limescale are often used interchangeably, but they have subtle differences.
First of all, we need to dispel a common misconception: tap water always contains limescale – ions of calcium and magnesium – minerals essential for human health, so no, limescale is not harmful to health!
“Hard water” is water particularly concentrated in calcium and magnesium. For high concentrations, we refer to hard water (water hardness is measured).
Tartar, on the other hand, is a solid deposit that forms when the minerals in water crystallize. Tartar is therefore derived from limescale. While there is no health risk, tartar can damage, by accumulating on the internal walls, a kettle or other household appliances. Tartar can be difficult to remove and can cause operational problems if not addressed.
In summary, limescale is a source of tartar and tartar is a result of the presence of limescale. Therefore, one should not remove limescale from an electric kettle but rather the tartar!
Good to know!
Chemically, the tartar in your kettle is slightly different from that which forms on our teeth.
Tartar on teeth is a mineral deposit, composed of minerals such as calcium and phosphate, which forms from dental plaque and minerals present in saliva.
Tartar in a kettle is a mineral deposit caused by hard water that contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
Why descale your kettle?
After all, yes, it is a valid question! There are several reasons that prompt you to regularly clean your appliance, and here are the main ones.
Here are the main reasons for descaling a kettle:
- Prolonging lifespan: Descaling can help extend the lifespan of your kettle by removing tartar that can damage the heating elements.
- Improving performance: Tartar can hinder water circulation and heat transfer, making it more difficult for the kettle to reach the desired temperature. Descaling can help improve the performance of your kettle by removing tartar.
- Energy savings: this point is directly related to the previous one. Indeed, tartar can increase your kettle’s energy consumption by making it more difficult to reach the desired temperature. Descaling can help reduce energy consumption by maintaining optimal performance.
- Quality and taste of beverages: Tartar can affect the quality and taste of your hot beverages. By regularly descaling your kettle, you can improve the quality and taste of your drinks.
Now that you are convinced of the necessity (if you weren’t already!), we can continue.
How to avoid tartar in the kettle?
Before wondering how to descale a kettle, you can already learn how to avoid tartar formation in it as much as possible.
The first solution is to use purified water.
Filtering your tap water can eliminate impurities such as heavy metals, pesticides, bacteria, and viruses, thereby improving the quality of tap water. Filtered water can also prevent minerals and deposits from accumulating in household appliances such as kettles, coffee makers, and dishwashers.
However, conventional filters like those used in Brita-type filter jug cartridges have many disadvantages and a relatively limited effectiveness (See our article: The filter jug: a good idea?)
An alternative solution exists with LaVie water purifiers, whose purification process does not involve the use of costly and difficult-to-recycle filters. We refer you to this page on the site where we explain their operation in detail: https://lavie.bio/fr/technologies-brevetees-lavie/)
Finally, it is important not to boil the same water in the kettle multiple times, as this can accelerate the formation of limescale deposits. It is also important not to leave any water residue in the kettle when not in use and to empty it completely after each use. By following these simple tips, you can avoid having to frequently descale your kettle and maintain its proper functioning.
What about water softeners?
If you live in an area with a high limescale content in the water, the question of investing in a water softener for the home may arise. But again, much misinformation circulates about the usefulness and benefits of this device. We refer you to our article A water softener, why do it?
Alternatives to softeners
For a simpler and more ecological alternative to conventional water softeners, LAVIE offers the anti-limescale system ODOUCE, a salt-free water softener that prevents tartar formation by transforming it into a fine, non-sticky dust.
Thanks to this patented technology from LAVIE, ODOUCE reduces tartar deposits in your appliances, including your kettle, by 78%, without requiring maintenance. Easy to install and environmentally friendly, it allows you to protect your equipment while maintaining the quality of your water.
How to descale a kettle naturally?
But even if you have taken the right precautions, your kettle may eventually become scaled. So before rushing to buy the first chemical product at a high price, let us first consider the good old grandmother’s remedies that have proven effective many times.
Vinegar
White vinegar is a natural product that can help eliminate limescale deposits from your kettle. To do this, simply fill your kettle with half water and half white vinegar. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, then empty the kettle and rinse it thoroughly with clear water.
White vinegar is most often used to descale a kettle, but you can also use alcohol vinegar for your appliance. It is important to choose a food-grade vinegar to avoid health risks.
Baking soda
Baking soda is also a natural product that can help clean your kettle.
- Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with about two cups of water.
- Pour the mixture into your kettle before boiling the kettle several times.
- Once the mixture has boiled for about 15 minutes, let it cool for another 15 minutes.
- Rinse the kettle with cold water and use a dry cloth or sponge to wipe the inside and remove any remaining tartar traces.
Note: Make sure not to use citric acid on a stainless steel kettle, as it can damage the surface. It is also important not to inhale citric acid vapors and to ventilate the room well while using this descaling solution.
Lemon juice
Lemon is a natural source of citric acid, very useful against tartar. It can be used by cutting it in half and squeezing the juice into the kettle. Then follow the same steps as for the citric acid method described later in this article.
And for stubborn tartar?
To big words, big remedies! If the limescale in your kettle is particularly stubborn, make a clever mixture of vinegar and baking soda! The vinegar will react with the baking soda and the fizzy solution should quickly eradicate any trace of limescale in your kettle.
Simply mix one part white vinegar and one part baking soda to form a solution. Fill the kettle with this mixture and let it sit for several hours. Rinse with clear water and wipe with a clean cloth to remove any residue of limescale.
Other solutions
Store-bought descalers
The descaling products sold in stores for consumers generally include acidic solutions such as citric acid or phosphoric acid, as well as water and salt-based solutions or descaling tablets specifically designed for household appliances such as coffee makers, kettles, dishwashers, etc. There are also spray products and descaling gels for more convenient use.
Using powdered citric acid is an affordable and easy solution for descaling a kettle.
- To start, fill your kettle halfway with water and bring it to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, add between 1 and 2 tablespoons of powdered citric acid
- Let the mixture sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then dispose of it.
To remove the most stubborn limescale stains, use a sponge or a scrubbing brush. - Rinse the kettle thoroughly with cold water to remove any residue of citric acid.
You can find powdered citric acid online on sites like Amazon as well as in DIY or gardening stores like Leroy Merlin or Castorama
Note: Be sure not to use citric acid on a stainless steel kettle, as it can damage the surface. It is also important not to inhale citric acid vapors and to properly ventilate the room while using this descaling solution.
Coca!
One last tip for the road that might surprise you? Know that you can use Coca-Cola for maintaining your kettle!
Thanks to its phosphoric acidity (pH of 2.8), this soft drink will have a similar effectiveness to lemon juice or white vinegar.
- Fill your kettle with cola (not necessarily the famous brand!) and bring it to a boil.
- Let the kettle cool for about 45 minutes before emptying the liquid.
- Wash and rinse the kettle thoroughly to remove all traces.
- Finally, boil clean water and dispose of it.
You may have noticed that we did not list this method as ‘natural’. 😂
Regularly descaling your kettle is an important step in maintaining its performance and prolonging its lifespan. It can be done simply using white vinegar and baking soda, two ingredients that are easy to find. It is important to do this regularly, depending on your kettle’s usage and the hardness of the water in your area.
By taking care of your kettle, you will be able to enjoy it for many years! Moreover, by using clean, scale-free water, you can also improve the quality and taste of your tea or coffee. In summary, descaling is a simple and inexpensive process that can make a significant difference to the performance and lifespan of your kettle.
Also read: Water hardness: What is hard water and how to measure it at home?
How to avoid tartar in the kettle?
While regularly descaling your kettle is an effective solution, the ultimate solution would be to prevent it from forming! For this, there are several anti-limescale systems on the market, such as traditional salt-based water softeners or electromagnetic systems.
However, these solutions can be cumbersome in terms of maintenance or efficiency. For a simpler and more environmentally friendly alternative, LAVIE offers the anti-limescale system ODOUCE, a salt-free water softener that prevents limescale formation by transforming it into a fine, non-sticky dust.
Thanks to this patented technology from LAVIE, ODOUCE reduces limescale deposits in your appliances, including your kettle, by 78% without requiring maintenance. Easy to install and environmentally friendly, it allows you to protect your equipment while maintaining the quality of your water.
