The electric kettle has become one of the most popular kitchen appliances, and people often start using it on a daily basis. When it comes to simple tasks like boiling water electric kettle is more convenient, faster, and easy to use than using the microwave.
And if you have started using it, you’d know how addicted it can be. I found myself using it multiple times a day to boil water for my tea or coffee. But when it comes to cleaning, we often overlook the Electrical kettle, which causes it to collect limescale or hardened water and affects the performance.
In this article, I’m sharing four practical ways to clean an Electric kettle, why you should clean it, and tips to maintain the Electrical kettle.
Why Should You Clean Electric Kettle?
The very first reason you ignore cleaning an Electrical kettle is that you don’t see a need for it. You use it to boil water and what could go wrong with it or how can it affect the performance?
Turns out, not cleaning electrical kettle regularly will start collecting limescale, affect the performance, and could also affect your health.
For people living in hard-water areas, the problem of mineral deposits and hardened-water is a severe issue. Now the next question which pops up in our mind is…
Is Limescale In Kettle Bad for You?
Yes, it is. Limescale or hard-water deposit contains a high level of minerals such as magnesium and calcium which can be hard to remove if left untreated. Also, it often leads to scaling [1] which affects the performance of the Electrical kettle.
Other than destroying the sleek appearance and performance of your kettle, limescale also spoils your morning tea or coffee when you find the flakes floating freely in your tea or coffee. This junky build-up is also called “kettle furring.”
Fortunately, there are some working ways to clean an Electrical kettle, descale it, and regain the performance quickly. So, let’s get started.
How to Clean Electric Kettle: 4 Working Methods to Start Using
1. Use Water + Vinegar Solution
Unquestionably, Vinegar solution is the most popular method to clean an Electrical kettle. Due to the acidic properties of vinegar, it effectively treats the limescale build-up.
- Start by filling the kettle up to 1/2 or 2/3 quarter with equal parts of water and white vinegar.
- Bring the solution to a boil and turn off the kettle (if it doesn’t automatically.)
- Remove the power cord. Allow the white vinegar + water solution to stay in the kettle for 15-20 minutes.
- Throw away the solution and rinse the kettle. You may have to flush several times (depending on the limescale thickness) to make sure no trace of vinegar is to be found.
- Get a clean cloth and wipe the kettle inside out and let it dry for some time.
- After it dries, boil some water and discard it to remove all the traces of vinegar.
Notes: If there’s vinegar smell even after the above steps, boil water in the kettle a few more times and discard it. In the case of limescale still appears, use a stronger mixture of vinegar (70:30, vinegar + water), and leave the solution for a few hours or overnight.
Additionally, you can scrub the inside of electrical kettle with a metallic pad. Make sure to be gentle and carefully avoid the heating element (built into the bottom).
2. How to Clean Electric Kettle with Lemon
Some manufacture strictly warns against the use of vinegar for cleaning their products. If your electrical kettle falls under this category (check the manual), you need to use lemon to clean it.
Although not as powerful as a vinegar solution, a lemon solution is still very effective and does a great job of removing limescale. There are two ways you can use to clean Electrical kettle with lemon.
2.1. Use Lemon Slices
- Slice fresh lemons after juicing it.
- Fill the kettle up to 1/2 or 2/3 quarter with water and add the extracted lemon juice to it. Place the lemon slices on top of the solution.
- Boil the solution for 20 minutes and leave to soak until the water cools down.
- Pick the lemon slices from the kettle and discard the water.
- Fill in the kettle with water and boil it again for 10-15 minutes. Again throw away the water and check for smell or limescale traces.
- Rinse the kettle thoroughly and wipe it inside out with a clean cloth.
Follow the additional steps shared above if there is a presence of smell or limescale.
2.2. Using Lime Water or Lemon Juice
- Create a solution of 500 ml water and 30 grams (1 ounce) of lemon or lime juice.
- Add the above mixture to the kettle and boil it for at least 20-25 minutes.
- Switch off the kettle, unplug it, and allow the solution to cool down. Empty the solution from the kettle.
- To remove the remaining residue, sprinkle some baking soda at the bottom and wipe it with a clean cloth.
- Rinse the kettle 3-4 times with cold freshwater to get rid of the smell before using it again.
3. Baking Soda Solution
Baking soda can be used in a lot of ways and it works great as a cleaning substitute. It can also be used to clean Electrical kettle.
- Fill the half kettle with water and add a teaspoon of baking soda into water. Mix the solution.
- Bring the solution to a boil and let it soak for around 20 minutes.
- Pour out the solution and rinse the kettle with fresh cold water.
- It will remove the scaling from an Electrical kettle.
4. Use Commercial Kettle Cleaning Products
If you want to use a ready-made solution specifically built for descaling, you can buy Durgol 0296 Universal Multipurpose Descaler/Decalcifier from Amazon.
Other than the Electrical kettle, you can use it to clean multiple appliances like coffee machines, ceramic tiles, faucets, etc.
- Dilute the cleaning product with water as per the instructions are given and boil the solution in the kettle.
- Leave the solution in the kettle to let it soak for 10-15 minutes (may vary.)
- Discard the solution and rinse it with cold water.
Durgol Universal, Multi-Purpose Descaler and Decalcifier
How to Clean Outside of Electric Kettle
You might be already cleaning the outside of kettle, but for those who don’t, here are few ways to keep the kettle maintained.
1. Clean The Outside with Dish Soap
Use any ordinary dish detergent to clean the outside surface. Wipe the dish soap using a damp cloth. Make sure to dish soap doesn’t get inside the kettle.
How often? Clean the outside of the electrical kettle every week or so.
2. Polish with Olive Oil
After regular usage, stainless steel electric kettle starts losing its shine. To make it shine again and look new, polish it with olive oil.
Place some olive oil on a soft cloth and gently rub over the kettle surface. Do not apply more pressure to scratch the outside surface.
How often? Repeat it every 2-4 weeks or whenever you feel the need for it.
Additional Electric Kettle Cleaning Tips
Here are a few quick tips to remember when cleaning your Electric kettle:
- Do not place your electrical kettle (immerse) on the water as it will destroy the heating element.
- Avoid leaving extra water in your kettle after use. It is not a good practice as standing water increases the number of mineral deposits. The best way is to empty all the water after use or boil only the amount of water you’ll need.
- Clean the exterior of the kettle at least once a week and descale the interior once a month or depending on the usage frequency. Living in a hard-water area, we like to clean it every alternate week.
- Avoid scrubbing the heating element as it may peel off the special coating.
- A clean kettle uses less energy and extends the lifespan of your electrical kettle.
- Do not clean if the boiler is too hot. Wait for it to cool down and then clean it regularly. Cleaning it when the temperature is too hot may cause thermal burns.
Using the above simple yet effective methods to clean Electrical kettle, you can maintain the performance, save energy, and keep it looking like brand new.
Enjoyed reading this “how to clean Electric kettle” guide? Make sure to leave a comment and share it with your friends and family. Using any other effective method to clean a kettle? Let me know and I’ll be happy to include it in the list.