'Natural' way to rid your kettle of limescale and it's 'superior to vinegar'

Limescale, also known as calcium carbonate or hard water deposits, is a white, chalky mineral accumulation that forms in your kettle when water is heated or left to stand.

The presence of limescale in your kettle over time can hinder the flow of water, impact heating efficiency, and lead to corrosion. Therefore, it's crucial to regularly clean and remove kettle limescale to enhance its performance and lifespan.

There are numerous methods available for removing limescale from your kettle, including both chemical and natural techniques. Many households favour the latter. The four primary natural options include white vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and citric acid.

Sifa Veli, via her TikTok account @sifaveli, demonstrated the impressive results she achieved using citric acid to dissolve the limescale in her kettle in a video post, reports the Express.

In the accompanying caption, Sifa expressed: "Living in hard water central I worry about making my girl's food with limescale in there. I always use a limescale strainer when pouring water but I love this quick and natural way to descale."

She began by adding approximately one to two tablespoons of citric acid into the kettle, then filling it only halfway with water, creating a "potent" solution. After boiling the kettle, Sifa showcased the "results after just one boil." There were no signs of limescale remaining.

Households can then rinse the kettle before conducting a second boil with just water. However, a second boil isn't essential.

In the comment section, TikTok users exchanged tips on how to descale kettles. @mermaid26x shared her method involving a lemon, claiming that while citric acid is more potent, lemons work well too.

She detailed the process: "Get a lemon cut in half and squeeze the lemon into the empty kettle. Cut the lemon into small slices and put it into the kettle. Fill the kettle halfway up and leave it to settle for half an hour then boil."

Other users favour citric acid over alternatives like lemons or even white vinegar for its effectiveness. @happyfam794 stated: "Citric acid is superior to vinegar and anything else I've used on my kettle. It also doesn't leave a nasty smell."

After ridding the kettle of limescale, there are a couple of preventative measures to ward off future buildup - always empty the kettle after use as residual water encourages limescale, and regularly clean the inside of the kettle.