Kettles will be free of limescale if you do one 5-minute job - no chemicals

If you live in an area with hard water, you'll know how much of a nightmare that limescale can be. This chalky white mineral deposit can quickly build up around any areas you often find water, such as taps, showers and kitchen appliances too.

Kettle limescale can be a real issue, because if it's left to build up for too long, it can end up insulating the heating element and making your appliance less efficient. There's also the risk of the limescale flaking off and ending up in your cuppa, which nobody wants. Thankfully, there's an easy five-minute solution - and it doesn't involve any chemicals at all.

According to the experts at Good Housekeeping, cleaning limescale off your kettle is one of the quickest household chores you can do, and it's very low-effort.

Instead of any pricey cleaning products, all you need to do the trick is some white vinegar. You'll be fully aware that this cupboard staple can be used for so many different household tasks, from polishing mirrors to wiping down kitchen hobs - and descaling the kettle is another.

If you don't already have a bottle at home, you can buy one for as little as 35p from Sainsbury's, making it the perfect budget-friendly cleaning hack.

How to descale your kettle in minutes

Start by filling up your kettle to just under half capacity with water and start to boil it, switching it off right before it starts to bubble.

Then, pour in your white vinegar until your kettle is about three quarters full. Leave it overnight if possible, or at least for a couple of hours, making sure you don't accidentally use it to make a cup of tea during this time.

In the morning, pour the water away, fill it up with fresh water and boil it again to remove any traces of limescale. Then tip away once time's up and boil it at max capacity with fresh water to remove any traces.

Although it can take time for the white vinegar to get rid of the limescale, when it comes to hands-on work, it only takes a matter of minutes. This low-effort trick doesn't require any scrubbing, and it's the perfect chemical-free way to get rid of that pesky limescale build-up inside your kettle.