Mornings, for most people, are hard to deal with. Good thing that most offices offer reliable ‘ol coffee to counter the drowsiness which is why the office kettle might probably be one of the most used appliances in the workplace.
Depending on how dependent you and your colleagues are on coffee, your office kettle is probably used more than a dozen times a day. With such frequency, it is important to keep your office kettle clean. But while it sounds easy, it’s not as simple as washing utensils, mugs, or plates. If done so, limescale will start to build up, causing more harm despite your good intentions.
It may not seem to be a serious issue, but avoiding having a nasty build-up of limescale will be useful. It would not only prevent unsightly discoloration and flakes but will also prolong the lifespan of your office kettle.
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Limescale or calcium carbonate is a chalky substance that is deposited and left behind when hot water evaporates, and the residue solidifies. It is a white deposit that is unsightly and has a rough texture. The higher the deposit, the harder the water is
Though it has no bad health implications, it can affect the taste and enjoyment of your breakfast brew. So, keeping it clean is a way to go.
Most modern kettles have some limescale prevention built into them, but it is not a foolproof solution. Usually, it is just a metal base plate that slightly prolongs the life of your office kettle.
When you find limescale in your office kettle, scrubbing it would probably be the first thing that would pop in your mind. But, that is not the practical solution to it.
Limescale would not be easily removed by simply scrubbing it. Scrubbing too hard might also damage the inner surface or the heating part of the kettle.
So, we listed some of the few ways on how to properly descale a kettle.
Using natural products in descaling is preferred by most as they are free from any chemicals, unlike store-bought products. So, here are some of the natural products you may use to clean your office kettle:
Vinegar is a common ingredient that is safe and easy to use.
Simply fill your kettle with 1 part of water and 1 part of vinegar and leave it to soak overnight. The limescale will be broken down overnight and will be easy to pour out in the morning.
Rinse the kettle thoroughly to remove the limescale and the vinegar residue.
Remember to put a note on the kettle. Early morning employees might accidentally use it for their morning cup of coffee.
Lemon is another common ingredient that can be used to properly descale your office kettle. It is also the best ingredient to use when you don’t have the time to descale overnight.
Simply take 30ml of lemon juice and mix it with 500ml of water. Remove the remaining water from the kettle and pour the lemon mixture into it. Leave it for an hour, then boil it.
After boiling, pour the lemon mixture and rinse the kettle. Boil it again with a fresh batch of tap water. Repeat the last process until the lemon scent is gone. And that is how to clean a kettle with lemon.
Tip: natural lemon juice is much more effective than those store-bought lemon juice especially for substantial limescale buildup.
Using your baking soda would not only be the most economical, but it is also the quickest way to clean your office kettle.
Simply fill your kettle with water and a teaspoon of baking soda. For large kettles, you should use two teaspoons. Boil it and let the hot solution rest for about twenty minutes.
Pour the solution and rinse the kettle with cold water. Repeat the procedure if needed.
There are some cleaning solutions available in stores ready for cleaning limescale. They could be in powder, liquid, and gel form.
Before using, it is important that you read and understand the procedures to ensure there will be no accidents and damages.
The schedule of how often you should clean your kettle depends on how much you use your kettle. The average schedule for cleaning is every 4-8 weeks. However, if there is a noticeable limescale build-up, especially in mugs, you should do it more often.
It is useful to know the different ways you can descale your kettle, but it is best if you know how you can prevent it to avoid it from being unmanageable.
The most effective way to prevent limescale build-up is by using a water softener. This is often installed in main pipes to treat your tap water. This is rather a costly solution, so another method is through purchasing water filters.
Water filters will not completely prevent the build-up of limescale but they will certainly help in reducing it.
Another tip, prevent leaving water inside the kettle. Unused water should be emptied and poured away and not left inside. This move will help prevent limescale build-up and prevent you from having to descale often.
Limescale may not directly affect your health but knowing how to clean and prevent it will make your teas and coffee break much more enjoyable. Not only that, but it will also prolong the life of your office kettle.
So, go check your kettle and see if there is a limescale build-up. Removing it is an easy task. You just need to know what to use, and how to use it.
For more cleaning tips, don’t hesitate to reach out and we’ll be here to help!
Burgos Cleaning Service, LLC Hartford CT – Commercial and Janitorial Cleaning Service
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