Sip clean. Simple citric acid trick to banish kettle scale

No matter how hard we try, scale will form in our kettles sooner or later. While not harmful to health, it can spoil the taste of your favorite hot beverage. A simple, natural trick can quickly eliminate the traces at the bottom of your kettle.

The issue of scale becomes particularly troublesome for those with hard water. The calcium and magnesium ions in the water transform into carbonate deposits that cling to the kettle’s walls.

With each boil, bits of this deposit detach and may end up in drinks like tea or coffee, which is best avoided.

While vinegar is a common method for descaling kettles, it can leave behind an odor and requires multiple rinses. Citric acid is a quicker, equally budget-friendly alternative.

Just boil water, add 3-4 tablespoons of citric acid, then wait 10-15 minutes. For kettles that haven't been cleaned in a while, use a thicker layer of scale with a full sachet of citric acid, fill the kettle with water, and boil it. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes before thoroughly rinsing the kettle.

Removing the scale from your kettle every two weeks is advisable, though this can depend on your home’s water quality. Consider filtering the water before boiling to slow down deposit formation, such as with a commercially available carbon filter pitcher. This can help remove most minerals and contaminants that lead to scale.

Some modern electric kettles have built-in filters. A pricier solution is to install a water-softening system directly on your tap.