If you’re always in a rush to go to work or school in the morning, a kettle is a convenient tool that you can’t afford to miss in your kitchen. Kettles are easy to use and can be used for various tasks, including boiling water, making tea, and much more.
But if you want to enjoy the convenience of using a kettle with no or minimal defects, you must make sure that it’s well maintained. With time, limestone builds up inside, causing scaling, also known as kettle furling. This calls out for regular and thorough cleaning.
Besides reducing the efficiency of your kettle, the build-up can flake off, ruining the taste of your favorite cup of tea or coffee. I’m sure you wouldn’t want that, right? If you notice anything scaling, then it’s time you cleaned it up.
Fortunately, you don’t need to use harsh cleaning chemicals or spend hours scrubbing the limescale off. With the right ingredients, descaling is easy and hassle-free. Below, we’ve discussed some of the best methods on how to clean a kettle. Stay tuned!
4 Effective Ways To Do It
Fortunately, cleaning a kettle doesn’t require any expensive chemicals or tools. It can be done effectively with simple home remedies. Below are some of the best options worth considering.
Procedure 1 – Vinegar Solution
It’s a simple yet effective method of descaling a kettle. Here’s the procedure;
- Mix equal amounts of vinegar and water to make a solution – you can add more vinegar if the kettle has lots of limescale.
- Fill the kettle with the vinegar solution – around three quarters
- Bring the solution to boil
- Once the solution boils, turn off the heat
- Allow the solution to rest in the kettle for about 20 minutes or more, depending on the amount of build-up.
- Pour out the vinegar solution and scrub the inside and outside using a towel or non-metallic sponge to avoid scratching the surface of the kettle.
- Once it is clean, rinse it thoroughly with warm water until it’s sparkling clean. If it still smells or tastes like vinegar, add water in it and boil, then dump it. Repeat this until the smell goes away completely.
- Wipe off the interior with a damp towel and allow it to dry. For stainless steel kettles, polish the outside with olive oil to give it a smooth, shinning look.
- Your kettle is clean and ready for use again
Procedure 2 – Lemon Method
The lemon solution is another cheap yet effective method of cleaning a kettle. Follow the following steps;
- Fill it with water – make sure the water covers the affected area
- Cut up the lemon in four quarters and squeeze in the juice in the water. Place the lemon slices in water.
- Bring the solution to boil and turn off the heat
- Allow the lemon solution to rest in the kettle for about 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Pour out the lemon solution and clean with a soft sponge.
- Rinse it off and dry it off
- You’re good to go
Procedure 3 – Baking Soda Solution
Besides lemon and vinegar, baking soda is another cheap yet powerful ingredient for descaling a kettle. The procedure is simple too – here’s is how to go about it;
- Mix water with 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda to make a solution
- Bring the solution to boil
- Turn off the heat
- Allow the solution to soak for about 30 minutes
- Dump the solution and wash off the kettle with clean water using a sponge
- Rinse it off and allow it to dry
- The kettle is ready for use
Procedure 4 – Use A Commercial Cleaning Product
If you don’t like to do it the natural way, you can consider visiting your local store for a kettle cleaning product. For this procedure, you should clean the kettle as directed by the manufacturer.
Note – The outside of the kettle should be cleaned using basic dish detergent and a soft sponge or towel. After rinsing, wipe down the surface with a damp cloth and allow it to dry.
How Often Should You Clean A Kettle?
Well, how often you should clean the kettle majorly depends on a number of factors. For instance, if you use the kettle regularly, then more consistent cleaning is required. It would be best to clean it every 4 to 8 weeks to prevent the limescale from building up.
If you use hard water, regular cleaning is also recommended compared to individuals who use soft water. If your kettle has a filter, clean it every month or as directed by the manufacturer. The outer surface should be wiped at least once a week.
Maintaining Your Kettle
Taking good care of your kettle ensures optimum and long-life performance. Below are a few tips on how you can take care of it.
- Use a kettle protector to prevent the build-up of limescale
- Clean the outside surface at least once per week
- If you can, use the kettle with distilled water – avoid boiling hard water as it encourages limescale build-up
- Don’t place an electric kettle in water
- Never leave water in it – Always empty it after use, to prevent scaling
- Polish the exterior with olive oil – to preserve the shiny surface of your stainless steel kettle, dip a soft towel in olive oil and then rub it gently.
- Descale your kettle regularly to prevent limescale build-up
- Don’t use metallic tools or harsh cleaning agents to clean the kettle
- Always use food-safe products to clean the kettle
Conclusion
At one point in time, most kettles will develop scaling. When this happens, it’s upon you to act fast and clean it to ensure that it continues to operate efficiently. If possible, never allow limescale to build up as it can reduce its efficiency and lifespan. You won’t also like the awful taste that it is likely to pass to your water.