Morphy Richards, a leading home and kitchen appliances brand, has confirmed that a 35p item available in UK supermarkets can effectively remove limescale from kettles. The item is white or distilled vinegar, with a 568ml bottle costing just 35p at Tesco.
Limescale buildup is a common problem in UK households, particularly in regions with hard water. The condition can affect the taste of hot beverages and, over time, damage the kettle's heating element.
How to descale with vinegar
According to Morphy Richards, a kettle filled with an equal ratio of water to white or distilled vinegar makes for a "cheap but effective solution for descaling your kettle." The steps are simple: pour the vinegar and water solution into the kettle and bring it to a full boil.
After boiling, allow the solution to sit for at least 30 minutes. Then, unplug the kettle, pour the solution down the sink, and rinse the inside thoroughly with water. To ensure no residue remains, fill the kettle with water, bring it to a full boil, and repeat if necessary.
Impact on taste and kettle lifespan
Morphy Richards notes that limescale buildup can flatten the taste and texture of tea and coffee, and small pieces of limescale may float in drinks. Additionally, if the heating element becomes covered in limescale, it can increase boiling time and have damaging effects on the kettle's lifespan.
While limescale itself is not harmful to health, it provides an adhesion point for bacteria to accumulate when the kettle is not in use, according to the brand.
UK regions prone to hard water
Morphy Richards explains that limescale builds up as a result of bicarbonate minerals in hard water. Regions particularly prone to hard water include the South and South West (Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Bath, and Bristol), London and the South East (London boroughs, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, and Berkshire), and East Anglia (Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire, including Ipswich and Norwich).
