High levels of calcium and magnesium can exist in your tap water, and while drinking these minerals cannot harm your health, they can leave hard water deposits, known as lime scale, inside your aluminum kettle and your appliances. Over time, the hard water deposits build inside your kettle and form a hard coating of scale that becomes the perfect host for bacterial growth. Removing the scale from inside an aluminum kettle keeps the kettle clean and free from disease-causing bacteria and reduces the amount of damage the scale can eventually cause.
Add 1 to 2 cups of white distilled vinegar to 1 to 2 cups of water. Pour the vinegar and water mixture into the aluminum kettle.
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Allow the mixture to continue to boil for three to five minutes.
Allow the vinegar and water to cool to room temperature for at least an hour. Pour the mixture from the kettle and discard it. Repeat the steps for aluminum kettles with heavy scale buildup.
Rinse the kettle with clean, hot water to remove any traces of scale and vinegar. Fill the kettle with clean water and allow it to come to a boil over high heat to clean the inside of the kettle thoroughly. Discard the water.
Purchase a product designed for removing scale from pots, pans and utensils. Make sure the product label indicates it is safe to use on your aluminum kettle.
Dilute the product in water by following the dilution scale on the product’s label if applicable. For example, some products may require you use 1 part solution mixed with 10 parts water. Pour or spray the mixture inside the kettle. Let the mixture sit in the kettle for no more than 10 minutes.
Scrub the inside surface with a nonabrasive scrub sponge. Rinse the inside of the kettle with clean water several times to remove any traces of the mixture.
Things You Will Need
- White distilled vinegar
- Scale-removing product
- Nonabrasive scrub sponge