However, this doesn't mean that limescale isn't a problem. Metal kettles can still get coated on the inside and on the base plate with limescale which, if dislodged, leaves unappealing chalky bits in the water. Plastic kettles are made of polypropylene, which doesn't attract scale, but the metal base plate will.
Sterilisation and exposure to high-temperature water can release 16 million plastic particles per litre, the study found.
TL;DR: Cleaning your kettle with non-toxic products does the trick! Make a simple solution of either: bicarbonate of soda, water & lemon; water & bicarbonate of soda: OR white vinegar & water - boil & clean with a microfibre cloth.
Russell Hobbs Purity Glass Brita Kettle
The built-in MAXTRA+ advanced filtration technology also reduces limescale and chlorine as well as other impurities, ensuring you're sipping nothing but pure water every time. An alert in the kettle will tell you when the cartridge needs replacing.
What is this? The safest tea kettle material is borosilicate glass – it can resist high temperatures, so you can use it on your stovetop without causing any damage. Stainless steel is another of the safest materials for non-toxic kettles that won't leach heavy metals into the water.
Fill the kettle ¾ full with either water and one lemon, or with equal parts water and household vinegar. Let it soak for one hour. Boil the kettle (three times for lemon, once for vinegar) Allow it to cool, then rinse thoroughly several times.
For a 1-liter electric kettle, use 1/4 cup of vinegar and 3/4 cup of water. If your electric kettle is larger, try 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 1/2 cups water. Bring the water and vinegar to a boil, turn the kettle off then let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse it out several times with fresh water to flush away the buildup.
For a hassle-free and cheap way to descale a kettle, fill it with a mixture of half white vinegar and half water, and leave to soak overnight. (Make sure the kettle is unplugged and there's a note on it so nobody uses it accidentally!) In the morning, the limescale will come off easily.
Choosing a natural limescale remover is often a cheaper and more environmentally friendly approach to removing limescale from your kettle. Any mild acid should do the trick; things like white vinegar and water mixed together, or lemon juice work well, wiped down with a damp cloth.
A plastic casing is lightweight. The plastic casing doesn't get as hot as a metal or glass kettle. The only disadvantage is that a plastic kettle is less durable than a metal kettle. Due to this, it won't last as long.
The primary disadvantage of using a plastic kettle is the susceptibility to chemicals. Due to the presence of a chemical called BPA in plastics, boiling water in a plastic kettle can be hazardous, as they can leach into liquids during the heating process and be absorbed by the body.
Most plastic items release a tiny amount of chemicals into the beverages or food they contain. As temperature and time increase, the chemical bonds in the plastic increasingly break down and chemicals are more likely to leach.
Limescale cleaners can be hazardous and can dissolve certain plastics and damage human skin.
The Removal Process:
Combine white vinegar and water, in equal parts, in the spray bottle. Spray the stained area and allow it to soak for at least 15 minutes. If the piece is not laying flat, you can place a cloth that has been moistened with the solution on top of the stain (or tie it around the area)
Use a tub/tile/sink cleaner; nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner; or a paste of baking soda and water. Apply the cleaner to the surface or on a damp sponge and rub gently. Rinse or wipe clean. Specialty products are available.
Alternatively, you can make a paste using half a cup of baking soda and a few drops of water, then use a clean toothbrush to scrub off sections of limescale inside and out. Rinse well and boil the kettle a couple of times before the next use.
Limescale found in hard water is not harmful to drink, in fact some prefer the taste compared to soft water.
Are plastic tea kettles safe? Absolutely no! Plastic kettles leach endocrine disrupting chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) &/or Phthalateschemicals that can seriously affect your health.
These hard calcium deposits are known as limescale, and they form in both electric and stovetop kettles when hot water evaporates and leaves solid minerals behind. Limescale is unsightly, can make your tea taste unsavory and, if it's neglected too long, can shorten the life of your tea kettle.
The white spots are the result of scale build-up on the heating element and on the inside of the kettle over time. The harder the water, the faster scale builds up. Scale can occur in different colors. Although scale is harmless, too much scale can influence the performance of your kettle.
Cleaning a kettle using lemon and water
The lemons will not just destroy the limescale but will also brighten up the kettle's interior and provide a pleasant, refreshing smell.
A glass marble placed in a tea kettle and left in there permanently will keep limescale at bay! It bounces around when you boil the kettle chipping away at any limescale!