An electric kettle can make your mornings easier, but it’s important to keep it clean to keep your tea and coffee tasting great. The minerals in water can build up inside, which can change the taste and how well the kettle works. Here’s how to clean your electric kettle.
How often should you descale and clean an electric kettle?
To make sure your tea tastes great every morning, it’s a good idea to clean your electric kettle every day and descale it about once a month if you use it often.
Descaling means getting rid of the limescale buildup inside the kettle, which comes from minerals like calcium and magnesium in the water. If you have hard water, you might need to descale more often since it has more minerals than soft water.
What is buildup in an electric kettle?
When you boil water in a kettle, minerals in the water can leave behind calcium deposits. How fast this happens depends on how hard your water is. This buildup can change the taste of your hot drinks.
How to clean an electric kettle with vinegar
Vinegar is mildly acidic, it’s great for getting rid of mineral buildup in your electric kettle. It’s almost as good as a special descaling product and is an easy, at-home cleaning option.
What you’ll need to clean your electric kettle
Cleaning your electric kettle is easy and only needs a few things you probably already have at home.
- Daily cleaning: Wipe the outside with a damp cloth to remove any water spots, then dry and shine it with a soft cloth.
- Interior cleaning and descaling: To clean or descale the inside, just use about one cup of white vinegar.
To keep your kettle working well, it’s helpful to know how to descale it with vinegar.
Combine water and vinegar
Fill your electric kettle with a mixture of 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water.
Bring mixture to a boil
Boil the vinegar and water mixture, then let it sit overnight before pouring it out.
Drain kettle
Fill the kettle with water, bring it to a boil, then empty it. Repeat this process two more times to get rid of any leftover vinegar smell or taste. After that, your electric kettle is ready to use again.
Does vinegar damage an electric kettle?
Using diluted white vinegar is a safe and effective method to remove mineral buildup in your electric kettle. The mild acidity of vinegar helps dissolve the buildup. However, it’s best to check your owner’s manual for cleaning advice before you start.
Ways to clean the inside of an electric kettle
There are a few methods for cleaning an electric kettle. You may be able to use dish soap, vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda. Learn how to clean an electric kettle.
Use lemon juice or citric acid
Lemon juice and citric acid are great natural cleaners. Their acidity works like a bleach and antiseptic, plus the fresh lemon scent will leave your kitchen smelling great.
Add cleaning agent
Pour a tablespoon of citric acid powder or lemon juice into the kettle.
Add water
Add enough water to cover the bottom and turn the kettle on to boil.
Discard water
After the mixture boils, pour out the water and rinse the kettle thoroughly before drying.
Use baking soda
You probably already have baking soda in your kitchen, which makes this an easy and effective way to clean.
Add baking soda
Put 1–2 tablespoons of baking soda in the kettle, then fill it with water and bring it to a boil.
Let kettle cool
Take the kettle off the heat and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Scrub kettle
Once the kettle has cooled down, gently scrub the inside with a soft brush, then rinse with clean water and dry with a dish towel.
Methods for cleaning a stainless steel kettle
To clean the outside of your kettle, wipe it with a damp cloth to remove water spots and dirt, then dry and shine it with a soft cloth.
Use dish soap
Use your favorite dish soap to clean the outside of your kettle. Wash the outside with the soap, then wipe it with a damp cloth, making sure no soap gets inside. After that, dry the kettle with a dish towel.
Use olive oil
Olive oil is a great natural way to polish stainless steel kettles. Dab about a teaspoon of olive oil on a soft microfiber cloth and gently rub it over the outside of your kettle to make it shine. Avoid using rough sponges or cloths, as they can scratch the surface.