Protect your kettle from scale using just baking soda

We frequently boil water in the kettle multiple times a day, particularly during winter, when a hot brew offers a special comfort. It is essential to always keep the device clean, especially when using hard water. Calcium and magnesium ions in hard water form carbonates, resulting in a distinctive deposit on the kettle's interior. During each boiling cycle, fragments of this deposit break free and find their way into our drink.

The formation of scale is a natural process, hence such water is perfectly safe for consumption. However, it may not taste good. Nobody relishes the experience of drinking coffee that crunches with scale particles. This situation can be avoided through regular kettle maintenance. Although the deposits aren't harmful to humans, they can definitely damage the heating elements of the device. A calcified kettle consequently has a shorter lifespan and may even burn out under extreme conditions.

Luckily, decalcifying a kettle is not a tough job. There's no need to resort to potent chemicals or make a special shopping trip. The required ingredient is readily available in the kitchen. To effectively remove the build-up from your kettle, boil water in it, then pour in three to four tablespoons of baking soda. Leave the device as it is for about 15 minutes, allowing the soda to work its magic. Afterwards, ensure you rinse the kettle thoroughly - at least twice - and it's all done!

The kettle should ideally be decalcified every two weeks, although the frequency also depends on the water quality at your place. Using a filter (for instance, an easily available jug with a carbon filter) before boiling helps reduce the amount of deposits by removing most scale-forming particles and impurities. Some newer electric kettles come pre-installed with this feature. An alternative option could be installing an astute water softening system in your tap, though this might be a more significant investment.