Clean limescale in the kettle with the help of this ingredient

If you see white spots inside your kettle, they are most likely caused by limescale – a hard substance that forms from minerals in water when it heats and evaporates.

Over time, this limescale can damage the kettle's heating element, causing it to take longer to boil and eventually break.

In addition, limescale can also affect the taste of tea, making it bitter and creating white particles that float in your cup – so it's a good idea to clean your teapot as soon as possible.

There are many ways to remove limescale – including cleaning chemicals or strong-smelling vinegar – but expert Chris Bolt from the organization Green Citizen shares his favorite method: citric acid.

"Your kettle will have more limescale buildup if you have hard water. But when you add citric acid to hot water, magic happens. The acid begins to attack and dissolve the limescale," the expert claims.

What is citric acid?

Although the name may sound strong, citric acid is a natural substance found in citrus fruits like lemons and oranges. It's a weak acid that's often used in the food industry to prevent food spoilage — but it's also very effective for cleaning limescale.

Limescale is mainly composed of calcium, which begins to foam and dissolve when it comes into contact with citric acid – so cleaning is done without the need for scrubbing.

How to use citric acid to clean your kettle:

Fill the kettle halfway or just enough to cover the limescale stains;

Add two teaspoons of citric acid;

Boil the water;

Let it sit for about 10 minutes to give the acid time to act;

Pour out the water and rinse the kettle with cold water.