Limescale removal from kettle element

agnes · 22 Mar 2011 at 15:27

Well, we were ignorant to the fact we have 'hard' water when we recently moved into our new house and we didn't bother picking up any filters for our brita water filter.

Now we are left with a near ruined kettle...

Any ideas on how to get the limescale off easily?

Thanks, ags.

WoZZeR · 22 Mar 2011 at 15:28

Look for a product called Oust in Wilkinsons.

It's a pouch of liquid you add to boiling water and fizzes away getting rid of the limescale.

Marine Iguana · 22 Mar 2011 at 15:28

mustard

bliss · 22 Mar 2011 at 15:29

Get some limescale remover (i use oust) or use some distilled vinegar.

Infam0us · 22 Mar 2011 at 15:30

White Vinegar, boil it a few times inside and it should be good as new

Pawnless Endgame · 22 Mar 2011 at 15:30

Is dark or light vinegar better? (edit - ahh, already answered above, cheers)

SB118 · 22 Mar 2011 at 15:30

WoZZeR said:
Look for a product called Oust in Wilkinsons.

It's a pouch of liquid you add to boiling water and fizzes away getting rid of the limescale.

Does that sort of thing work in coffee machines? I left mine standing for a month and loads of muck has settle on the heating element.

bliss · 22 Mar 2011 at 15:31

Distilled vinegar is all clear... at least i think it is.

WoZZeR · 22 Mar 2011 at 15:32

The box gives instructions for kettles, coffee makers, steam irons and showerheads.

Best of all it's cheap and works.

SpeedFreak · 22 Mar 2011 at 15:33

citric acid also works

Maccy · 22 Mar 2011 at 15:34

WoZZeR said:
Look for a product called Oust in Wilkinsons.

It's a pouch of liquid you add to boiling water and fizzes away getting rid of the limescale.

This, works very well.

Also you can get something that 'absorbs' the limescale, it's like a small wire-wool type thing. My parents have one in the kettle and just needs cleaning every now and then, works very well.

Malt_Vinegar · 22 Mar 2011 at 15:35

I use water mixed with malt vinegar (about 50/50), and just make sure I stop it before it boils over, and then quick scrub with the kitchen brush to finish it off.

Usually leaves it sparkling and bright

Tea always tastes so much better afterwards.

Pawnless Endgame · 22 Mar 2011 at 15:48

Malt Vinegar - most appropriate user name :-D

Malt_Vinegar · 22 Mar 2011 at 15:55

Monserrat said:
Malt Vinegar - most appropriate user name

Hah! Didnt even think about that!

Flibster · 22 Mar 2011 at 16:06

I descaled our kettle recently. It then started leaking. Turns out the limescale was blocking up a couple of small holes in the edge of the window that shows how much water is in it.

Oops.

Cosimo · 22 Mar 2011 at 16:10

The white powder in the sachet works a treat.

Efour · 22 Mar 2011 at 17:05

simulatorman said:
The white powder in the sachet works a treat.

yep snort a line of that then pour citric acid or a store bought de-scaling product in the kettle.

Craig1981 · 22 Mar 2011 at 17:18

I'm glad we dont have this limescale issue in Scotland.

Hooray for our soft water!

mistercrabb · 22 Mar 2011 at 17:36

Craig1981 said:
I'm glad we dont have this limescale issue in Scotland.

Hooray for our soft water!

I thought it would be worse in Scotland. Not for any real reason though.

At work we can't use tap water because of all the lead pipes (fun). So we use bottled spring water (very hard) to fill the kettle. The little white bits that end up in the bottom of the mugs are always interesting to try to avoid.

Squark · 22 Mar 2011 at 17:38

White vinegar, as has already been said