Once you've picked out the best kettle for your kitchen, you'll want to stock up with the best kettle descaler to keep it as good as new. As water courses through your kettle, it brings along a hidden challenge that can gradually diminish its performance and lifespan: limescale build-up. This is where you'll want your kettle descaler to hand.
Limescale build-up in kettles is primarily caused by the presence of minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, in the water that you use to fill the kettle. These minerals are naturally occurring and are often found in varying concentrations in different water sources. When the water is heated, these minerals can precipitate out of the water and form solid deposits, commonly referred to as limescale or mineral scale. The build-up of limescale can have several negative effects including reduced efficiency, taste and odour, an unsightly appearance and long-term damage.
Best kettle descalers at a glance:
• Best kettle descaler overall: Oust Powerful All Purpose Descaler - Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best environmentally efficient kettle descaler: Ecozone Kettle and Iron Descaler - Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best kettle descaler for ease: Chef Aid Stainless Steel Doughnut - Buy now on Amazon UK
Alongside regular cleaning, if you want to limit the amount of limescale going into your cup, you can opt for one with a limescale filter or a kettle design for hard water areas. Scroll down to take a look at the best kitchen descalers, helping to preserve the efficiency, taste, and longevity of your treasured kitchen appliance.
Best kettle descalers
Best kettle descaler overall
Tested
Yours/Natalie KnowlesLoved by Mrs Hinch herself, this pack of three treatment sachets are suitable for kettles, irons, coffee machines and shower heads. Promising results in just 10 minutes, slowly add the contents of the sachet into a boiled and unplugged kettle.
It's a cupboard essential for Natalie on the Yours team, who says: "It's very easy to use. Sit the kettle in the sink, half full with boiling water. Let it stand for a time and add a sachet. It effervescences, lifting limescale with it. Pour the solution down the sink. Finally, boil the kettle a couple of times with clear water to rinse.
It's an effective, value for money and easy solution to removing limescale. Just take care not to get it on your hands. Also, bear in mind not to get it in contact with the painted exterior of an appliance. If that happens, immediately wipe it off to avoid damage to the paintwork."
Pros
- Simple to use and it works in less than 10 minutes
- Very effective at removing limescale
- You can see it working
Cons
- May need two sachets for heavy-scale
Best environmentally-friendly descaler
EcozoneMade of an eco-conscious formula that is gentle on your appliances and the environment, Ecozone will effectively rid limescale from electrical appliances in your home. Boil your kettle, empty the contents of one sachet into the kettle, wait for 30 minutes and rinse.
Ecozone Kettle and Iron Descaler is an Amazon's Choice recommended product with 9,470 reviews rating it 4.4 out of 5. Customers say they used two sachets to get rid of stubborn limescale, but after that, one sachet a month is enough to keep buildup at bay. A customer comments that this citric acid-based formula is more effective at removing limescale than vinegar-based solutions, yet it's still all-natural and allergy-friendly.
Some customers commented that they needed to use all three sachets in order to remove their limescale buildup. But, given the cost, that's a small price to pay for the longevity of your kettle and better tasting tea.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Multipurpose descaler that cleans and protects your appliances
- Vegan and eco and allergy friendly product
Cons
- Takes 30 minutes which is longer than other products
Best kettle descaler liquid
HG descaler for appliances can effectively remove scale and limescale from your kettle, keeping it looking and working great. Combine 50ml of the liquid with half a litre of water and pour it carefully into the kettle.
This is another Amazon's Choice recommended product, with over 8,400 reviews rating it 4.4 out of 5. Customers love that the 500ml bottle is great value for money and much more cost-effective than buying sachets. However, there are mixed reviews about the effectiveness of this descaler, with some customers commenting that they had to use more product and leave it for longer than stated in the instructions.
Pros
- Can be used for multiple appliances and you get a generous amount per bottle
- Effective results and an Amazon's Choice recommended product
- Can be used in washing machines too
Cons
- Mixed opinions on the time it takes to remove limescale
Best kettle descaler for ease
Tested
Yours/Chef AidMade from rust-proof stainless steel, just pop this doughnut into your kettle and continue to use it as you normally would. Just be sure to rinse the descaler regularly to ensure a long life and to get rid of the limescale that it collects.
Our tester Yours writer Natalie Knowles said: "We live in a hardwater area so this is a must-have. It's effective at collecting the scale in a kettle. You can feel it get heavier as it collects up the scale over time. When I descale the kettle, I leave it in and it gets descaled as well. I think having a stainless steel kettle helps too."
With over 8,490 reviews on Amazon, rating it 4.1 out of 5, this little wire-wool doughnut is under £5 and helps catch scale. It's not a miracle, but it definitely helps.
Pros
- Just pop it in the kettle and leave it to collect limescale
- Lasts a long time and is reusable
- Budget-friendly and chemical-free solution to removing limescale
Cons
- You'll need to rinse the doughnut over time
Best for effectiveness
DUZZITSafe to use for both plastic and metal kettles, DUZZIT Kettle Descaler claims 100 per cent limescale removal. Simply half fill your kettle with water and allow it to boil, then unplug the kettle and drop in a single sachet, leave for 10 minutes before emptying, refilling and boiling again.
Duzzit is an Amazon's Choice recommended product with over 1,600 reviews rating it 4.4 out of 5. Customers praise the effectiveness of this descaler. They say it's worth using both sachets to get the best results on tough limescale. Some reviews comment that they left the product in their kettle for longer than the advised 10 minutes and it really did remove all of the limescale.
Some reviews have mixed opinions about its effectiveness, but if in doubt it's worth leaving the product in for a little longer as this seemed to work for some customers.
Pros
- Works in 10 minutes; perfect for busy lives
- Can be used in plastic and metal kettles
- Amazon's Choice recommended product and lots of positive reviews
Cons
- Only two sachets per packet
Best tablet descaler
This limescale remover from NATRUTH uses citric acid as the main ingredient, so it can quickly and effectively remove the built-up limescale. It takes 20 minutes to get to work and will transform your kettle.
We love that it's in tablet form and there's 20 tabs in a pack, so it works out at much better value than sachet alternatives.
Customers say that the product is easy to use, however it's not as strong or effective as other descalers. Reviews comment that they used two tabs – and sometimes more – in their kettle to remove limescale.
Pros
- Large pack that's good value for money
- Can be used for multiple appliances
- Perfectly portioned tablets
Cons
- May need two tablets for heavy-scale
Best fast acting descaler
Elbow Grease All Purpose Descaler is a budget-friendly three-pack of sachets that can remove limescale from kettles, coffee machines, irons and shower heads.
Our tester Yours writer Natalie Knowles said:
"I was very impressed with its fast-acting formula. I live in a hard water area, and tackling limescale buildup is a monthly chore. I boiled half a kettle of water and poured in one liquid sachet of Elbow Grease All Purpose Descaler. It immediately started fizzing. It significantly improved the inside of my plastic kettle in little more than 10 minutes. Tea and coffee now taste much better."
We recommend Elbow Grease for its ease of use, effectiveness and the speed at which it works.
Pros
- Tried and tested – it's fast-acting and effective
- Very easy to use and only takes 10 minutes
- Budget-friendly price, crucial if you're regularly descaling small appliances
Cons
- It would be great if there were more sachets in a packet
Kettle descaler FAQs
How to descale a kettle
You can use any of the products included above to descale your kettle, simply follow the instructions on the packaging. Alternatively, there are a few natural ways to descale a kettle that you can try too.
How often should you descale an electric kettle?
The frequency of descaling an electric kettle depends on the hardness of the water in your area and how often you use the kettle. Descaling is the process of removing mineral deposits (primarily calcium and magnesium) that build up over time from the water you boil. These deposits can affect the efficiency of the kettle and the taste of the water.
In areas with hard water (water that has a high mineral content), mineral deposits tend to accumulate more quickly. Here are some general guidelines:
Moderate hardness water: If you have moderate hardness water, it's a good idea to descale your electric kettle every 2-3 months. This should be sufficient to prevent a heavy buildup of mineral deposits.
Hard water: If you have hard water, you might need to descale your kettle more frequently, around once a month. The higher mineral content in the water leads to faster scale buildup.
Soft water: If you have soft water (low mineral content), you can descale your kettle less frequently, perhaps every 4-6 months.
Remember, these are just general guidelines. You should also consider how often you use the kettle. If you use it multiple times a day, you might need to descale it more often compared to someone who only uses it occasionally.
Ask the expert
Cleaning expert and Product Development Scientist at Astonish, Olivia Young, explains to Yours the importance of descaling kettles and how to do it safely.
"Descaling your kettle is crucial to maintain its efficiency and longevity. Over time, limescale builds up inside the kettle due to the minerals in water, particularly in hard water areas. This build-up can not only affect the taste of boiled water, but can also lead to longer boiling times, increased energy consumption, and potential damage to the kettle’s heating element.
"Common signs that your kettle needs descaling include white, chalky deposits on the interior surfaces, prolonged boiling times, and unusual noises during operation. If left untreated, limescale can significantly reduce the performance of your kettle and even cause it to stop working all together – not ideal if you’re craving a cuppa!
"To keep your kettle in top condition, it is recommended to descale it every four to eight weeks, depending on the hardness of your water. In regions with very hard water, more frequent descaling may be necessary.
"When descaling, it’s important to follow safety precautions to avoid any risks. Always use a descaler specifically designed for kettles, that is effective at removing limescale without damaging the appliance. Ensure the kettle is unplugged and cooled down before starting the process. Follow the instructions on the descaler’s packaging carefully and thoroughly rinse the kettle after descaling to remove any residual chemicals.
"Regular descaling with a reliable product not only ensures your kettle operates efficiently but also extends its lifespan, providing better tasting beverages and more energy-efficient performance."
Features & Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert has been a journalist since 2016 and has worked across a variety of specialist and lifestyle brands both in print and online. Specialising in travel content and product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases, her favourite being gadgets for the home.