Most of us probably use the kettle multiple times a day, but how often do you clean it?
Over time, the bottom of your kettle can become caked in limescale if you don't give it a scrub every now and then. Limescale can corrode the inside of the appliance, which means it won't last as long.
Luckily, it's easy enough to remove, according to kitchen experts who have revealed the "most effective" way of de-scaling your kettle - and you only need two ingredients to do it.
Mark Greig, head of supplier management at nationwide electrical appliance experts, Marks Electrical, told Express.co.uk: "Whether it’s being used to make a morning coffee or help boil rice for dinner, our kettle gets lots of use throughout the day.
"Unfortunately, over time this leads to white deposits, known as limescale, building up in kettles.
"Not only does limescale build-up ruin a nice cup of tea, it also affects the efficiency of the appliance as well.
"At a time when energy prices continue to rise, it’s never been more important to maintain your kettle and ensure it operates as efficiently as possible, reducing the overall cost of your bills."
He says the best way of cleaning off limescale is simply using white vinegar and water.
To do this, fill up the kettle with water and add some white vinegar, leaving it to soak overnight. In the morning, rinse it out and the limescale should be gone.
Another method recommended by an expert involves using baking soda and water. AO.com’s kettle expert, Katy Roberts, explained: "The most effective way to remove limescale from your kettle is to either use a dedicated descale product or a homemade mixture."
You can make this by mixing a teaspoon of baking powder with two cups of water and pouring it into the kettle, then boiling it several times for around 15 minutes.
Then, wait another 15 minutes for the water to cool and rinse it out, wiping it with a sponge to remove any excess limescale.
If you find you're having to de-scale your kettle all the time, it might be worth investing in a limescale filter.
Another common household ingredient with fantastic cleaning purposes is a lemon, which works the same as white vinegar to get rid of limescale.
Lemon juice, whether fresh or from a bottle, is one of the best natural cleaners thanks to its acidic nature, making it great for a variety of jobs.
Lara Brittain, Kitchen Expert at Currys, said: "Descale your kettle once a month to stop build-up using the above methods. Use a water filter to remove the limescale causing hard water. Also use a kettle descaler ball. Just pop it in your kettle and it’ll stop the build-up of limescale. You’ll just need to give it an occasional rinse."
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