'Nightmare' stain leaves owner fearing their appliance is ruined, but the fix is simple

The first time I ever saw limescale in a kettle I feared it was mould and was horrified by the thought.

It seems I'm not the only one, with another so shocked by the stain inside their kettle they've asked Reddit for help with their self-described "tea kettle nightmare".

In this case, they're worried the mark has come from something that's burned the inside and potentially wrecked it.

"I'm embarrassed I let it get to this. I just assumed it was self cleaning? Can I clean this or has that burned through something omg," they said alongside an image of the stain.

Thankfully, the stain looks like standard limescale that has built up over a long time, which has been confirmed by multiple responses to the Reddit post.

"It's fine. Minerals aren't scary. They're gross looking but just minerals. They usually make water taste better," one said.

"That's likely just limescale from hard water," another wrote.

READ MORE: Experts reveal the common item to risky to hand wash

READ MORE: How often toilet brushes need replacing to keep your bathroom clean

READ MORE: We're not cleaning skirting boards enough and it's making homes less healthy

The original poster was relieved to find out the unsightly mark isn't a cause for concern and that the solution is so simple.

Redditors suggested cleaning hacks ranging from boiling water with citric acid, vinegar or baking soda (bicarb soda) scrubbing with a brush if needed and rinsing afterwards.

"Can't edit this post but I've used everyone's tips and the kettle is cleaned!! Thank you!" the kettle owner said.

Having tried all the hacks myself, I can confirm citric acid is the quickest and easiest to use. It works so well I've never had to scrub or wipe inside the kettle after using it, which I had to do with vinegar.

There's even instructions for cleaning kettles with citric acid on the back of McKenzie's citric acid cans – it couldn't be easier.

All you need is two tablespoons of citric acid which you add to a litre of water, boil that and leave it for 15 minutes before pouring out and rinsing.

View gallery

The best kitchen cleaning hacks that actually work

The Reddit thread also had tips for preventing limescale building up so much, with one suggesting pouring excess water out of the kettle "and [leaving] the lid open to air dry the kettle" helps.

Don't worry about wasting water by pouring the excess out if you try this because experts recommend only boiling what you need each time for better tasting tea and less electricity usage.

Kettles should be descaled monthly for regular uses or every few months if you don't use them that often.

It's also worth noting that not knowing what a stain is or that something needs cleaning isn't something to be embarrassed about because you don't know what you don't know.

And you're likely not the only one, as evidenced by my own experience and that of others who commented on the Reddit post.

"Thank you for posting this because my electric tea kettle is doing this too!" one said, to which the original poster replied, "We got us."

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.