How to descale a kettle?

How often do you clean a kettle? 

To keep that kettle looking good and helping you to get great-tasting results, make cleaning it a regular habit. It deserves a bit of TLC to make sure it doesn’t get clogged up with the white limescale that gets left behind when water evaporates. If you live in a hard-water area, you’ll know it well! But don’t worry — an easy routine will keep that kettle sparkling like new. 

What you’ll need to clean your electric kettle

Cleaning your electric kettle is a simple process, that doesn’t require much effort:

• Daily cleaning: To keep the kettle exterior looking shiny, use a damp cloth to get rid of any splashes and residue, and then polish it dry with a soft cloth. 

• Interior cleaning and descaling: To clean or descale the interior of the kettle, all you need is approximately one cup of white vinegar. You can find out how to do it below.

Why is vinegar good for descaling?

Thanks to its mild acidity, vinegar is a great solution for breaking down mineral build-up in electric kettles. It’s a popular alternative to using a descaling agent and tends to be in the cupboard ready for regular cleaning and descaling.

How to clean with vinegar

Step 1. Combine water and vinegar

Fill your kettle with 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water.

Step 2. Bring mixture to a boil

Bring the vinegar and water mixture to the boil and allow to stand overnight before emptying the solution out.

Step 3. Drain and rinse

Fill the kettle up with water, bring to the boil, and then drain. Repeat to remove any lingering vinegar odour or taste, and then your electric kettle is ready for use again.

Does vinegar work as a descaler?

Are you wondering, does descaling with vinegar work? Yes, it’s mildly acidic and generally accepted as a safe and effective way to break down mineral build-up in a kettle. However, there are plenty of alternatives if you’re not a fan of cleaning with vinegar.

Other ways to clean inside a kettle

You can also clean the interior of a kettle using lemon juice, citric acid, baking soda or flat soda, or a professional descaler. Simply heat your preferred solution, and allow it to sit before discarding and rinsing. Check the user manual when you unbox a kettle for any particular care tips, but here’s some general guidance on the options…

How to clean with lemon juice or citric acid

Lemon juice and citric acid make excellent cleaning agents. The acid acts as a natural bleach and antiseptic, plus the smell of lemons is a refreshing aroma for the kitchen. 

Step 1: add cleaning agent

Pour a tablespoon of citric acid powder or lemon juice in the kettle.

Step 2: add water

Add enough water to cover the base and turn the kettle on.

Step 3: discard water

Once the mixture has boiled, discard any remaining water and rinse several times with tap water.

How to clean with baking soda

You’re likely to have baking soda tucked away in a cupboard already, making this an effective and practical cleaning method.

Step 1: add baking soda

Add 1–2 tablespoons of baking soda to your kettle, then fill with water and boil.

Step 2: let kettle cool

Remove the kettle from the heat and let it sit for about 10 minutes.

Step 3: scrub kettle

Gently scrub the inside with a non-abrasive brush. Wait until the kettle is cool to the touch, and then rinse with clean water.

How to clean with a descaler

You may decide to opt for a kettle limescale remover. These descalers are available to purchase in sachets, as tablets or in bottles and have their own usage instructions.

Tip: Descaler balls catch the minerals in water

Kettle descaler balls are used to catch limescale particles and prevent build-up. Made of a condensed mesh of wire, they stay inside to help to keep your kettle clean for longer. Particularly if you live in a ‘hard water area’, which has a water supply with high levels of mineral content, a mesh insert can be a useful addition to your kitchen.

Ways to clean the outside of your kettle

New kettles look fantastic, shining on the work surface. To keep the outside of yours looking as good as the moment you unwrapped it, give it a quick wipe each day with a damp cloth to remove any water splashes and residue, and then dry and polish with a soft cloth.

Clean with washing up liquid

You can use your favourite dish detergent to clean the outside of your kettle. Wash the outside with dish soap and then wipe it over with a damp cloth, being careful to not get detergent inside the kettle. When you’ve finished, dry the surface with a dish towel.

Shine with olive oil

Olive oil is an excellent, natural cleaning solution for polishing stainless steel kitchen appliances like kettles. Dab a small amount (about a teaspoon or so) of olive oil onto a soft, microfiber cloth. Rub the cloth gently over the surface to create a lustrous shine.

Keeping your ideal kettle clean 

Whether you’re steeping a soothing cup of herbal tea or blooming cocoa powder to incorporate into a rich chocolate dessert, an electric kettle is a convenient way to heat water quickly. Explore different sizes, features and designs at KitchenAid kettles — which include variable temperature models that heat the water to the temperature of your choice

Whichever kettle you have at home, remember to care for it routinely so that it looks smart, performs at its best, and preserves the quality and taste of the water that goes in your cup.