Quick answer
Fill the kettle halfway with equal parts water and white vinegar, heat it, let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, pour it out, then boil and discard plain water twice.
White flakes in a kettle are usually mineral scale from hard water. Vinegar loosens that buildup without scrubbing the heating element or scratching the interior.
Materials
- White vinegar
- Water
- Soft sponge or bottle brush
- Clean cloth
Step by step
- 1
Check the manual
If the kettle maker forbids vinegar, use the recommended descaler instead.
- 2
Mix the solution
Add equal parts water and white vinegar until the scaled area is covered, staying below the max fill line.
- 3
Heat and pause
Bring the solution to a boil or near boil, then switch the kettle off and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
- 4
Loosen remaining spots
Use a soft sponge or bottle brush on stubborn scale. Do not scrape the heating plate with metal.
- 5
Rinse twice
Pour out the vinegar, rinse, then boil plain water and discard it twice so the next drink does not taste sour.
How often to descale
In hard-water areas, descale every two to four weeks. If the kettle is used lightly or the water is soft, once every couple of months is usually enough.
Never mix vinegar with bleach or chlorine cleaners. Keep the process to vinegar and water only.
Common mistakes
- Leaving vinegar in overnight
- Using metal tools on the heating base
- Skipping the plain-water boil after cleaning
Frequently asked
Can I use lemon juice?
Yes, lemon juice can work on light scale, but vinegar is usually stronger and cheaper.
Is limescale dangerous?
Small amounts are mostly a taste and performance issue, but heavy scale slows heating and sheds flakes into drinks.
