Whatever your kettle is made from, aluminium, iron, heat-resistant plastic or stainless steel and whether it’s electric or not, it will end up with a build-up of limescale on the inside. You need to know how to clean it out from time to time. To clean the outside it’s best to use only vinegar and olive oil on the exterior of a stainless steel kettle.
There’s no need for special cleaners, just use the natural ingredients mentioned and you’ll have a shiny kettle, but only use a microfibre cloth that won’t scratch. You can use vinegar and bicarb or any all-purpose cleaning spray to clean the outsides of kettles made from other materials.
You also need to know how to clean an electric kettle or jug and this has to be done carefully. You can’t submerge an electric kettle in water or you will damage the element and possibly electrocute yourself if you plug it in if the parts are wet.
What is Limescale?
Limescale is also called calcium carbonate and it’s a milky, very hard deposit that commonly clogs up kettles and jugs and other things that come in contact with water and heat such as:
- Old pipes
- Hot-water tanks
- Central heating systems and
Limescale deposits are found mainly in areas such as kettles where evaporated hot water has become solid. The limescale is difficult to remove by simply scrubbing and it makes it difficult when cleaning a kettle this way because the harder you scrub, the more likely you are to damage the insides of the appliance.
But if you know how to clean your kettle with the correct combination of mild acids, the limescale can be dissolved with ease.
Your Electric Kettle and Limescale
Most people these days choose an electric kettle for boiling water to make cups of tea or coffee or other beverages, but because water boils repeatedly, limescale develops inside. The limescale build-up causes ‘kettle furring’ or scale that can flake off and end up in your tea, coffee or food.
The scale also slows down the time it takes for your kettle to boil. When cleaning electric kettles, the best solution is vinegar or lemon and baking soda or bicarb to remove stubborn stains inside. These home-style solutions to limescale deposits in your kettle can be effective and the lemon juice leaves the kettle smelling fresh.
How to Clean Your Kettle
Cleaning your kettle is rather simple if you follow these instructions:
- Half fill your kettle with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar. If it’s an electric kettle, then let it boil the solution and switch itself off, if it has that facility, otherwise switch it off yourself. If electric, unplug the jug or kettle and allow it to stand for half an hour. If your kettle isn’t electric, simply let it stand for half an hour.
- After that time, pour the vinegar solution out and rinse the kettle repeatedly with clear water. Make sure you don’t wet the kettle’s electric element.
- Once you’ve rinsed off every trace of limescale and vinegar solution from your kettle or jug, wipe it with a damp microfibre cloth and leave it on the dish rack to air.
- When the kettle has dried completely, fill it three-quarters full with clear water and boil it. Empty the water and your kettle is clean and ready to use.
How to Get The Most Out of Your Kettle
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Bicarb and Lemons
If you don’t want to use vinegar to clean your kettle, or you can’t use it for any reason, then follow the steps above, but try using lemons rather than vinegar. You could also put a tablespoon of bicarb into the kettle or jug and boil it.
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Give the Plants a Drink
Make it a habit to empty your kettle after every use – it makes a better cuppa if the water hasn’t previously been boiled anyway. But be sure to wait until the water cools or you’ll kill the plants. Leaving water in the kettle to stand for a long period allows the mineral deposits such as limescale to form inside.
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Oil for stainless steel
For a stainless steel kettle, the most effective way to clean and polish up the outside is with a little olive oil. All you do is pop a few drops on a microfibre cloth (anything else will scratch it) and rub the kettle surface until it shines. The oil removes grime, grease, and fingermarks and leaves a lovely gloss.
Author’s Bio
Alex Morrison has worked with a range of businesses giving him an in depth understanding of many different industries including home improvement, financial support and health care. He has used his knowledge and experience to work for clients as diverse as MyHome Clean, Cosh Living and Me Bank to help them reach their business goals.
