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Scale is a solid deposit formed from the mineral salts present in hard water. This deposit can build up on the inside walls of kettles, which can affect the quality of your hot drinks and reduce the lifespan of the appliance (as well as quickly giving your kettle an old-fashioned look as the heating element turns white!) So it's important to look after your kettle to prevent limescale build-up and ensure that your appliance lasts longer, as well as giving you a great tasting cup of tea or coffee.
In this article, we'll be giving you advice on the precautions you need to take to avoid limescale deposits in your kettle, tips on how to descale an electric kettle naturally and how to deal with stubborn limescale!
Before tackling the enemy, let's get to the bottom of it! Scale and limescale are often used interchangeably, but they have subtle differences.
First of all, it's time to dispel a common misconception: tap water always contains limescale - calcium and magnesium ions - minerals that are essential to human health, so no, limescale is not bad for your health!
Calcareous water is water with a high concentration of calcium and magnesium. High concentrations are referred to as "hard water". hard water (water hardness is measured).
Scale, on the other hand, is a solid deposit that forms when the minerals in water crystallise. Limescale is therefore a by-product of limescale. While there is no health risk, limescale can damage a kettle or other household appliance by building up on the inside. Scale can be difficult to remove and can cause operating problems if left untreated.
In short, limescale is a source of scale and scale is a result of the presence of limescale. So it's not the limescale that needs to be removed from an electric kettle - it's the limescale!
Chemically, the tartar from your kettle is slightly different from the tartar that forms on our teeth.
Tartar on the teeth is a mineral deposit, made up of minerals such as calcium and phosphate, which forms from dental plaque and minerals present in saliva.
Scale in a kettle is a mineral deposit caused by hard water containing minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
After all, yes, it is a valid question! There are several reasons why you should clean your appliance regularly, and here are the main ones
Here are the main reasons for descaling a kettle:
There, now that you're convinced of the company (if you weren't already!) we can get on with it.Â
Before you think about how to descale a kettle, you can learn how to prevent the formation of scale in the kettle as much as possible.
The first solution is to use purified water.
Filtering your tap water can remove impurities such as heavy metals, pesticides, bacteria and viruses, improving the quality of tap water. Filtered water can also prevent minerals and deposits from building up in household appliances such as kettles, coffee makers and dishwashers.
However, conventional filters, such as those used in the cartridges of Brita filter carafes, have a number of drawbacks and are only relatively effective (see our article : Filter carafes: a good idea?)
An alternative solution exists with LaVie water purifiers, whose purification process does not involve the use of expensive filters that are difficult to recycle. We refer you to this page of the site where we explain in detail how they work: https://lavie.bio/notre-technologie/)
Finally, it is important not to boil the same water in the kettle several times, as this can accelerate the formation of limescale deposits. It's also important not to leave any leftover water in the kettle when it's not in use, and to empty it completely after each use. By following these simple tips, you can avoid having to descale your kettle frequently and keep it working properly.
If you live in a region with a high level of limescale in the water, you may want to consider investing in a water softener for your home. But then again, there's a lot of misinformation out there about the usefulness and benefits of this appliance. We refer you to our article Why install a water softener?
For a simpler, more environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional water softeners, LAVIE offers the anti-scale system ODOUCEa salt-free water softener which prevents limescale forming by transforming it into a fine, non-sticky dust.
Thanks to LAVIE's patented technology, ODOUCE reduces limescale deposits in your appliances, including your kettle, by 78% without requiring any maintenance. Easy to install and environmentally friendly, it allows you to protect your equipment while preserving the quality of your water.
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But even if you've taken the right precautions, your kettle could still end up scaling. So before you run out and buy the first high-priced chemical product that comes along, let's start with good old-fashioned grandma's remedies, which have proved their worth many times over.
White vinegar is a natural product that can help remove limescale deposits from your kettle. Simply fill your kettle with half water and half white vinegar. Leave for about 30 minutes, then empty the kettle and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
White vinegar is most often used to descale a kettle, but you can also use spirit vinegar for your appliance. It is important to choose a food-grade vinegar to avoid health risks.
Baking soda is also a natural product that can help clean your kettle.
Note: Be careful not to use citric acid on a stainless steel kettle, as this can damage the surface. It is also important not to inhale citric acid vapours and to ventilate the room well when using this descaling solution.
Lemons are a natural source of citric acid, which is very useful in the fight against tartar. To use it, cut it in half and squeeze the juice into the kettle. Then follow the same steps as for the citric acid method described later in this article.
Great words require great remedies! If the limescale in your kettle is particularly stubborn, make a clever mixture of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda! The vinegar will react with the bicarbonate of soda and the fizzy solution should quickly eradicate all traces of limescale from your kettle.
Simply mix one part white vinegar and one part bicarbonate of soda to form a solution. Fill the kettle with this mixture and leave it to stand for several hours. Rinse with clean water and wipe with a clean cloth to remove any limescale residue.
Decalcifying products sold in shops for consumers generally include acid solutions such as citric acid or phosphoric acid, as well as water- and salt-based solutions or decalcifying tablets specially designed for household appliances such as coffee makers, kettles, dishwashers, etc. There are also spray products and decalcifying gels for more convenient use. There are also descaling sprays and gels for more convenient use.
Using powdered citric acid is an affordable and easy way to descale a kettle.
You can find citric acid powder online on sites such as Amazon and in DIY and gardening stores such as Leroy Merlin and Castorama.
Note: Be careful not to use citric acid on a stainless steel kettle, as this can damage the surface. It is also important not to inhale citric acid vapours and to ventilate the room well when using this descaling solution.
One last tip for the road that may surprise you? You can use Coca-Cola to maintain your kettle!
Thanks to its phosphoric acidity (pH of 2.8), this fizzy drink is similar in effectiveness to lemon juice or white vinegar.
You'll have noticed that we haven't listed this method as "natural". 😂
Regular descaling of your kettle is an important step in maintaining its performance and extending its life. It can be done simply using white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, two ingredients that are easy to find. It's important to do it regularly, depending on how you use your kettle and the hardness of the water in your area.
By taking good care of your kettle, you'll be able to enjoy it for many years to come! What's more, by using clean, scale-free water, you can also improve the quality and taste of your tea or coffee. All in all, descaling is a simple and inexpensive process that can make a big difference to the performance and lifespan of your kettle.
Read also: Water hardness: What is hard water and how do you measure it at home?
While descaling your kettle regularly is an effective solution, the ultimate solution is to prevent it from forming! To do this, there are several anti-scale systems on the market, such as water softeners or electromagnetic systems.
However, these solutions can be restrictive in terms of maintenance and efficiency. For a simpler, more environmentally-friendly alternative, LAVIE offers the anti-scale system ODOUCEa salt-free water softener which prevents limescale forming by transforming it into a fine, non-sticky dust.
Thanks to LAVIE's patented technology, ODOUCE reduces limescale deposits in your appliances, including your kettle, by 78% without requiring any maintenance. Easy to install and environmentally friendly, it allows you to protect your equipment while preserving the quality of your water.
Article written on 15/02/2023 by Pascal Nuti - CIO Solable - Passionate about energy, I'm constantly on the lookout for new targets for improvement, exploring cross-disciplinary paths using novel methods.
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