Descaling with Home Remedies: Lactic Acid, Vinegar, and Citric Acid

Who hasn’t experienced this? The kettle runs slower, the coffee machine makes strange noises – time to descale! Many people turn to expensive specialty cleaners right away. But that’s not necessary! There are simple household remedies that work just as well (if not better) – and they’re much cheaper. Today I’ll show you my three favorites – including tips on what to watch out for.

Lactic acid is a true all-rounder. Even at low concentrations (around 5%), it removes limescale reliably – even without heating! It’s especially good for electric appliances that heat water, like kettles, coffee machines, or egg boilers.

Why lactic acid?
• Food-safe and leaves no residue
• Removes limescale thoroughly, even when cold
• Ideal for sensitive appliances

Tip: If you heat the mixture – just below boiling – it works even faster. But be careful: lactic acid can foam! So don’t fill the kettle completely.

Downside: The acid is usually highly concentrated – so like with many cleaners, it’s best to use gloves.

Vinegar works reliably and is widely available. It removes limescale even when cold, making it particularly useful for bathrooms.

Advantages of vinegar:
• Easy to use
• Removes limescale and kills germs
• Widely available and affordable

But caution: vinegar can attack plastics and rubber seals. That shortens the lifespan of seals – so better avoid using it in appliances.

Citric acid is also food-safe and works well against limescale – even without heating. It’s often already in the home and doesn’t damage seals.

BUT: Heating it causes residues to form! In devices like fully automatic coffee machines, this is counterproductive – the limescale is gone, but new deposits appear.

Which remedy you use depends on the application. All three are much cheaper than specialty descalers – especially in pure form. Personally, I prefer lactic acid: strong, safe, and residue-free. So: save money and get started!