“Try these simple hacks to clean your electric kettle easily and quickly”
From boiling water to preparing an instant cup of warm tea or any hot beverage, a kettle is what we all reach out for.
Over the time, the kettle may develop a build-up of mineral deposits inside the kettle, called kettle furring. This may be frustrating, especially when it starts flaking in your cup of tea or coffee.
No one would like it! Would you?
To remove the build-up, you have to deep clean the electric kettle. If you are looking for an easy way to clean electric kettle, you can find the step-by-step process in this article.
Click Here To Know How To Use an Electric Kettle
How to Clean Electric Kettle?
In the process mentioned below, we have used different ingredients that are commonly available in every kitchen.
Hack 1 – Use Vinegar to Clean Your Kettle
This is the easiest and hassle-free method to keep your kettle free from limestone. Because vinegar softens the lime scale deposits, making it easy to scrub it off. Try this hack now:
This is all you need:
- Vinegar
- Water
Instructions:
- Take equal parts of vinegar and water.
- Combine them and pour the mixture into the kettle.
- Plugin the kettle, turn it on, and allow this solution to boil in the kettle.
- After boiling turn it off and unplug the kettle.
- Leave it for about 20-30 minutes.
- Discard the solution.
Hack 2 – Use Lemon to Clean Your Kettle
If you do not have vinegar available or if you do not want to use vinegar, you can opt for lemon. Lemon acts as a very good cleansing agent to get rid of the scales in your kettle. The citric acid present in the lime juice works effectively on the limescale build-up.
This is all you need:
- Lemon
- Water
Instructions:
- Take equal parts of lemon juice and water.
- You can also put pieces of lemon in the solution.
- Pour this solution into the kettle.
- Plugin the kettle, turn it on, and allow this solution to boil in the kettle.
- After boiling turn it off and unplug the kettle.
- Leave it for about an hour as it softens the build-up.
- Discard the solution.
Hack 3 – Use Citric Acid to Clean Your Kettle
Citric acid can be an excellent choice and a quick household remedy for removing limescale build-ups. It works like magic, and you would love to try it for sure.
This is all you need:
- Citric Acid
- Water
Instructions:
- Fill the kettle up to half with water.
- Add one to two tablespoons of citric acid to it.
- Plugin the kettle, turn it on, and allow this solution to boil in the kettle.
- After boiling turn it off and unplug the kettle.
- Leave it for about 15-20 minutes.
- Discard the solution.
Hack 4 – Use Baking Soda to Clean Your Kettle
Baking soda is yet another effective cleaning option to descale the limescale build-up in electric kettles.
This is all you need:
- Baking Soda
- Water
Instructions:
- Take one tablespoon of baking soda and mix it in water.
- Pour the solution into the kettle.
- Plugin the kettle, turn it on, and allow this solution to boil in the kettle.
- After boiling turn it off and unplug the kettle.
- Leave it for about 20 minutes to let the limescale build-up soak.
- Discard the solution.
Hack 5 – Use Soda Pop to Clean Your Kettle
Did you know that you can use a soda pop like some Coke or Pepsi or even a soda to clean and descale your kettle? Yes, that’s true! Follow the below steps to know how to do it.
This is all you need:
- Flat Coke or Pepsi or Soda
- Water
Instructions:
- Fill the kettle up to half or one-fourth with soda.
- Plugin the kettle, turn it on, and allow this solution to boil in the kettle.
- After boiling turn it off and unplug the kettle.
- Leave it for about 30 minutes.
- Discard the soda pop.
- Rinse it thoroughly with water
Hack 6 – Disassemble the Kettle
The next step in the cleaning process is to disassemble the kettle to give it a thorough cleaning. However, make sure you unplug it before you proceed any further. Some kettles have a water filter. If yours has one, remove it before you start cleaning the interior of the kettle.
Hack 7 – Clean or Replace the Water Filter
You can follow the user manual for directions on how to clean the removed water filter or water filter cartridge. Since most filters come in a metal screen, it is advisable to clean them by following the below steps.
This is all you need:
- Distilled White Vinegar
- Hot Water
- Bowl
- Bottle Brush
Instructions:
- Mix hot water and distilled white vinegar in a bowl.
- Soak the filter in this solution and leave it for at least five minutes.
- Scrub it gently with a bottle brush.
- Rinse it with fresh water.
Scrub the Inside of the Kettle
Now that you finished cleaning the filter, focus on cleaning the interior of the kettle. This is how you can do it.
This is all you need:
- Non-Abrasive Sponge or
- Soft-Bristled Bottle Brush
Instructions:
- Scrub the interior using either a non-abrasive sponge or a bottle brush that has smooth bristles.
- Remove any mineral build-up stuck around the corners.
- Pay attention to the areas where the build-up is heavy.
- Rinse it with fresh water.
Hack 8 – Clean the Exterior of the Kettle
Since the interior of the kettle is clean, it is time to clean the outer surface too. It is not a tricky process, and all you need to do is follow these simple steps.
This is all you need:
- Non-Abrasive Sponge or
- Water
- Dishwashing Liquid
- Damp Cloth
Instructions:
- Add few drops of dishwashing liquid to warm water.
- Dip a non-abrasive sponge in this solution.
- Wipe the exterior of the kettle with this sponge to remove any smudges or splatters.
- Now wipe with a damp cloth.
- After wiping with a damp cloth, wipe it with a microfiber cloth to dry the kettle.
If your electric kettle is of stainless steel, polish the exterior with olive oil to keep it shiny. This is how you can do:
- Take a soft cloth.
- Put some olive oil on it.
- Rub the exterior of the kettle with this cloth slowly.
If the exterior surface of the kettle has spots that are tough to remove, try this:
- Take a damp sponge, and dip it in dry baking soda.
- Gently scrub the spots with the sponge.
Reassemble the Kettle and Do Final Rinses
Now that you cleaned the kettle, it is time to reassemble and give a final rinse. Follow the below steps:
- Put back the filter or other components in place.
- Now fill the kettle with water up to half.
- Plugin the kettle, turn it on, and allow the water to boil.
- After boiling turn it off and unplug the kettle.
- Discard the water.
Repeat the same process one more time to ensure there is no cleaning solution or loose minerals inside.
Tips for Cleaning an Electric Kettle
To make the cleaning even more easy and more fun, we have a few hacks for you. Try them, and you will enjoy what you are doing.
- Always heat or boil a sufficient amount of water you need. Never leave the water in a kettle, but always empty it after use.
- Do not use tap water but only distilled water – especially if you live in an area with a hard water supply.
- In case of any difficulty while removing the mineral build-up residue, leave a strong mixture of vinegar solution overnight in the kettle.
- After the descaling process if there is any hard water residue left, try this simple hack to get rid of it completely. Sprinkle some baking soda in the kettle and gently scrub using a soft cloth or damp sponge.
- Never scrub on the heating element as it may remove the special coating designed to protect it.
- Soak the filter in a cup of vinegar.
- To remove the scale build-up on the water filter, soak it in a bowl of distilled vinegar solution for five minutes. Now scrub it gently using a bottle brush or a scrubbing pad.
How Often to Clean an Electric Kettle?
How often should I clean my kettle? This a common question that most of us have. However, the frequency of cleaning is entirely dependent upon how often you use it. You should clean the exterior surface of the kettle at least once a week.
If you are using it daily for boiling water, it is suggestable to descale the kettle at least four times a year. If your kettle has a water filter or cartridge, clean it once a month or as recommended by the manufacturer in the user manual.
Conclusion
To sum up, cleaning a kettle is no gigantic task. You can now do it effortlessly in your free time by following the cleaning hacks, as mentioned above.
If you know of any other methods how to clean a kettle, let us know in the comments section below. We would be more than happy to hear from you.
