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 overall: Oust Powerful All Purpose Descaler - view on Amazon UK
• Best environmentally efficient kettle descaler: Ecozone Kettle and Iron Descaler - view on Amazon UK
• Best kettle descaler for ease: Chef Aid Stainless Steel Doughnut - view 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.
The best kettle descalers
The best kettle descaler overall
Loved by Mrs Hinch herself, this pack of six boxes contains three treatment sachets in each that 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.
Customer review: "Finally had a chance to use it and it's great! I don't let scale build up too much but it still brings my kettle to brand new condition. Definitely recommend."
Pros
- Works in 10 minutes
- Large pack of 18 sachets
- Used by Mrs Hinch
Cons
- May need two sachets for heavy-scale
The best environmentally efficient kettle descaler
Made 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.
Customer review: "I used it to clean my kettle and coffee machine, and both appliances look like new again. The descaler effectively removed all the built-up limescale and grime, leaving my appliances sparkling clean. I appreciate that this product is eco-friendly and safe for use in my kitchen."
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Allergy-friendly
Cons
- Takes 30 minutes
The 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.
Customer reviews: "Doesn’t seem quite as potent as I’d hoped, but certainly loosens up any build-up quite well." and "Easy to use product. Very efficient."
Pros
- Can be used for multiple appliances
- Effective results
Cons
- Takes 40 minutes
The best kettle descaler for ease
Made from rust-proof long-lasting 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.
Customer review: "I am one year into using this product, and I am pleased to say it does the job! I descaled my kettle before inserting it, and have seen minimal amounts of limescale since (a small enough amount that it was easy to remove in one go). If limescale is a problem for you, then I think this product will do a good job at helping with it - You can just set it and forget it!"
Pros
- Easy to use
- Lasts a long time
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- You'll need to rinse the doughnut over time
Recommended
Safe to use for both plastic and metal kettles, half fill your kettle with water and allow it to boil, then unplug the kettle and drop in a single sachet, then leave for 10 minutes before emptying, refilling and boiling again.
Customer review: "If you live in a hard water area and you find your kettle always being clogged up with limescale then this product is exactly what you need. It works instantly and last."
Pros
- Works in 10 minutes
- Can be used in plastic and metal kettles
Cons
- Only 2 sachets
Recommended
This limescale remover from NATRUTH uses citric acid as the main ingredient, so it can quickly decompose and effectively remove the built-up limescale. It takes 20 minutes to get to work and will transform your kettle.
Customer review: "I usually keep it longer than it says on the package, due to high usage of the kettle and iron, and it does the job very quick and effective!"
Pros
- Large pack
- Can be used for multiple appliances
Cons
- May need two tablets for heavy-scale
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.
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.
