If your kettle is looking a little worse for wear you do not need to throw it away and buy a new one, it can be saved. If notice limescale on the inside and grease on the outside of your stainless steel kettle with the right products and a little elbow grease you can make it like new again.
There may be affiliate links in this article. You can read more about this in my disclosure.
Signs that Your Kettle Needs Cleaning
There are obvious signs that your kettle needs cleaning, for example when you see that food has been spilt over it or it has grease stains.
You should check your kettle regularly to look out for any of these signs that your kettle needs cleaning. You should pay particular attention to your kettle if you live in a hard water area.
- Grease stains
- Spillages
- White calcium build-up around the kettle lid
- Limescale inside the kettle
- Smalls bits of limescale in your drinks
6 of the Best Ways to Clean your Kettle
There are various ways that you can clean your kettle ranging from homemade solutions to store-bought commercial products that offer a quick fix to your dirty kettle problem. We take a look at a different way to clean your kettle that suits all budgets.
1. Soap and Water
A basic dish soap mixed with water should be enough to keep your kettle clean on a daily/weekly basis.
If you do not allow for calcium or limescale to build up then you should not need anything harsher than regular soap. Simply use a cloth to apply a cloth soaked in soap and water and then fully rinse and dry before using your kettle.
[amazon box=”B01MG2BJF0″ template=”vertical”]2. Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar are two common household products that are used to clean all manner of things including dirty kitchen equipment.
Most people have baking soda and/or vinegar in their pantry which means you do not have to go and buy expensive commercial products to clean your kettle. To clean your kettle you can make a paste from baking soda and vinegar by mixing one part baking soda with two parts vinegar.
The mixture will fizz as the ingredients combine so what until the bubbling stops and then apply to the outside of the kettle and the inside of the kettle. You should leave the mixture on the kettle for a few minutes before wiping it off with a clean cloth or damp sponge.
When using vinegar inside your kettle you should rinse out fully and boil up water in your kettle that should be discarded to rid the kettle of the vinegar taste and smell. You can then fill and use your kettle as normal.
If you do not want vinegar as you are sensitive to the smell or taste then you can try mixing the baking soda with water and it should be effective if the limescale is not too severe.
If you like using vinegar then it can be effective on its own and can help remove rust from a stainless steel kettle too.
[amazon box=”B074J7X1DN,B07CN5K12R” grid=”2″]3. Ammonia
Ammonia can be used if you have tried a few options and the stains are stubborn.
As ammonia, a very strong you should open the windows of your kitchen so that the room is fully ventilated and you may want to wear a mask and goggles if you are worried about irritation.
You can dilute the ammonia with water and dab it on the kettle and wipe it down. You should ensure that you fully wipe down with water or soap and water to get rid of any traces of ammonia before using.
You can alter the ratio of water to ammonia if the stains are proving very difficult to remove. Ammonia should be used outside of the kettle only as you will not want to risk drinking any leftover ammonia once you have finished cleaning.
[amazon box=”B00FT4UGS8″ template=”vertical”]4. Lime Juice
We know that vinegar and/or baking soda can help to clean both in and outside your kettle but another option for cleaning the inside of the kettle is lime juice.
You can pour one cup of lime juice into the kettle on its own or mix it with baking soda and then pour it inside. You should leave for a few minutes then fill the kettle with water and boil.
Once boiled, allow the mixture to sit for 30-45 minutes, and then empty and refill the kettle with plain water after going it a full rinse.
It is good practice to get rid of the first boil (you can use it for cleaning the dishes or in your mop bucket so that it doe snot go to waste) before drinking the next batch.
[amazon box=”B007SNIK1S” template=”vertical”]5. Commercial Limescale Cleaners
There are lots of different kettle and limescale cleaners on the market that you can find in most grocery stores and hardware stores. You should always follow the instructions on the label to ensure you clean your kettle correctly and safely.
[amazon box=”B0041WJ928″ template=”vertical”]6. Oven Cleaner
Commercial oven cleaners are a great option if you want a fuss-free way of cleaning kettles. Please note that this option is for the outside of your kettle only.
You do not want any of the oven cleaner inside your kettle or near the spout as it contains strong chemicals that can affect the taste of the water and your drinks and could be harmful to your health.
For safety, it is important to follow the instructions on the packaging of your oven cleaner. Once you have completed your cleaning you should rinse fully with water.
[amazon box=”B09DDFRQ8Q” template=”vertical”]Tools for Cleaning Kettles
Generally, you will only need sponges and cleaning clothes to clean your kettle unless you buy products that are specifically designed o clean kettles.
If you do choose to use tools then they should not be sharp or hard as they can scratch the stainless steel on your kettle.
This means that steel wool or hard brush shock be avoided. You can buy soft brushes for cleaning kettles which can help remove limescale without causing damage to your kettle.
[amazon box=”B017Y9P6NK” template=”vertical”]How to Avoid Limescale
The key to keeping limescale and calcium deposits from running your stainless steel kettle you should wipe down your kettle regularly. A damp cloth dipped in water, soap, and water or vinegar should be sufficient.
You should get yourself into the habit of cleaning down your kettle just as you would your countertops and oven tops.
If your kettle is situated near your oven and stove then you may need to clean it more regularly as it will get splatters of grease and oil over the outside of it. The handle and lid of your kettle should get special attention as they will naturally have more dirt on them from handling them.
As soon as you see dirt on the outside or you spill something on it, wipe it down the straightaway and there should be no nasty build-up of dirt. The same goes for limescale inside the kettle, as soon as you see small deposits you should follow one of the above.
Removing Hard Water Deposits From a Kettle
As mentioned earlier in the article, if you live in a hard water area you will need to ensure that you keep on top of the health of your kettles.
Hard water will leave deposits in your kettle which present in the form of flaky, white pieces that either stick to the side of your kettle or coma away and float in the water. You should look inside your kettle regularly when you fill it up to look out for signs of the problem.
It is good practice to treat your kettle for hard water deposits regularly, even if you do not notice any bits on your kettle or your drinks. The deposits are usually calcium or magnesium and will affect the taste and tectonic are of your water so you will want to act on the issue quickly.
Harsh water stains can be removed without the use of harsh chemicals and excessive tools by following the below steps:
- Get a clean spray bottle and fill it with distilled white vinegar
- Spray the vinegar on the outside of the stainless steel kettle and then wipe off with a clean cloth It may be helpful to move your hand in a circular motion to prevent streak marks on the kettle
- Fill your kettle with an equal amount of vinegar and water mixture and allow to boil
- Empty the water after swishing it around the areas where you can see any deposits
- Repeat this process until you can no longer see any deposits and then rinse fully before use.
Whichever solution you choose for clowning your kettle you should make sure that it is rinsed out fully before use. It is advised to boil a kettle of water and discard it and then fill it again with a fresh batch of water for your first cup of tea after cleaning.
Farah Zeb is a mother of five, including two children with special needs. She shares practical parenting tips and resources to help other families navigate daily challenges and create supportive, nurturing environments.
