Over time, electric kettles accumulate white, chalky limescale buildup because of minerally hard water. However, you don’t need to scrub it off, as a kettle can do the job itself.

All you need to descale a kettle are water and distilled apple cider, or white wine vinegar. You can also use lemon juice, but it leaves a flavor behind if not rinsed thoroughly.

Mix vinegar and water in a 1:3 ratio — or a 1:1 ratio if there’s a lot of build-up — and fill the carafe to its maximum volume line. Boil the mixture in the kettle for a while.

Turn the kettle off and let the solution sit for 20 or 30 minutes before pouring it out. Boil and drain one to two more carafes filled with water and wash the vinegar away.

When you boil the mixture, the friction, heat, and vinegar's dissolving abilities descale the kettle without harsh scrubbing, keeping its heating mechanism and material intact.