Cleaning (descaling) my water distiller

[sport]

I was supplied with a chemical cleaner when I purchased but I do not want to use it.
I have googled but can not find any suggestions. Any good ideas.

[rawzeit]

I don't have a water distiller but I do have a water cooker and to get rid of the chalky stuff I simply boil a pot of water mixed with plain vinegar. Maybe you can do that and throw it into your distiller (I have no idea how distillers work).

[StarFire]

yeah.. vinegar - I'll bet that would work - don't people use that to clean out coffee machines too?

Maybe check with your hfs - maybe they would have a suggestion.... ;)

[RowanC]

We just scrub ours each time with a stiff brush and hot water.

[exurb]

when I bought my old one many years ago, vinegar is exactly how they told me to de-scale it. If it is not effective enough, you can even get stronger vinegar, such as pickling vinegar or even stronger. (acetic acid)

I would think that should work if it's not years of scale. There is a de-scaling chemical that is pretty common and not one of the really gross, toxic complex chemicals. I can't remember if it's an acid or a base, but it's a pretty "basic" non weird, naturally occurring acid or alkaline. I will try to conjure what that is if you need something stronger. But I'm thinking the vinegar will totally take care of you anyway.

[sport]

Just added vinegar to the shopping list.
I am a person who only reads instructions after something has broken down so it was only yesterday that I realised that I should clean it after every use. I was in the habit of cleaning it before use and by that time the build up had started as any residue had settled in.
Thanks all.