Top 5 Ways How to Clean an Electric Kettle

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An electric kettle is one of the most essential appliances in the kitchen because it is used daily. It can be used to fill hot water bottles in winter, warm porridge in the morning and of course make hot beverages like tea and coffee. Due to its many uses, it is important to maintain and know how to clean an electric kettle so that it will function correctly. Cleaning and descaling an electric kettle is an easy job, and you should do it regularly to keep those warm cups of coffee flowing smoothly.

If you already have one or recently got one of the best electric kettles on the market, learn how to clean an electric kettle to improve its lifespan.

Why You Need to Clean an Electric Kettle

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Mineral deposits from hard water can build up on an electric kettle and lead to scaling. Scaling or limescale can affect the performance of the kettle. It can even deteriorate the quality of the water.

Therefore, regular cleaning is essential to keep it functioning smoothly and working longer.

What Is Limescale?

Limescale is easily recognizable by the white traces it leaves behind on an electric kettle. This hard, off-white chalky substance occurs on the metal parts of water-operated machinery and the inside of hot water pipework. Limescale is often on equipment that has a heating element such as an electric kettle. It can also be on kitchen and bathroom faucets.

Limescale is caused by small amounts of naturally occurring minerals found in most tap water supplies. This limescale builds up over time and can interfere with the reliability and efficiently of an electric kettle.

Don’t have an electric kettle? Read Top 5 Reasons Americans Need to Get an Electric Kettle ASAP!

How Often to Clean an Electric Kettle

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You should clean your electric kettle regularly, especially if you live in a hard water area to maintain its performance. Appliances that see a lot of daily use have higher amounts of limescale buildup.

No one wants their morning coffee ruined. It’s not fun, but that’s what will happen if the limescale is not removed from the electric kettle. Imagine waking up, heading downstairs, looking forward to your favorite cup of Joe, and getting out your coffee grinder only to find some off-white gross looking flakes floating around in your morning beverage.

No thank you. That’s not how to start your day!

Remove limescale from an electric kettle once a month if you live in a hard water area. If you live in a soft water area, look for it every few months.

What Is the Difference Between Hard and Soft Water?

The type of water you have can determine how much of a problem limescale is for you.

• Hard water contains naturally dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
• Soft water is treated water that only contains the ion sodium.

Eighty-five percent of homes across the U.S. have hard water. Clean and descale your electric kettle regularly to keep it at its optimum performance.

There are a few methods to clean an electric kettle from using a shop-bought cleaning product to natural methods using a few household items.

These are our top 5 ways to clean an electric kettle.

5. How to Clean an Electric Kettle With a Vinegar Solution

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White vinegar is a great natural solution and is used to clean many things, including descaling an electric kettle and removing buildup from hard water.

This vinegar cleaning method will give you great results.

What You Need

• White vinegar
• Water
• Non-metallic sponge
• Microfiber cloth

Instructions

1. Mix the solution. Combine a solution of vinegar and water in equal parts.
2. Pour it into the kettle. Pour the solution into the kettle, filling it up about halfway or three-quarters of the way full.
3. Turn on the kettle. Bring it to a boil with the vinegar solution inside. If the limescale is severe, increase the amount of vinegar and boil again.
4. Let the kettle soak. Turn the kettle off, unplug it, and let it cool down. Let the solution soak inside the kettle for about 20 minutes. Pour out the solution unless the limescale is particularly bad. If it is, leave the solution in for longer.
5. Scrub the inside. Scrub the kettle with the microfiber cloth. If the limescale doesn’t come off easily, use a non-metallic sponge inside the kettle. Remember to get all the corners, and don’t scrub the heating element at the bottom of the kettle.
6. Rinse: Rinse the kettle with water and pour out. You may have to rinse multiple times to remove the vinegar smell.
7. Wipe down. Wipe the kettle down with a cloth, and let it dry.
8. Boil water. Boil water in the kettle once or twice and put away. This will remove any remaining vinegar smell or taste.

4. How to Clean an Electric Kettle With a Lemon Solution

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A lemon may be an item that you may not have realized can be a cleaning product. Lemons are high in citric acid, which makes them a powerful cleaning agent and ideal for getting the limescale out of kettles.

This is how to use a lemon to clean an electric kettle.

What You Need

• Lemon
• Water
• Microfiber cloth

Instructions

1. Fill the kettle. Fill three-quarters of the kettle with water.
2. Slice lemons. Cut half a lemon into slices. Add the slices to the water.
3. Turn on the kettle. Bring the kettle to a boil to remove the limescale. You may need to boil a few times until the limescale begins to dislodge.
4. Let cool. Let the lemon solution cool, and then pour out the water.
5. Scrub the inside. Clean the inside with the microfiber cloth.
6. Rinse. Rinse the kettle a few times to make sure that all limescale is gone.

3. How to Clean an Electric Kettle With a Baking Soda Solution

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Another excellent household product that you can be used to clean an electric kettle is baking soda. You will more than likely already have baking soda in your cupboard.

This is how to use it to clean an electric kettle.

What You Need

• Baking soda
• Water
• Microfiber cloth

Instructions

• Mix the solution. Add a teaspoon of baking soda into water. Mix well to combine and pour into the kettle.
• Turn on the kettle. Bring the kettle to a boil, then unplug it and let it cool down.
• Let the kettle soak. Let the baking soda solution soak for around 20 minutes, then pour out the water. Leave it for longer if the limescale isn’t dislodging.
• Scrub the inside. Wipe the inside of the kettle with a cloth to make sure all the limescale is gone.
• Rinse. Rinse out the kettle with cold water.

2. How to Clean an Electric Kettle With a Cleaning Solution

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If you don’t want to use a natural solution to clean an electric kettle, you can opt for a commercial cleaning product that you’ll be able to buy at your local supermarket, home improvement store, or online.

Here is how to clean an electric kettle with a commercial cleaning product.

What You Need

• Commercial Cleaning Product
• Water
• Microfiber cloth

Instructions

1. Fill the kettle. Fill the kettle with water about halfway or three-quarters full.
2. Mix the solution. Dilute the cleaning product in water.
3. Turn on the kettle. Bring the kettle to a boil, and then let it cool.
4. Let it soak. Leave the cleaning solution to soak.
5. Wipe. Wipe the inside of the kettle with a microfiber cloth.
6. Rinse. Rinse out the kettle with cold water a few times to ensure that all the solution is gone.

Top Tip: Always check the directions on the commercial solution before use.

1. How to Clean the Outside of an Electric Kettle

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It is as essential to clean the outside of an electric kettle as it is the inside. You should clean the exterior of the kettle every week or so.

Because of the heating element inside the bottom of the kettle, you can not place it in water. Use this cleaning method to clean the outside of a kettle.

What You Need

• Dish soap
• Olive oil
• Microfiber cloth

Instructions

1. Clean the outside. Use dish soap or detergent to wash the outside of the kettle. Try not to get dish soap inside the kettle or you’ll have a strange taste in your coffee.
2. Wipe. Wipe down the outside of the kettle with a damp cloth.
3. Polish with olive oil. For stainless steel, electric kettles use olive oil to help keep its shine. Put some olive oil on a soft cloth and rub over the outside of the kettle. Rub gently so that you don’t scratch the kettle surface.

Top Tip: Avoid leaving water in your kettle after use because it increases the build-up of mineral deposits. Pour out any remaining water after use.

We hope that this article has given you a push to check and clean your electric kettle regularly. Whether you choose to use a natural or commercial cleaning method, use one (or more) of these cleaning methods to keep your kettle in good condition.