One of the effective substances for cleaning dishes is baking soda. Many housewives know how to descale a kettle with soda and share their experience. When water boils, a coating of salts and impurities contained in the water, called scale, forms on the walls. Scale deteriorates the quality of water and has a negative impact on health. It also reduces the thermal conductivity of the kettle. Heating water will take more time and energy, so scale must be removed periodically. Scale deposits on the electric kettle spiral lead to rapid breakdowns.
Various methods are used for descaling chemicals, for example, "Adipinka" and home remedies.
The cleaning capabilities of soda have long been known and are successfully used by housewives to clean surfaces made of metal, earthenware and porcelain. Thanks to the features chemical composition, the substance removes contaminants faster and more effectively compared to other products. The chemical name of soda is sodium bicarbonate, also known as sodium bicarbonate. Externally, it is a white crystalline powder with alkaline properties.
Benefits of using baking soda for cleaning:
- Active antiseptic – cleans and disinfects dishes
- Non-toxic and safe for health
- Cheapness and availability
Baking soda, when interacting with other substances, enhances its properties, so it is often used in various cleaning compositions consisting of several components.
Basic rules for cleaning scale
- Home remedies are less dangerous than chemical ones. However, it is better to carry out descaling work when no one in the household is at home and warn them not to use the kettle.
- When contacting soda, it is better to protect your hands with gloves, especially if there is damage to the skin.
- It is recommended to clean the kettle weekly. With regular cleaning, you won't need to scrub the walls for a long time.
- A large layer of scale spoils the taste of tea. You won’t be able to get the aroma and unique taste, even when brewing expensive tea.
- Carbonated water has become a new remedy for scale. The effectiveness is explained by the presence of the same soda in the composition.
- Vinegar cannot be used for enamel and electric kettles.
- Scratches easily appear on the walls of a stainless steel kettle, so it can only be descaled using a gentle method.
- Delete rusty coating, not yet ingrained into the surface, can also be done with soda.
- Boiling clean water will help wash off any remaining acid. Drain the cooled water into the sink.
- Abrasive agents and hard scrapers damage the surface.
As you know, prevention is easier than elimination. This also applies to scale. The following tips will help you avoid frequent cleaning:
- The condition of tap water affects the formation of scale on the walls of the kettle. The harder the water, the faster scale forms. Therefore, you need to take care of quality drinking water. As a last resort, use settled, boiled water.
- Don't take in too much water. Avoid boiling water again and do not leave water in the kettle overnight.
- Always rinse before use to remove white flakes.
- For the purpose of prevention, boil water with citric acid twice a month (1 tsp per kettle).
Removing scale with soda
Cleaning a kettle from scale is based on the use of acids of organic and inorganic origin. The effect of baking soda helps to soften and loosen scale, and it dissolves in acetic or citric acid.
To remove scale on the walls, pour 1 liter of water into the kettle and add a large spoonful of soda. Bring the contents to a boil, reduce the heat to low and leave for half an hour at a low simmer. Then the contents of the kettle are poured out and boiled clean water to wash the dishes. After boiling, this water is also removed.
In an electric kettle, scale can be easily removed with a soda solution. Bring it to a boil and leave for 2 hours until it cools. During this time, deposits on the walls and spirals will soften and can be easily removed under running water or a sponge.
Clean the kettle with soda and vinegar
Common and effective way fight against scale. Does not require any time and guarantees excellent results.
Needs to be put into the kettle tap water, add 2 small spoons of soda to 1 liter of water. At heavy pollution increase the amount of soda. Heat the solution to a boil, leave for 10-20 minutes. Drain and add the next portion of water. Prepare a soda solution again and add vinegar essence (1 tsp). Required proportion: for 1 liter of water 1 small spoon of essence. Boil the contents of the kettle and leave for 20 minutes. Pour out the solution. Using a sponge, remove the softened deposits from inside the kettle. Rinse with plenty of water. Not prevent additional boiling clean water.
Another method involves separately boiling first the soda solution and then the vinegar solution. To do this, pour vinegar essence (2 tbsp) into a bowl of hot water. Boil and let sit for half an hour. The scale will soften and can be easily removed with a sponge. Rinse with water.
The disadvantage of using vinegar is its persistent specific odor. Vinegar is allowed for stainless steel teapots.
Soda with citric acid
A good cleaning effect is achieved by combining soda with citric acid. If vinegar is not at hand, citric acid will replace it. Moreover, after its use there is no smell left, like after vinegar. Soda has a loosening effect on scale, and acid promotes dissolution.
The kettle is filled with water, soda and citric acid are added in a ratio of 4 tsp per 2 liters of water. acid and baking soda. Boil and cool. During cooling, active dissolution of scale occurs. Pour out the solution. Bring the water to a boil again with just citric acid. Cool and drain. Remove any remaining plaque with a sponge and lightly rub if necessary. Rinse thoroughly with water. Carry out a test boil of clean water.
There is another way to clean using soda and citric acid. In a kettle, first bring water and soda to a boil (2 tablespoons per 2 liters of water). Leave for 30 minutes and drain. Refill with water and add citric acid (2 small spoons per 2 liters). Boil for a few minutes and leave until cool. Drain the water and wash the residue on the walls with a sponge.
Using a similar scheme, you can get rid of scale using fresh lemons. Just replace the citric acid with large pieces of two chopped citrus fruits.
A mixture of salt and soda
A mixture of baking soda and salt can quickly remove small deposits without boiling. Moisten the surface of the kettle, take a small amount of the mixture onto a soft sponge and wipe with light movements.
Removing large layers of scale
All kettles, except electric kettles, are cleaned of old scale with a mixture of vinegar, soda and citric acid. Complex processing in several stages will be required.
In a kettle, dilute water with a tablespoon of soda and boil. Pour out the contents. Fill with water adding 1 tbsp. citric acid. Boil and keep at low simmer for half an hour. In the third stage, pour water into an empty kettle and 1/2 cup of vinegar. After boiling, simmer for another half hour. Drain the solution. After the procedure, plaque may remain on the walls, but it has already softened and can be removed with a sponge. To rinse the kettle, bring clean water to a boil and remove. Repeat several times.
Soda and acetic acid. The product is effective for thick plaque. But it cannot be used for an electric kettle. Take 2 tbsp. l. soda and 2 liters of water. Let the ingredients simmer for half an hour. Drain and fill clean, adding 1 tbsp. vinegar, boil for 30 minutes. The scale deposits will become soft and easy to clean with a sponge, after which you must rinse with water.
Cleaning the teapot
Baking soda does more than just remove scale after boiling water. Baking soda will also help to easily remove plaque and get rid of odors in a teapot. In a saucepan large enough to submerge the kettle, boil water with 4 tablespoons of soda and a glass of vinegar. Lower the teapot into the foam. Leave for 20-30 minutes, remove and rinse. The peculiarity of the method is that it cleans the inner surface of the spout, which is difficult to reach with a sponge and other methods.
If you carry out the procedure regularly, you can always enjoy the aroma and taste of tea.
How to eliminate odor in a new kettle
The new kettle must be washed before use. This can be done by boiling clean water 2-3 times. Boiling a soda solution helps to rinse and get rid of the smell. To do this, you need to pour 3 tbsp into the water. soda Allow the solution to cool and then rinse with water. The smell is completely eliminated.
Removing scale from an enamel kettle at home
The enamel teapot remains the most popular, despite the emergence electrical appliances. It is beautiful and practical. To keep it in good condition, it is necessary to carry out regular descaling. They do this in the following ways:
- Place finely chopped lemon in the middle, fill 2/3 of the volume with water and boil for 10-15 minutes. Leave until cool.
- With the help of cleanings. Skins from apples, pears or potatoes are suitable. You can use one type of cleaning or a mixture. Fill the kettle halfway, add water and boil for half an hour. Apple and pear peels not only remove scale, but also restore the color of the enamel.
- Popular and interesting way fight scale with carbonated water. Coca-Cola or Sprite will do. The liquid is poured until it is full. Heat to boiling and cool. After an hour or an hour and a half, the scale will dissolve.
- Using soda and vinegar. Pour baking soda (5 tablespoons per 2 liters of water) into boiling water. Boil for 25-30 minutes. Cool and drain the water. Fill the kettle with 1/4 cup. vinegar essence and 2 liters of water. Boil for 25 minutes. Pour out the contents and use a wooden spatula to separate the scale particles. After cooling, rinse the kettle.
Scale formation is promoted by excessive mineralization of water. Water must be purified using filters or purchased. Clean water is good for health and scale does not form.
Scale appears due to the contents of poor quality water impurities. During boiling, they settle on the walls of the kettle and spoil the taste of hot drinks. Scale also conducts heat poorly, so a dirty kettle will take longer to boil.
How to clean a kettle with vinegar
The method is suitable for very dirty teapots made of plastic, glass, and stainless steel.
You will need:
- ½ liter of water;
- 1 glass of 9 percent vinegar or 2 tablespoons of 70 percent vinegar essence.
Heat water in a kettle, then pour in vinegar or vinegar essence and leave the solution for an hour. During this time, the scale will soften. Rinse the inside of the kettle with a sponge, boil clean water again and drain it.
How to clean a kettle with lemon or citric acid
The method is suitable for electric kettles made of stainless steel, plastic or glass with a moderate layer.
Not suitable for enamel and aluminum kettles.
You will need:
- ½ liter of water;
- ¼ lemon or 2 tablespoons of citric acid.
Heat water in a kettle and add a piece of lemon or citric acid to the boiling water. Leave the scale to soak for 1-2 hours. Wash the kettle with a sponge and rinse thoroughly. After the first boil, the water will need to be drained.
How to clean a kettle with soda
The method is suitable for any teapots.
You will need:
- ½ liter of water;
- 1 tablespoon baking soda.
Stir the baking soda thoroughly in a glass of water until it dissolves completely. Pour the resulting liquid into the kettle, add the remaining water and boil it. Wait half an hour or an hour and heat the kettle again.
Now you can wash the kettle and boil clean water in it. True, you will have to pour it out afterwards.
How to clean a kettle with soda water
The method is suitable for stainless steel kettles heated on a stove.
Not suitable for aluminum, enamel and electric kettles.
You will need a bottle of any lemonade. The most famous option is cola, but it is better to use a colorless drink (it is important that the composition contains citric acid).
Let the opened bottle of lemonade sit for 2-3 hours to allow the gas bubbles to disappear. Then it’s simple: pour the drink into the kettle and bring to a boil. Then wash and rinse everything thoroughly.
How to clean a kettle with a peel
The method is suitable for enameled and metal teapots with a weak layer of scale.
Not suitable for electric kettles.
You will need:
- ½ liter of water;
- skin of 2–3 apples or pears.
Rinse the cleaning from dirt and sand, put them in a kettle and fill with water. Boil the liquid and leave to steep for one to two hours. A light layer of scale will come off on its own; rub stubborn stains with a dishwashing sponge. After rinsing, the kettle will shine like new.
If you have a particularly spacious kettle, and scale has accumulated on the walls, take more water than indicated in the recipes. The liquid should cover the dirt completely.
How to keep your kettle clean for a long time
- Fill the kettle with soft water. If you don't buy bottled, use a filter. Or at least let the tap water sit for several hours to allow impurities to precipitate.
- Boil water in a kettle no more than once. Better fill it with fresh one.
- Rinse the inside of the kettle at least once a day. And ideally before each use.
- For the sake of prevention, boil a filled kettle with one tablespoon of citric acid once a month.
On heating element The kettle and its walls form a coating, which is ordinary salt deposited on the surface. Before cleaning, you need to figure out what the reason is limescale. Sometimes the problem is the quality of the water: then it is necessary to replace it with a better one.
In order to remove scale, you will need the simplest products that most housewives have in their kitchens.
1. You will need 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 50 g of citric acid: pour vinegar into the kettle and then add lemon, boil the kettle and leave it with this mixture for 60 minutes. After the specified time, the plaque can be easily washed off with a sponge. If plaque remains from the first time, you can repeat the procedure. Sometimes lemon is used instead of citric acid.
2. Soda is an excellent way to clean an electric kettle. First, pour water into the kettle, then add 1 tablespoon of table salt, boil the water and leave for 30 minutes, then pour water into the kettle again, add 0.5 teaspoon of citric acid and put it on the fire again. After the water has cooled, you can start washing the kettle with a kitchen sponge.
3. Vinegar also helps to clean an electric kettle: pour a third of vinegar and two parts of water into the kettle, then boil the water and leave it to cool. The scale in the kettle will dissolve under the influence of acid, and then it can be easily washed.
4. One of the most unconventional cleansing methods is to use regular carbonated water. Pour water into the kettle, bring to a boil, and then drain. After this manipulation, the limescale should come off.
5. Keep in mind that stores have a large number of household chemicals for cleaning limescale. Sometimes such means are quite expensive, and the result is not so effective, so you can use methods.
Consider the following points:
1. After cleaning the electric kettle, it must be rinsed, otherwise the substances you used for cleaning may enter the body along with drinks.
2. The most the best remedy in the fight against scale - this is the daily care of your electric kettle.
In any water heating device from time to time we discover a treasure trove of minerals, namely deposits of magnesium and calcium salts from hard water. And if we always try to prevent the occurrence of scale in the dishwasher and washing machine, then what can we say about the kettle, where it not only worsens its performance and leads to breakdowns, but also harms the health of household members.
In this material, we have collected 6 of the most effective and affordable methods at home that will help you descale your kettle. Actually everyone's secret folk remedies very simple:
- Scale in a kettle or electric kettle is afraid of organic and inorganic acids, so almost all methods of removing it at home are based on the use of acid-containing products.
Method 1. How to descale an electric kettle using vinegar
Manufacturers of electric kettles do not recommend using vinegar to remove mineral deposits - after all, it is too aggressive. But sometimes you can’t do without this powerful remedy.
The method is suitable for: plastic, glass and metal teapots with a very large amount of old scale.
Ingredients: water - approximately 500 ml and vinegar 9% - a little less than 1 glass or vinegar essence 70% - 1-2 tablespoons.
Recipe: pour water into a kettle and boil it, then pour acetic acid into the boiling water and leave the scale to soak in the solution for 1 hour, during which you should periodically lift the lid and check how the process of scale is peeling off from the walls of the kettle. If the scale does not come off on its own, but only loosens, then it will need to be removed with a sponge. Be sure to boil water in a clean kettle once or twice and then rinse it thoroughly to remove any remaining vinegar.
Method 2. How to descale an electric kettle using citric acid
The method is suitable for: cleaning electric kettles made of plastic, stainless steel and glass with light or moderate dirt.
Ingredients: water - approximately 500 ml and citric acid - 1-2 tablespoons (depending on the degree of contamination). A quarter of a lemon can replace powdered acid.
Recipe: we also pour water into a kettle and boil it, then pour citric acid into the boiling water or put a quarter of a lemon and wait until the water cools down for about 1-2 hours (the acid that gets into hot water, “hisses”). If the scale is not old, it will come off on its own. Otherwise, you will have to put in a little effort. Remember to boil water in a clean kettle and then rinse it thoroughly.
Method 3. How to get rid of scale in a kettle of any kind using soda
Enameled and aluminum cookware is afraid of aggressive acids, so the first 2 methods of removing limescale are not suitable for them, but a regular soda solution can help you.
The method is suitable for: descaling both in conventional enamel and aluminum kettles, and in any electric kettles.
Ingredients: baking soda, or preferably soda ash – 1 tablespoon, water – approximately 500 ml (the main thing is that it covers all the limescale).
Recipe 1: to remove scale from the walls of an enamel or aluminum kettle, you must first mix soda with water, then bring this solution to a boil, and then leave it to simmer over low heat for half an hour. At the end of the procedure, wash off the remaining soda by boiling clean water once, draining it and rinsing the kettle.
Recipe 2: to clean Electric kettle soda, you need to boil water, make a soda solution, and then let it cool for 1-2 hours. A more gentle way is to pour soda into boiling water, and then leave the solution until it cools completely - during this time, the mineral deposits will become softer, and it will be easier to wash them off by hand.
Method 4. How to descale a kettle using Coca-Cola and Sprite
This method is not the most effective and economical, but why not try it for fun?
The method is suitable for: descaling in ordinary stainless steel kettles and electric kettles, but for enameled and tin kettles - with caution.
Ingredients: any carbonated drinks with citric acid in the composition are suitable - from Coca-Cola to Fanta. But it is better to take colorless drinks, for example, Sprite or Schweppes.
Recipe: First, release the gases from the drink, then pour 500 ml of liquid into the kettle and let it boil, and then cool. The result of the experiment can be seen in this video.
Method 5. How to remove scale from a kettle using apple or potato peelings
This product is suitable either for preventative care or if the limescale deposits are still weak.
The method is suitable for:
Ingredients: apple, pear or potato peelings.
Recipe: place apple, pear or washed potato peelings in a kettle, fill with water and bring to a boil. As soon as the water boils, leave the peel to cool for 1-2 hours, and then wash off the softened plaque with a sponge.
Method 6. How to descale a kettle using brine
Since brine contains organic acids, it can also be used to remove scale and rust. Therefore, if you have cucumber or tomato brine on hand, which, as often happens, has nowhere to put it, feel free to put it to work.
The method is suitable for: descaling conventional enamel and metal kettles.
Recipe: pour the brine into a kettle through a sieve (so that nothing extra remains in it), bring it to a boil, then leave the brine to cool for a couple of hours. Using a sponge, we remove any remaining limescale and rust and, finally, rinse the kettle clean with running water.
Scale (salt sediment) disrupts the functioning of the electrical appliance, and white and red flakes end up in the cup along with boiled water. At first this layer is just white coating, then it turns into stone, which is difficult to remove. I'll describe effective ways How to descale a kettle at home.
- Warn your family not to use the device temporarily.
- Fill the water up to the middle of the container.
- Add active ingredient.
- Turn on the device.
- Wait at least half an hour.
- Wash thoroughly inner surface.
To remove old fossilized plaque, use several methods at once or try again.
Traditional Effective Methods
The easiest way to clean an electrical appliance at home is with the help of improvised means:
- Soda - softens salt deposits.
- Acids - They even dissolve fossilized scale.
- Brush and sponge- will not damage the surface of the kettle walls, like their metal counterparts.
So, the main sediment fighters are soda and citric acid.
Method 1: Cleaning with baking soda
Baking or soda ash will help restore cleanliness to any electrical appliances (plastic, metal, ceramic). There are 3 ways to descale a kettle with soda:
| Image | Description |
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Method 1 - with soda ash
Recipe for multilayer scale:
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Method 2 - with baking soda and vinegar
Recipe for a small layer of salts:
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Method 3 - powerful complex from soda ash and citric acid
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Method 2: using acids
Any old deposits can be easily removed by acids:
| Acid | Application |
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Vinegar
To clean metal, ceramic and glass electric kettles:
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Two types of citric acid are used: powder and lemon.
Cleaning instructions:
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Cleaning a kettle from scale with oxalic acid:
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Lemonade contains phosphorus and citric acid
, eliminating sediment:
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Organic acids of the peel an apple will descale an electric kettle:
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Method 3: combined (for a thick layer of scale)
After such a powerful attack, all the scale will come off. This is a two-step cleansing process:
- Step 1: remove with soda and acid. Pour some soda into a saucer, add any acid from the table. Treat the entire coated surface with the resulting slurry. After 10 minutes, rinse.
- Step 2: Remove scale and odors. Cut the lemon into slices and place in the electric kettle. Boil water with lemon and leave for half an hour. Wash the device to remove loose residues.
Various household chemicals for scale removal
Except traditional methods, you can clean an electric kettle using chemical products specially designed for this purpose.
Their main components:
- Organic and mineral acids(citric, sulfamic, adipic).
- Sodium tripolyphosphate- the main product from the processing of phosphoric acid in expensive products.
- Soda.
These products also solve the problem of how to clean enamel teapot from scale. Available in liquid, powder or tablet form. Use strictly according to the instructions so as not to damage the equipment.
General scheme of how to get rid of scale special cleaners:
- Prepare the solution.
- Boil in a kettle.
- Then pour it out.
- Remove scale. Once softened, it can be easily removed.
- Boil clean water 2-3 times to flush out any remaining chemicals.
Conclusion
We found out that the choice of ways to remove scale from an electric kettle is quite large. Home remedies are not inferior in effectiveness to industrial ones, tested! Check out the video in this article, and you can ask questions in the comments.
