A cleaning enthusiast has shared a cost-effective way to remove limescale from kettles using white vinegar, a household staple that costs just 57p. The trick involves a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water, which breaks down the chalky deposits that build up inside kettles, particularly in hard-water areas.
The Simple Hack
Paul, from the MGTracey YouTube channel, demonstrated the method after showing the thick layer of limescale in his kettle at his home just outside London. Describing his area as having hard water, he told viewers that instead of using a specialist descaling product, he used a solution made from 50% white vinegar and 50% water.
He explained: “We’re going to use a mixture of 50% white vinegar and 50% water to clean both of those.” For his kettle, Paul measured out around 300ml of vinegar before adding another 300ml of water. Part of the mixture was used to soak the kettle's removable filter, while the remainder was poured into the kettle and brought to the boil.
Why It Works
Paul warned that while limescale itself was not particularly harmful, allowing deposits to build up could take its toll on appliances. He said: “It will shorten the life of anything that boils water really, because it builds up. It means that your appliance uses more power and may eventually fail.”
The results on the filter were visible within minutes. After soaking it for around four or five minutes, Paul said: “It’s dissolved all that limescale already, so there your filter is as good as new.” Once the vinegar and water mixture had boiled, he allowed the kettle to cool before rinsing it several times.
Severe Cases and Cost
People dealing with particularly severe deposits may need to repeat the process. Paul said: “If your kettle is very bad and hasn’t ever been done then you might find you need to do it a couple of times.” After completing the clean, he said the bottom of the kettle had “come up brilliantly”, although some deposits around the edges remained and would require another treatment. He added: “You can see that it’s so much better.”
The whole job took around 15 minutes, with Paul saying the kettle was “well on the way back to looking and performing like it did when new”. White vinegar is widely available at supermarkets, with Asda currently listing a one-litre bottle of its Classic Distilled Vinegar for 57p. Prices can vary between stores and change over time.
Step-by-Step Guide
To descale a kettle with vinegar: pour 300ml of white vinegar into the kettle, add 300ml of water, bring to boil, pour out the mixture, rinse several times until the smell of vinegar has vanished, and wipe down the outside with a microfibre cloth with some diluted vinegar on it. To prevent limescale, pour out any excess water from the kettle after use. It is also possible to purchase a kettle descaler, a steel mesh ball that collects limescale when placed inside the kettle.
