If you own an electric kettle and seldom clean its interiors like the vast majority of people, then one fine day you may notice brownish spots all over its bottom. Though these spots may gross you out, it is not something you need to be worried about. These are usually limescale deposits that can be removed easily. So, let us talk about how to clean an electric kettle- both inside and out so that you can have your daily cup of tea and coffee in all its glory.
How To Clean Electric Kettle?
Time needed: 1 hour
Depending on the water quality and frequency of use, you should deep clean the interiors of your kettle every 1-3 months. Doing this on a regular basis not only improves the durability of the kettle but also ensures your tea doesn’t have any off-taste. This method can be used on stainless steel, glass and plastic kettles.
- Descale The Interiors of the Kettle
The first step to cleaning an electric kettle is descaling its interiors. For that, pour a cup each of vinegar and water and boil. Then, leave it for 2-3 hours so that the vinegar dissolves the limescale deposits inside. Ensure that you fill vinegar and water to the minimum mark inside the kettle.
- Wash With Dishwashing Liquid
After step 1, your kettle would have a strong and pungent smell of vinegar. To get rid of it, discard the diluted vinegar solution and wash it thoroughly using diluted dishwashing soap. If the brown spots still remain, use the rough side of a Scotch-Brite to gently scrub and remove them.
- Boil Plain Water
In order to ensure that you thoroughly get rid of the vinegar smell and any other residue, fill plain water to the kettle’s maximum capacity and boil it. Then, discard the water
- Repeat
If the vinegar smell persists, repeat step 3 once again.
- Wipe Down the Exteriors
Ideally, you should wipe the exterior surface of the kettle on a daily basis. If you have ignored it for a long time, moisten a microfibre cloth with 50% diluted vinegar and wipe the surface. Ensure that you wipe the swivel base and the cord too. Diluted vinegar helps avoid watermarks and smudges from wiping.
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Other Tips To Maintain Your Kettle
- Never boil tap water in your electric kettle. The high level of calcium and magnesium in tap water can rapidly cause limescale deposits inside your kettle.
- Always fill water to at least the minimum level. Else it may damage the heating coil and cause burn marks on the bottom surface, which are irreversible.
- Avoid boiling anything other than water in an electric kettle as it can cause stains and odours that are difficult to remove. If you want a kettle for boiling milk, making noodles and such multi-tasking, opt for a multi-purpose kettle. They have an open lid which makes them easier to clean.
- If the smell of vinegar is something you can’t stand, use citric acid instead, which has a more pleasant smell.
Electric Kettle used for this cleaning project- V Guard VKS-17
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