descaling a kettle

[oilandwater]

I'm not originally from these parts and so i have no idea how to descale a kettle. I have little packets of citric acid that came with my bottle sterilizer -- can I use those, and if so, how?

Hmm i'm not sure, i keep meaning to do ours! Not sure about the citric acid, but i believe denture tablets work very well (left in a full kettle overnight then rinsed well). As i say i haven't tried this (not that i watch 'how clean is your house' but never clean or anything)

I use viakal overnight - as long as you rinse it and then boil it and chuck the water out, it's fine.

I use citric acid on my kettle, its a stainless steel one if that makes a difference. I usually just put a teaspoon or so in and then fill up with as much water needed to cover the limescale. Keep the lid off when you do it though because it bubbles like crazy!

citric acid is perfect! put it in with some water & boil i usually open the top and leave it boiling for few minutes, rinse out and done, plus its made from lemons so safe to use

White vinegar: about 1/2 a litre bottle, some water (do NOT fill the kettle all the way), boil, leave overnight, wash out in the morning.

What letsblow said - you will be amazed with the shinyness!