Embarrassing. My mom would be so mortified if she knew this. She has everything on spot. But when was the last time I cleaned my electric kettle? The task has been a challenge to complete between running to and from with the kids and work deadlines like this. And, being a single mom, if I don’t do it, who will? It doesn’t help that my kettle is white, so every little speck of dirt stands out. It’s much more likely that I give it a quick wipe with a damp cloth. But that’s not nearly enough to keep it truly clean.
With a bit of trial and error, and a few visits to too many websites to count (some of them didn’t know that even existed), I’ve discovered a few methods that work great for cleaning electric kettles – and trust me, you don’t want a dirty kettle to be the first thing guests notice in your kitchen. There was this one time I visited my neighbor, and she offered me tea. The second I saw her kettle, which looked like it hadn’t seen a sponge or anything like that in months, I could barely swallow a sip. I felt so uncomfortable… wouldn’t you?
When it comes to cleaning an electric kettle, there are a few methods that truly shine, especially for tackling the dreaded limescale (the worst) that can build up over time. Limescale, for those fortunate enough to not know, is that nasty, crusty white buildup you see inside kettles after they’ve been used for a while. Eww. Quite disgusting. It’s mostly harmless, but it can start to affect the taste of your water – and by extension, your coffee or tea. Trust me, I’ve had coffee before that tasted quite weird. That nasty limescale gives water its characteristic smell and taste.
The Vinegar Solution
One of the best, and my personal favorite, ways to tackle limescale is using good old white vinegar. I cannot believe there are still people who doesn’t know that you can use vinegar for cleaning. It’s like a superhero for me.
- Fill your kettle about halfway with an equal parts mixture of water and white vinegar.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then unplug the kettle (please, don’t leave it plugged in) and let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or up to an hour if you’ve got some serious buildup). The more the better.
- Pour out the mixture and rinse the kettle thoroughly. I usually rinse it several times to make sure there’s no lingering vinegar taste. Limescale taste is bad as it is, and vinegar is also not pleasant in your coffee.
- Boil a pot of plain water in the kettle and then discard to remove any remaining vinegar residue.
The first time I tried this method it was incredible. My kettle was covered in limescale and I had neglected it for way too long (all on me!) To be honest it was just like a miracle to see it melt away. I once left a potted plant on a white rug for so long it moulded. When I had all but given up on the stain ever coming out, a mix of simple household ingredients saved the day. Funny how some of the simplest things work so well. My mom would be so proud of me, she thought.
Baking Soda Method
Another superhero of mine is baking soda. OMG, I use it so often, and not for baking at all. So handy for cleaning numerous kinds of stains.
- Fill the kettle with water and add a tea spoon of baking soda.
- Boil and allow it to sit for an hour.
- Rinse the kettle to ensure no baking soda taste remains. Again, rinsing is important. We don’t want any vinegar or baking soda taste in our tea or coffee.
The first time I switched to baking soda, it was because I’d run out of vinegar. I was super skeptical but in the end surprised. Plus, it didn’t leave a strong smell behind, which I liked.
Lemon Power
Lemon not only makes a delightful addition to water but also acts as a natural descaler for your kettle due to its acidic properties.
- Fill the kettle with water, add a few slices of lemon or a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice. Both is ok. I prefer lemon slices though.
- Boil the water, and then turn off the kettle, letting it sit for an hour with the lemon water inside.
- Rinse and boil clear water to remove any lemony taste. I love lemon so much I almost don’t mind its lingering smell and taste everywhere.
I remember using lemon to lighten my hair as a teenager, sitting in the sun with lemon juice in my hair, hoping for natural highlights. Now, I’m using it to clean my kettle. Who knew?
How Often Should You Clean?
The frequency of cleaning depends largely on your usage and if you have hard water. If you’re using it daily (And probably you do like everyone else), a thorough clean every other month is a good rule of thumb. However, if you’re in an area with hard water, you might want to descale your kettle as often as once a month. Well, you know the answer to this question already. Better if you clean it regularly….
Regular cleaning prevents mineral buildup which can affect your kettle’s performance and the taste of your water. and I wanna say it affects health too. So, don’t forget to clean your electric kettle.
