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Now descale the washing machine and dishwasher with natural home remedies. With our instructions, you can descale your washing machine and dishwasher properly and prevent damage. Consequently, you should remove limescale deposits regularly.

Calcified household appliances no longer work properly, they consume more electricity and break down more quickly. You should therefore descale your washing machine and dishwasher regularly. This saves hassle, time, and money. Remove limescale deposits with vinegar, lemon, and co.

Hard water leads to limescale deposits

Hard water can attack electronic devices. Especially after a long period of time, limescale deposits on all components that come into contact with tap water: hoses, heating elements, spray arms. The hotter a component gets, the faster it calcifies. The heating elements in washing machines and dishwashers are therefore particularly affected. How strong depends on the temperature and the degree of hardness of your tap water.

How often do you descale the machines?

If you have hard water, you should descale your devices two to three times a year. But if your water is soft, it is sufficient to remove limescale deposits from the washing machine and dishwasher once a year. This usually does not require any special cleaners or decalcifiers, simple and natural household remedies can often remove limescale effectively. Please also note our tips for cleaning the bathroom and removing limescale.

Prevention of limescale deposits

A dash of vinegar with each wash protects against limescale deposits and makes your laundry fresh and soft. In addition, you can occasionally add a packet of baking soda or baking soda to the normal wash or rinse cycle. The following applies to the dishwasher: Even if you use dishwasher tabs that already contain water softeners, you should always use coarse special salt.

Instructions for descaling the washing machine

It doesn’t take much to descale your washing machine. You can follow our simple step-by-step instructions for this. You should also clean your washing machine regularly.

Home remedies to remove limescale

If you want to do without too many chemicals in the household, you can use environmentally friendly and inexpensive household remedies. Because it can be used to remove limescale from your devices just as easily. You can also use natural home remedies to descale your kettle. Or clean and descale your sink with simple household items. The following home remedies are good for removing limescale deposits:

1) Descale with citric acid

The use of citric acid can effectively dissolve limescale deposits on household appliances. You can buy lemon juice concentrated cheaply in small yellow plastic lemons at any grocery store. Then, to descale the washing machine, dissolve the contents of a plastic lemon in 0.5 liters of water and pour the mixture into the drum as described above. To descale the dishwasher, fill the undiluted concentrate into the powder compartment up to the edge.

2) Vinegar against limescale

Using vinegar can also descale your washing machine. But it also has disadvantages. Because most manufacturers of washing and rinsing appliances point out that vinegar could attack the seals and plastic hoses of the appliances. Nevertheless, many swear by the inexpensive limescale remover. To descale, pour 0.5 liters of household vinegar directly into the machine, as described above, and start a washing or rinsing program that is as hot as possible. When using vinegar essence, a quarter of a liter is enough.

3) Use the home remedy baking soda

Although using the household remedy baking soda alone does not dissolve limescale, it does make the water softer. This way you can avoid limescale deposits. In combination with vinegar, baking soda becomes a sparkling clean. Soda strengthens the lime-dissolving effect of the acetic acid and also frees the machine from soap and grease residues. Consequently, a good household remedy for washing machines and dishwashers.

4) Commercial descalers

You can also descale your devices with special cleaners. Because the specialist trade offers a variety of descalers that can remove limescale deposits from your device quickly, efficiently, and thoroughly. You should definitely observe the respective instructions for use. You can also find many types of descalers on the Internet, such as descaling coffee machines.

Almost everyone owns a kettle these days. And everyone knows it: after a while, limescale builds up. Then it can take an eternity for the water to boil and the kettle becomes a power guzzler. That’s why we have instructions for descaling the kettle with natural home remedies.

This practical kitchen appliance has replaced the good old tea kettle in many households. They are available in both small and large versions. And with it, you can prepare tea in no time at all. But when it calcifies, it no longer works well. Then vinegar, baking soda, and co. will help you.

Causes of the lime deposits

The reason for a calcified kettle is usually hard water. Because then limescale forms in the cooker. And this settles mainly on the heating element and in the interior of the container. As a result, in regions where the water is medium or very hard, many experiences the problem more often. At the latest when the cooking time has doubled, you should do something. Because that costs unnecessary energy. Under no circumstances should you wait until there are lime residues in the water. Because lime eats away at the heating element and thus ruins the device. In addition, bacteria can be found in lime. And so it becomes a power guzzler. Consequently, you should use natural home remedies to remove limescale deposits.

Natural home remedies for descaling the kettle

Our grandmothers used natural home remedies and they have not lost their effectiveness. So when it’s time to descale your kettle, don’t use chemical cleaners. Because you can operate it with simple household items, such as the following. In addition, a properly functioning one ensures less energy consumption and thus makes a small contribution to environmental protection in the household.

1) Combat limescale with vinegar essence

The effective household remedy vinegar is a good way to clean your kettle and remove the limescale deposits. All you have to do is fill your kettle with about 1 liter of water. Then add a small cup of vinegar essence and let it boil. You should open the windows to counteract the strong smell. Then leave the mixture on for 1-2 hours. After dumping the vinegar water, run the kettle full of water at least 2 more times. Brown limescale in the toilet can also be removed with vinegar.

2) Descale the kettle with citric acid

If your kettle is only slightly calcified, you can cut a lemon in half. Then clean the stove with the cut surface. You should squeeze out the lemon juice well. Then rinse off with clear water. If you need to remove stubborn limescale from your kettle, you can also buy powdered citric acid and boil it in the water. In addition, note our tips for descaling and polishing the sink.

3) Baking soda and baking powder for descaling

The all-rounder baking soda and the popular household remedy baking powder can also be used for descaling. To descale the kettle with baking soda, you need to add about 1 tablespoon of baking soda to 200 ml of water. Then let the mixture boil. Then let the mixture sit for an hour before dumping it out. Then rinse it out well or run two more passes with normal water. Also, note our tips for descaling washing machines and dishwashers.

Instructions for descaling and cleaning the kettle

For a better overview, we have created step-by-step instructions for descaling the kettle using natural home remedies. So nothing can go wrong and your kettle is ready for use again. Depending on the severity of the calcification, you can repeat the process several times.

Prevent limescale in the kettle

You should descale your kettle regularly to prevent limescale deposits. You can also filter your water beforehand. This way you prevent the hard water from attacking the kettle. And such water filters are not expensive. The water also tastes better then.

Coffee is the Germans’ favorite drink and in many households, a fully automatic coffee machine is part of the kitchen equipment. However, you can only get coffee at the push of a button in the long run if the device is properly cared for and maintained. That’s why we have tips on how to properly clean and descale fully automatic coffee machines.

Why clean the coffee machine?

One factor that you should not neglect when using a modern fully automatic coffee machine is the cleaning effort of the machine. Proper cleaning of the machine is essential. This often depends on how the milk froth is prepared. Depending on the system, you have to spend a lot of time cleaning and maintaining the milk circuit. After all, you have to be meticulous about hygiene when using milk. Otherwise, bacteria have free rein. Mold also thrives in damp coffee residues, which is why a coffee machine can become a potential source of germs.

Clean the coffee machine properly

In the best case, you have a fully automatic coffee machine that is easy to clean. In addition to the milk froth unit, you have to clean other components of a fully automatic machine regularly in order to be able to rely on good taste and perfect functioning over the long term. Therefore, heed the following tips for cleaning fully automatic coffee machines:

  • The Brew Group should be detachable for easier cleaning.
  • Follow cleaning cycles to the letter.
  • Carry out decalcifications regularly.
  • Rinse the water tank daily.
  • Clean collection containers, collection trays, and accessible hoses daily.
  • Dishwasher-safe individual parts can be put in the dishwasher, which makes work easier.
  • Coffee fats only dissolve at a water temperature of 60 degrees. Therefore, the machines should have a special cleaning program.

When to descale the coffee machine?

It is important to clean and descale the coffee machine regularly so that the machine can function properly and give you many years of pleasure. Scale is the machine’s worst enemy. Limescale deposits clog the pipes and have a negative effect on the aroma. Depending on how hard the water is, you will need to descale more or less often. As a rule, it is advantageous to descale every three months. Modern devices offer the option of storing the water hardness and automatically prompting you when it is time to tackle the next decalcification. But the following signs also indicate that your device needs to be decalcified:

  • lack of temperature of the coffee,
  • bland taste or
  • too little water pressure.

Important after descaling:

After descaling the coffee machine, two to three runs with clear water are necessary to remove all residues from the machine. After that, it is ready to be used again to deliver an aromatic coffee.

How to properly descale a fully automatic coffee machine?

Even if cleaning vinegar has generally proven itself in the household, you must not use it for the coffee machine. Because then the plastic parts of the coffee machine can be damaged. It is therefore best to rely on the descaling agent recommended by the manufacturer. Use it as indicated in the instructions for use. You can collect the cleaning water in a sufficiently large container and use it to descale other devices, e.g. a kettle.

Alternatives to the recommended descaling agent

Descaling coffee machines require little effort, but has a big effect: it guarantees many years of good coffee from a reliably functioning machine. In addition, note tips for descaling the washing machine and dishwasher and simple instructions for descaling the kettle.

Since the agents recommended by the manufacturer are usually quite expensive, decalcification is often delayed. However, this can be quite expensive for you. Because such a lack of or no decalcification reduces the service life of the coffee machine. In addition, repairing this machine is very expensive if you do not carry out the maintenance properly and regularly. If you want to do without expensive manufacturers’ products, use descaling agents from household specialty stores or supermarkets. But note that these are not suitable for all coffee machines. Consequently, read the description on the bottle or packaging carefully! And as already mentioned, alternative agents such as cleaning vinegar, which is ideal for removing limescale in sinks or flower vases, are harmful to the coffee machine.

Frequently asked questions and answers

  • Why do you have to clean a fully automatic coffee machine?
    Bacteria and mold can collect in coffee and milk residues. Consequently, if the machine is not cleaned regularly, it can adversely affect health. In addition, regular cleaning and descaling increase the service life of the device.
  • How do I clean a fully automatic coffee machine?
    You should follow the recommended cleaning cycles. It makes sense to clean the water tank, collection container, and accessible hoses daily or at least every two to three days. Dishwasher-safe individual parts can go in the dishwasher. In addition, the machine should have a special cleaning program so that coffee fats dissolve (from temperatures of 60 degrees).
  • When do I have to descale a fully automatic coffee machine?
    Regular descaling is essential and often depends on the hardness of the water. However, as a rule, regular decalcification every three months applies. Further indications of a necessary decalcification are insufficient temperature of the coffee, bland taste or low water pressure,
  • How does the descaling of a fully automatic coffee machine work?
    For descaling, the coffee machine, use a descaling agent recommended by the manufacturer. Then put this in the machine and follow the instructions for use. Consequently, you avoid short-term and expensive repairs to the device.
  • What alternative cleaning agents are possible for descaling?
    Manufacturers of descaling agents are usually expensive. Therefore, use descaling agents from specialist shops or supermarkets as an alternative. However, note their suitability for fully automatic coffee machines. Do not use vinegar as a descaling agent, as this could damage plastic parts.