How to remove limescale: kettle, shower, taps and coffee machine

Citric acid dissolves limescale very well. With the right mix and a little patience, a kettle, coffee machine or shower head is clean again in half an hour.

What you need

Citric acid powder (sold as a descaler in supermarkets and chemists) or white vinegar, a jug, a soft brush and an old toothbrush. Citric acid smells of nothing and is gentler on rubber seals than vinegar.

Kettle

Half fill the kettle, add two tablespoons of citric acid, bring it to the boil, switch off and leave it for 20 minutes. Pour it away, rinse twice and boil one kettle of clean water to throw away. Never boil vinegar in a kettle: it smells strongly and the steam stings.

Shower head and taps

Unscrew the shower head if you can and soak it in warm water with citric acid for 30 minutes. If it will not come off, fill a freezer bag with the mix, tie it round the head and leave it. Brush the nozzles, rinse and run the shower for a minute. For taps, wrap a cloth soaked in the mix round the spout, then scrub and rinse.

Coffee machine

Follow the maker's instructions first. Most machines descale with a mild citric acid solution run through a full cycle, followed by two cycles of clean water. Do not use vinegar in espresso machines unless the manual allows it.

Things not to do

Do not mix acid descalers with bleach or other cleaners.
Do not use acid on natural stone such as marble: it etches the surface.
Do not scrape scale off with metal tools: you will scratch the surface and scale returns faster.