How to Clean an Electric Kettle Using Natural Ingredients?

As they’re a great way to quickly heat up water, electric kettles are one of the most frequently used kitchen appliances. But did you know they can also be breeding grounds for bacteria if not cleaned properly?

In this article, we’ll show you how to clean an electric kettle using simple methods, and mention some practices that can help you prevent limescale from appearing.

How to Clean an Electric Kettle?

Appliances such as electric kettles that are used daily must be cleaned regularly to avoid limescale build-up and kettle furring. Not only will this build-up start flaking into your tea or coffee water, but it can also affect the kettle’s performance and shorten its lifespan.
The longer you neglect cleaning the kettle, the more build-up it accumulates, making it harder to clean.

If don’t take proper care of the electric kettle, it will take longer to heat up the water, which in turn increases electricity consumption. If you noticed any of these “symptoms” in your kettle, here are some ways to descale an electric kettle and get rid of accumulated limescale:

How to Clean the Inside of an Electric Kettle?

Before we go on to explain how to descale the interior of your electric kettle, take note that you might have to repeat a procedure multiple times if your appliance has accumulated a lot of limescale.

 1. Cleaning a Kettle With Vinegar

For this procedure, you’ll need a brush or a sponge, distilled vinegar, and water.

• Using a measuring cup, pour equal parts of white vinegar and water into your kettle and turn it on.
• To get rid of the built-up limescale in the kettle, let the water-vinegar mix boil before turning off the kettle and unpluging it.
• Leave the mixture to sit in the kettle for 15-20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes have passed, pour out the mixture and use a toothbrush or sponge to scrub the inside of the kettle, making sure to scrub all the hard-to-reach places as well.
• Next, use water to rinse the kettle multiple times to fully get rid of the solution.
• Finally, boil water in the kettle to check if it’s necessary to repeat the procedure.

 2. Cleaning a Kettle Using Lemon Juice or Citric Acid

When it comes to descaling an electric kettle, natural ingredients are a better option than harsh chemicals. Using lemons will help both eliminate limescale and provide a refreshing smell inside the kettle. For an enhanced antiseptic effect, you also use citric acid.

The Lemon Method

• Cut a lemon into two halves and squeeze it into your kettle.
• Once done, chop the lemon into small pieces and add them to the juice.
• Add around 500ml of water, or just enough to fill the kettle halfway.
• Then, turn on the kettle and let the mixture boil.
• Turn off the kettle and leave the mixture to cool down.
• To clean the inside of the electric kettle, use a soft sponge or brush to scrub the limescale thoroughly.
• Once done, pour out the mixture and rinse with warm water.
• Before turning the kettle back on for a test run, dry the outside of the kettle using a microfiber cloth.

The Citric Acid Method

• Fill the kettle halfway with water.
• Turn on the kettle and let the water boil.
• Once it boils, turn off the kettle and add 1 or 2 tablespoons of citric acid powder.
• Let the mixture sit in the kettle for about 15-20 minutes before pouring it out.
• Fully rinse the kettle with water and leave it to dry.

 3. Cleaning a Kettle With Baking Soda

There are two ways of using this natural ingredient when descaling an electric kettle—as part of a water mixture or as a paste.

Baking Soda Mixture

• Use 1 or 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 500 ml of water to create the mixture.
• Pour the mixture into your kettle and let it boil.
• Wait for the kettle to cool down, then pour out the mixture.
• Rinse using cold water and dry the kettle using a dishtowel.

Baking Soda Paste

• To create a paste, use 1 tablespoon of baking soda and a couple of water drops.
• Stir until the paste turns into a homogenous mixture.
• Use a brush to descale the electric kettle and scrub until the limescale on the inside comes off.
• Rinse multiple times using water and check to see if you need to repeat the procedure.

How to Clean the Outside of an Electric Kettle?

Keeping the outside of your kettle free of water splashes and residue is just as important, as it gives your Feng Shui kitchen a nice and tidy look. Read on and learn how to keep the exterior of your kettle clean.

 1. Cleaning a Kettle With Dish Soap

• You can use any dishwashing liquid for cleaning the outside of your electric kettle.
• Once done, wipe it carefully so as not to get any dish detergent inside using a damp microfiber cloth.
• Use a dish towel to dry the kettle.

 2. Cleaning a Kettle With Olive Oil

• Olive oil is a great choice for polishing a stainless steel kettle.
• Apply 1 tablespoon of olive oil onto a microfiber cloth.
• Gently rub the cloth over the surface of the kettle.
• Avoid using abrasive sponges or cloths, as they can scratch and damage your kettle.

Key Takeaways

Can You Prevent Limescale From Appearing?

Now that you know how to descale the kettle in your kitchen, it’s important to know what causes limescale build-up and how to prevent it. The water we use contains minerals, and when it boils, some of the minerals fall to the bottom of the kettle, which is especially the case with hard waters rich in minerals.

One way to prevent limescale build-up is investing in a water softener. With the help of a process called regeneration, water softeners remove magnesium and calcium minerals from hard water, turning it soft.

Another way to prevent limescale is by regularly cleaning your electric kettle. If you’re using your kettle daily, descaling it once a month will help keep build-up away.

The Dos and Don’ts of Cleaning a Kettle

Although cleaning a kettle regularly is imperative, it’s also important to be familiar with proper kettle care. Following these tips will help keep your kettle clean and free of limescale:

• Try to boil only the amount of water you need to avoid unnecessary build-up.
• Avoid leaving water sitting in the kettle overnight or for longer periods.
• Try using distilled water, especially if you live in a hard water area.
• When you clean an electric kettle, avoid scrubbing the heating elements of the kettle, as this can damage the protective coat and the appliance overall.

Conclusion

Like all other kitchen gadgets, electric kettles require regular maintenance to function properly. You can choose from a variety of options and use natural ingredients such as lemons and baking soda to get rid of limescale, and use olive oil or dish detergent to keep the outside of your kettle nice and shiny. However, if none of these practices work and your kettle is beyond repair, check out some of the best tea kettles the market has to offer.