Buzz
An electric kettle is a convenient tool for boiling water, used for tea, beverages, or cooking. Since the water is boiled repeatedly, mineral buildup can occur, leading to limescale deposits or 'kettle scale'. These deposits can mix with your tea or food, and they also slow down the heating process. To clean your electric kettle, try using a vinegar or lemon and baking soda solution to remove stubborn stains and wipe down the exterior.
Steps
Use White Vinegar Solution
Prepare the vinegar solution. Vinegar can help eliminate kettle scale and remove hard water deposits. Mix equal parts water and white vinegar. Pour the solution into the kettle, filling it about halfway or three-quarters full.
Boil the solution in the kettle. To clean the inside of the kettle and remove limescale, boil the kettle with this solution inside. Let it boil completely.
- If there is a lot of scale in the kettle, increase the amount of vinegar in the solution. Boil again.
Soak the solution in the kettle. Once the solution is boiling, turn off the kettle and unplug it. Let the solution sit in the kettle for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, pour the solution out.
- If there's a lot of buildup, leave the solution in the kettle longer.
Scrub the inside. If there is heavy scaling, use a non-metallic cloth or sponge to scrub the inside of the kettle after soaking it in the vinegar solution for a while.
- Make sure not to scrub the heating element at the bottom of the kettle.
Rinse to remove the vinegar. Rinse the kettle with water. You may need to rinse multiple times to remove the vinegar smell. Wipe the inside of the kettle with a cloth. Let it air dry.
- If there's still a vinegar taste or smell in the kettle, boil water in the kettle once more and pour it out. This will help clear the vinegar smell. Boil the water several times if the smell or taste persists.
Clean with other solutions.
Use lemon solution. If the kettle manufacturer recommends not using vinegar for cleaning, you can substitute with lemon. Prepare a lemon and water solution. Squeeze a lemon into the water, then slice and drop the lemon slices into the water. Fill the kettle with the lemon solution.
- Boil the water and let it sit in the kettle for about an hour.
- Discard the water and clean the kettle.
- You can also use local lemons instead of western lemons.
Mix baking soda solution. Another option for cleaning the kettle is to mix a baking soda solution with water. Dissolve about one teaspoon of baking soda into water. Pour this mixture into the electric kettle and bring it to a boil.
- Let the solution sit in the kettle for about 20 minutes. Then, pour it out and rinse the kettle with cold water.
- This method will remove the buildup inside the kettle.
Use a commercial kettle cleaner. If you prefer to use a commercial cleaner, search online or find it in a store or supermarket that sells household goods. Dilute the cleaner with water according to the instructions and bring the solution to a boil in the kettle.
- Let the solution soak in the kettle.
- Rinse the kettle with cold water.
Kadi Dulude
Expert in Hygiene & Organization
Expert in Hygiene & Organization
Expert advice: Use regular soda water as a convenient household option. Fill the kettle with regular soda water, bring it to a boil, then let it cool for about 45 minutes. Pour out the soda water and clean the kettle as usual, and your kettle will shine!
Cleaning the kettle
Clean the exterior with dish soap. To clean the outside of the kettle, use regular dish soap. Wash the exterior with the soap, then wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Be sure not to let any soap get inside the kettle.
- Clean the outside of the kettle once a week.
- Since the kettle has a heating element, do not submerge the electric kettle in water.
Polish with olive oil. If you have a stainless steel kettle, you may want to polish it to keep it shiny. To do this, use olive oil. Pour a little oil onto a soft cloth and rub the exterior of the kettle. Gently rub to avoid scratching the surface.
Clean the kettle regularly. The inside of the kettle can accumulate mineral deposits with frequent use, especially in areas with hard water. This can cause scale to form in tea or coffee, and slow down the kettle's performance. To keep the kettle functioning well, clean it every few months.
Things you will need
- White vinegar
- Lemon
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
- Olive oil
- Sponges
