Every live-in carer has arrived somewhere at some point to find that the inside of the kettle looks disgusting, to say the least. 

Not only that, but the kettle also makes a horrendous noise when it is turned on, rattling its way to boiling point, and leaving you to wonder what exactly you are going to be making your coffee from!

What on earth is this about?

It’s all about limescale which will build up inside a kettle and leave very unpleasant chalky particles in your tea or coffee.

Limescale will also be the cause of stopping the kettle from working altogether if not taken care of.

You may also notice limescale buildup on things like taps, shower heads and in the toilet, although the kettle is one of the easiest places to miss.

Buildup of limescale causes high levels of magnesium and calcium and unless the issue is tackled, it will simply continue to do so.

How to get rid of limescale

• Unplug the kettle and wait for it to cool down

• Remove any loose pieces from the inside of the kettle

• Fill the kettle with ¾ full of either water and the juice of a lemon, or with equal parts household vinegar and water

• Stand for an hour

• Boil the kettle once if you have used vinegar, or three times if you have used lemon solution

• Let the water and kettle cool then rinse several times

Final thoughts

For kettles which are very scaly you can repeat the process, but normally the limescale will be removed after this process. Be aware that it will need to be done regularly to keep the kettle working well, and it also depends on the condition of the water where you are staying. 

Tags:

1

Go Back to Previous Page

Live in care jobs