No matter how you purify and filter the water, it is unlikely that you will be able to avoid scale in the kettle. Due to scale, electric kettles break down more often and fail faster. At the bottom of conventional teapots (enamel, glass or stainless steel), a mixture of limestone deposits and rust forms, which also shortens the service life of the cookware. So how can you remove nickel in a kettle quickly and effectively? Let's figure it out.
Consequences of scale
Experts advise not to ignore the scale problem. Due to the fact that the sediment has low thermal conductivity, it does not allow water to contact the steel, so a heating element in an electric kettle (steel spiral or disk) becomes hot and quickly becomes unusable.
In addition to the frequent breakdown of electric kettles and the destruction of the walls of ordinary ones, scale entering the human body along 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 quick way descaling, which is suitable for metal kettles. For 1 liter of water you will need 100 ml of food vinegar. The vinegar solution needs to be poured into a kettle and put on fire. After the water boils, you need to reduce the heat and let it simmer 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. You need to dilute 1-2 teaspoons of citric acid in 1 liter of water, pour the resulting solution into a kettle and boil. If the scale layer is quite large, the procedure will need to be repeated. Boil water in a clean kettle 1-2 times and then rinse it well to remove any remaining acid.
Apple or potato peels
This type of cleaning is suitable for preventative maintenance when the scale deposits are not yet too large. Place washed potato or apple peelings in a kettle, add water and bring to a boil. After this, remove the kettle from the heat and let it sit with the solution for 1-2 hours. Then wash and rinse the kettle.
Soda
Carbonated drinks - Fanta, Coca-Cola, Sprite - clean dishes well. strong scale and rust. First, open the drink bottle and let it sit until the gas comes out. Then pour the soda into the kettle and bring to a boil. Let the kettle cool, 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 enamel teapots You can use soda cleaning. Fill the kettle with water and add 1 tbsp. l. baking soda, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 25-40 minutes, depending on the degree of contamination. Wash the kettle, boil water in it several times and rinse well to remove all remaining soda.
Brine
Brine from cucumbers or tomatoes perfectly removes scale and rust from iron. The cleaning process is quite simple: pour the brine into a kettle and boil over low heat for 20-30 minutes. Then you need to wash the kettle thoroughly, boil it with clean water and rinse thoroughly.
A solution of soda, vinegar and citric acid
Such cleaning will help to cope with particularly difficult and advanced cases. But you shouldn’t use this method very often and unless really necessary. Fill the kettle with water and add 1 tbsp. l. baking soda. Boil for at least 5 minutes and drain. Fill the kettle with citric acid solution (1 tbsp per kettle), boil over low heat for 30 minutes and drain the water. Warm up the kettle again 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 come off completely on its own, will become loose, and you can remove it with a foam sponge.
Preventing scale
To minimize descaling and keep the kettle in working condition for a long time, follow a few simple rules:
- Rinse the kettle daily, removing small deposits from it 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 until a lot of scale has formed and its layer becomes thick and hard; the smaller the sediment, the easier it is to remove it.
Following these simple tips and using simple methods cleaning, you can remove scale from the kettle without spending a lot of time and money.
An electric kettle has long become an indispensable item in the kitchen. But over time, scale forms in it, which occurs regardless of the quality of the equipment, frequency of use and other objective factors. Plaque disrupts the operation of the device and causes the appearance of unpleasant odor water. To avoid such negative phenomena, carry out regular cleaning household appliances using chemicals or home methods. How and with what to effectively descale an electric kettle at home?
To descale your electric kettle, follow these simple recommendations:
- Warn all family members that the kettle is being cleaned and the water from it should not be drunk. If possible, carry out the procedure when no one is home.
- To clean the device, pour water into it, add the active substance and boil. Unplug the kettle and rinse thoroughly.
- Do not use abrasive powders or metal brushes for cleaning. They may damage the kettle.
- Do not allow a large accumulation of scale - to do this, clean the electric kettle at least 1-2 times a month. For preventative purposes, use settled or filtered water.
- For removing heavy pollution use several methods in combination.
- Using household chemicals To clean, do not forget to wash the device thoroughly so that harmful substances do not enter the body.
Citric acid and juice
To clean the kettle, prepare a solution based on 500 ml of water and 1 tbsp. l. citric acid. Pour the resulting mixture into the device and boil. After turning off the kettle, leave it for 15-25 minutes to dissolve old dirt. After the allotted time, rinse the kettle with a soft sponge and clean water.
In a similar way, you can clean the device using lemon. Add a few slices of fresh citrus to a kettle of water, boil it and wash it. This method will not only get rid of scale, but also give a refreshing lemon aroma.
Baking soda
Baking soda will help you get rid of scale effectively. Pour 1 liter of water into the electric kettle and add 3-4 tbsp. l. soda Bring the solution to a boil, let it cool slightly, and then rinse the device with clean water.
To get rid of old dirt, boil a kettle with soda, then pour out the solution and pour in vinegar. The reaction of alkali and acid will speed up the process of destruction of scale and help quickly get rid of it.
Vinegar and essence
To clean an electric kettle at home, pour water (1.5-2 l) into it and add 100 ml of 6% vinegar or 1-2 tbsp. l. essences. Turn on the kettle, wait for it to boil and leave it for 3-4 hours (overnight if there is a lot of scale). During this time, the vinegar will dissolve the plaque. Then pour out the vinegar solution and rinse the kettle thoroughly with clean running water. The disadvantage of this method is the unpleasant smell of vinegar, which can be removed by prolonged ventilation.
Lemonade
It may seem strange to you, but scale can be overcome with carbonated drinks. It is important that the lemonade is colorless, otherwise some elements of the device will become colored.
To descale, shake the soda and pour 1 liter into the kettle. Bring the lemonade to a boil and leave to cool completely. The scale will completely dissolve and be removed by phosphoric acid contained in the drink. If the stains are not severe, simply pour the soda into the kettle and leave for several hours (without boiling), and then rinse with a soft sponge and clean water.
Oxalic acid
Can cope with scale oxalic acid. Fill a small amount of funds into the kettle and fill with water. Boil the solution and leave it for a few minutes, then remove any remaining scale with a soft sponge. You can also use fresh sorrel for cleaning, but due to the low acid concentration in it, you will need to repeat the procedure.
Household chemicals
Household chemicals will help get rid of scale in an electric kettle. The range of products will allow you to choose the most suitable option, which will effectively remove plaque. The most popular products are Antiscale, Antiscale, Major Domus.
Before use, carefully read the instructions and perform all actions strictly following the dosage and recommendations. After treating the kettle with household chemicals, rinse it thoroughly, and to remove residues chemicals, boil in it clean water at least 3-4 times.
Scale is the scourge of civilization; it accumulates on household items that interact with water at different temperatures. The intensity of scale formation depends on the quality of the water, its hardness: the more the water is saturated with salts, the harder it is, and the faster scale appears. In our article we will look at ways to clean scale.
The place where solid deposits form in conventional enamel or metal kettles is the inner surface of the bottom and walls. This defect causes the walls and bottom of the kettle to overheat, and the heating of the water slows down and worsens due to the disruption of its contact with metal surface. The scale is cleaned by boiling with several proven means that are absolutely harmless to health:- dilute 50 ml of vinegar in 500 ml of water. Boil the resulting solution until the process of scale removal from the walls and bottom of the dish begins.
- Carbonated drinks “Coca-Cola”, “Sprite”, “Pepsi” will do an excellent job of removing scale.
- Boil the kettle, alternating solutions of soda with water and citric acid with water (1 tablespoon of dry matter per 2 liters of liquid).
- Cucumber pickle (or tomato pickle) will do a great job of removing rust and iron salts.
- Fill the coffee machine reservoir with a special solution, bring it to a boil and leave for 10-12 hours. Afterwards, rinse the device thoroughly by running water through the device. For coffee machines, purchase specialized means from manufacturers, this is the only way to preserve and protect your equipment.
- For electronics, use citric acid (1 tsp) diluted in 500 ml of water. Boil the resulting solution, and then rinse the cleaned device with clean water.
- For dishwashers use special means, which should be poured into the base of the device, followed by the normal operating cycle.
- IN washing machines Place the descaling agent in the detergent or bulk compartment. Such a substance can be lemon acid(use it once every six months) or Antiscale. Then turn on the machine idling at maximum temperature.
- immerse only the soles of the device in a hot vinegar solution (you should not pour it into a water container, as its concentration can damage the rubber parts of the device);
- Fill the iron reservoir with clean water, turn the iron on maximum heating, and clean it several times, passing steam.
The water coming out of the taps may not be the best best quality. Scale on the walls not only gives an unpleasant taste to brewed drinks, but also increases the heating time of the device, reducing its thermal conductivity.
The same applies to regular enameled metal teapots. The resulting deposit requires the dishes to remain on the stove for a longer time. As a result, electricity or gas is consumed. Therefore, the question of how to descale a kettle at home remains relevant for many.
It doesn't matter what kind of kettle you use. Everyday life– electric or metal. Scale may appear on each of the appliances. And no filters or even boiling artesian water High Quality will not help to avoid this trouble.
For scale, it is a more terrible threat, since the product can not only begin to perform its purpose worse, but also completely fail. AND simple devices can also become so “overgrown” with lime inner surface that using the strongest cleansers will not help get rid of it.
Therefore, any care must be timely. There is no need to delay this, postponing the process until later. Otherwise, you risk being left without a device.
The process of scale formation on each of the teapots is characterized by several points.
All scale is formed from tap water, containing a lot different salts, settling on the walls of containers during boiling.
Therefore, the question of how to clean the inside of a kettle from scale worries us much more, because it is much easier and faster.
The rate of scale formation depends on the concentration of salts in tap water and increases in proportion to their number. All newfangled filters can, of course, soften water, but they will not be a panacea for scale.
But not only teapots suffer from scale. It can also harm our body. And, above all, to the organs of the urinary system and kidneys.
Citric acid is one of the most effective means in the fight against scale. Its use will not cause any difficulties, but will help you quickly clean the kettle.
The advantages are the availability of this product and its effectiveness. But how to clean a kettle with citric acid? The process is carried out in several successive steps.
- Count required quantity"Lemons" It is related to the degree of contamination of the device. The more scale, the correspondingly large quantity you need to take lemon powder. The best option There will be the use of two or three packs per unit.
- Fill up with water, approximately 2/3 of the container's volume. If the scale is localized on the upper walls, then add water to such an extent that it covers it.
- Pour the acid into the water and stir until all the crystals dissolve.
- If the scale is fresh, then there will be no need to boil the lemon juice. You can simply prepare the solution using the above method and leave it for several hours. After this, rinse the dishes and boil them with clean water.
- If the case is more complex, then the prepared solution should be boiled in a kettle for 10-15 minutes, then pour it out, rinse the product with clean water and boil again.
- It is better to repeat the procedure a couple of times to consolidate the result.
Another remedy that helps descale a kettle at home is vinegar.
To do this, water is poured into the device in the same volume as in the previous method, and vinegar is added at the rate of half a glass of vinegar per 1 liter of water. If you don’t have vinegar, then vinegar essence will do.
In this case, its amount should be reduced (take 3 teaspoons of essence per liter of water). Boil the water for 3-5 minutes, let it cool completely, drain and rinse the kettle with water. Repeat boiling only with clean liquid at least twice.
If the old plaque does not go away the first time, the process can be repeated. Also, softened plaque can be removed by rubbing it with a sponge.
However, vinegar cannot be used to clean electric kettles.
Soda is suitable for enamel and electric kettles. She is affordable but at the same time universal remedy, very effective in the fight against limescale deposits on the walls of teapots.
However, you need to be careful with it, since hard grains can damage the surfaces by scratching them.
Most likely, you will have to repeat cleaning the kettle with soda. Since it is a fairly mild product, one application for a heavily damaged surface will not be enough.
You need to fill the kettle halfway with water and pour two teaspoons of soda into it. Let the water boil, then, reducing the flame, boil for 25-35 minutes. Drain the water and rinse the inside of the kettle.
If the kettle is electric with an auto-shut-off mode, then simply after the appliance has finished boiling, leave the water and soda in it until it cools completely.
other methods
Regular soda will also help solve the question of how to descale an electric kettle. To prevent the inner surface of the device from becoming dark color, it is better to use colorless drinks. Sprite is ideal. You need to pour it into the kettle and let the product boil. The scale will evaporate after this process without a trace. The same method will work for a regular metal kettle.
Before you start using the soda, you need to let all the air bubbles out of it. You can leave the bottle open or pour the liquid into a spacious container.
One more effective method removal limescale peelings from potatoes, pears or apples. They need to be washed, put in a kettle, and filled with water. Then boil for 5-10 minutes.
In addition to limescale deposits inside the kettle, another unpleasant phenomenon is the appearance of rust. It is associated with excess iron contained in tap water and its hardness.
You need to get rid of rusty deposits in a timely manner, because in addition to imparting an unpleasant taste to tea or coffee, it can be harmful to health.
The citric acid and vinegar mentioned above will help not only remove scale from the walls of the appliance, but also remove rust. You need to do the same with them as when removing scale from the inner surface of the kettle.
Other affordable and original means and methods will help you get rid of rust.
- Washing powder and potatoes. Sprinkle the powder over a moistened surface and rub these areas with half the potatoes. Rinse thoroughly with water.
- "Coca Cola". Pour the drink into the kettle and leave overnight. In the morning the device will be ready for use.
- Cucumber pickle. Pour it into the kettle and boil for 5-10 minutes. Drain and rinse dishes with water until the smell goes away.
- Spoiled milk. It is also boiled in a kettle.
Prevention measures
To prevent the appearance of scale and rust, it will not be superfluous to observe several points.
- After use, leave the kettles dry, pouring out all the water. Its remains produce calcium. It turns into scale and affects the walls of the products.
- Clean kettles at least monthly. The more often the procedure is performed, the less effort will have to be expended in the future. In addition, this will help maintain the functionality of the product for a long time.
- Boil only distilled water or purified water using a filter in a kettle.
- Rinse the kettle with a sponge after each use. This way you can remove scale at its initial stage.
There are many means and methods to help clean a kettle from scale. But their effectiveness will depend on how quickly you get to work.
The longer the kettle accumulates scale, the more time it will take to wash it. In any case, it is better to use proven methods, otherwise the risk of damaging the device increases.
Scale not only worsens the taste of boiled water, but also serves as a kind of fur coat that prevents the heating element from actively giving off heat. As a result, it may fail prematurely. How to effectively remove deposits and return the kettle to its shiny appearance?
There are many folk ways for descaling a kettle at home; previously, our grandmothers used them mainly to clean metal kettles, which were impossible to break. Everything that came to hand was cleaned.
Lemon acid
Fits for simple and electric kettles made of of stainless steel or glass
It is forbidden use for metal, enamel teapots.
pros: cost savings.
Minuses: helps with minor stains
Citric acid helps restore cleanliness not only to kettles, but also to washing tubs automatic machines. The principle of operation is quite simple. The acid loosens deposits and helps water dissolve them.
In order for the teapot to acquire virgin purity, you need 1-2 tsp. dissolve powder in 1 liter. water and boil in a cleanable container. If your water is very hard and deposits build up quickly and in large quantities, then the procedure should be repeated a couple of times. In this case, you are more likely to achieve the desired result.
To prevent deposits, use strong solution citric acid (1 sachet per 1 liter of water) for cold dishwashing. There is no need to boil anything. Simply dissolve the powder in the liquid.
Remove limescale from a kettle with vinegar and soda
Vinegar, soda and citric acid
Cleaning the kettle with soda
Fits for regular, enameled and electric kettles.
pros: safety, accessibility, cheap way, which will help get rid of old scale.
Minuses: May leave scratches on surfaces.
Alkaline solutions cope with deposits somewhat worse than acids. However, if nothing else is at hand, you can also resort to soda. Moreover, boiling in a soda solution effectively cleans not only teapots, but also smoked pans and pots.
Pour 1-2 tsp into a three-liter kettle. soda and boil water with it for about half an hour. Then let the water cool and wash the container in the usual way. If dirt still remains, repeat the procedure a couple more times.
Cleaning the kettle with Coca-Cola
Fits for all types of kettles, except electric ones. Care must be taken when cleaning enamel models.
pros: effective method.
Minuses: The dyes contained in the drink may stick to the surface of the device.
What housewives don’t do with the famous American drink. It turns out that it copes with hard water deposits just as well professional means. Before. How to start cleaning, open the bottle and let the soda sit overnight so that the gas comes out of it.
Pour the drink into the kettle up to half the volume. Boil and rinse with a soft sponge or cloth.
When working with Cola, you need to take into account that light plastic may become stained. Use this method carefully in devices with an open heating element.
Cucumber pickle and tomato
Fits for all types of teapots.
pros: availability, cost savings (since by and large, is a handy home remedy)
Minuses: does not remove strong dirt from the surfaces of dishes, may leave an unpleasant odor that can be felt when water is boiling.
Some housewives claim that boiling brine in a kettle removes scale as well as citric acid. How plausible is this? Can salt dissolve salt? There is a rational grain in this, since the recipes of many marinades include vinegar. It creates an acidic environment in which magnesium salts can easily dissolve.
So, for work you will need one and a half liters of brine from tomatoes or cucumbers. Boil it in a kettle, then wash the container as usual.
Peeling apples and potatoes
Fits for enameled, metal, electric kettles.
pros: accessibility, environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness.
Minuses: does not help get rid of stubborn plaque.
Apple and penny peelings contain fruit organic acids. They can be used to remove light plaque. It is enough to boil water with the addition of cleaning agents, and the deposits can be easily washed off.
Potato - alkaline product. Its action is similar to soda. You need to use potato peels just like peeling fruits. Just boil it in water and rinse the dishes thoroughly.
Heavy artillery
Fits for all models.
pros: high efficiency, helps get rid of the most difficult stains.
Minuses: chemical composition, may cause a local reaction in the body. Be sure to use rubber gloves while cleaning.
In severe cases, gentle methods are ineffective. In this case, you have to use stronger means. Keep in mind that these procedures cannot be used frequently. Otherwise electric kettles may fail.
- Vinegar. For 1 liter of water, take 1 glass of 9% vinegar. Boil the solution in a cleanable kettle and hold for 15 minutes over low heat (if the cookware is enameled or made of stainless steel).
- Household chemicals. There are a great many different anti-scale agents. Before use, you must carefully read the instructions and make sure that the selected composition is suitable for your type of cookware. The manufacturer is required to notify users that the ingredients in the product may damage the plastic, rubber gaskets or metal bushings of the kettle. If there are no such marks, anti-scale agent can be safely used. Examples of popular anti-scale chemicals: ChistoFF, Planet Pure Spray, Selena, Doctor TEN universal, HG, Cinderella.
Cleaning features for teapots of various materials
Plastic and glass
Glass counts universal material, because it can withstand exposure to aggressive substances. It’s not for nothing that laboratory glassware is made from it. However, it is worth remembering that glass surfaces do not like abrasives. If you use soda for cleaning, do not rub it against the walls of the kettle, but only boil the soda solution.
Plastic equally does not like products with bleach and dyes. Therefore, it is better not to experiment with Coca-Cola, Fanta and fruits in plastic containers.
Enamel and stainless steel
Enamel can be colored in the presence of bright dyes, regardless of their composition. In addition, it does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature. Therefore, you first need to fill cold water, bring it to a boil, and then rinse it either hot water, or let the kettle cool to room temperature.
Stainless steel, like glass, can withstand almost any experiment with cleaning agents. Doesn't like abrasives. Minor scratches They spoil the beautiful gloss, although they do not affect the functionality.
Electric models
You can find two types of electric kettles: with an open heating element and a closed one. In the first case, cleaning is complicated by the fact that scale gets clogged under the heating element, from where it is difficult to remove it mechanically. In this case, it is better to use natural or industrial chemicals.
When using acids and other aggressive substances. It must be remembered that in an acidic environment, with frequent cleanings, oil seals and rubber gaskets gradually dissolve. For this reason, it is better to alternate sour and soda procedures, and also not to let the situation get worse until you need to resort to emergency cleaning methods.
Cleaning a stainless thermos from tea deposits
- The cleaning solution from the methods suggested above is poured into the thermos and left for several hours. Periodically you need to check the condition of the plaque. Rinse with soft purified water.
- Avoid using abrasive products.
- Wash the thermos immediately after use. Wipe the flask with a microfiber cloth. This way the water will leave much less sediment.
- Ventilate the thermos after cleaning to remove odors from cleaning products.
As you can see, it’s quite easy to deal with deposits on teapots and thermoses. For this, ordinary ingredients that can always be found in the kitchen are quite suitable.
Dear readers of the site, leave your comments. Tell us which cleaning method you think is the most acceptable and effective. Your opinion is very valuable to us.
May 22, 2017 Werri
