How To Clean Inside Of A Kettle In 3 Different Ways

Cleaning your kettle doesn't have to be hard, and you can do it with simple kitchen staples you'll probably have at home. At Spotlight we have a kettle to suit every home, but it's important to keep them in good condition so they perform at peak capacity when you need a quick cup of tea or hot water for cooking. You can buy a commercial kitchen descaler, but why not get results that are just as good using simple ingredients you have at home?

In this blog, you'll learn how to clean scale from a kettle in three different ways, with each requiring very little effort, plus a little extra tip or two on keeping the outside of your kettle clean and sparkling!

Quick Links

• Why You Need To Clean And Descale Your Kettle
• How To Clean A Kettle With Vinegar
• How To Clean A Kettle With Baking Soda
• How To Clean A Kettle With Lemon
• Bonus Tip - Cleaning The Outside Of Your Kettle

Why You Need To Clean And Descale Your Kettle

While a clean and shiny kettle is a lovely thing to look at in your kitchen, keeping the insides clean is equally important, but for different reasons. When you boil your water, minerals are left behind (called limescale, or scale for short) that can both degrade the quality of your kettle and affect the taste and texture of any hot water boiled inside. If you live in an area with particularly hard water, this build-up will happen more often than not. So how to clean the inside of a kettle, when you don't have any specialised tools or descalers? Here are some of our favourite ways for how to descale a kettle:

1. How To Clean A Kettle With Vinegar

White vinegar is a very effective solution for cleaning your kettle, as its acidity is perfect for removing stains and limescale. Here is how to clean a kettle with vinegar:

• Create a solution of one part white vinegar and two parts water. Make sure this solution fills up your kettle two-thirds of the way.
• Boil your kettle and then let the vinegar/water mixture sit for 15 minutes so it cools down.
• Unplug your kettle and use a toothbrush or soft scrubbing brush to gently clean the inside of the kettle, focusing on tight corners and crevices where limescale tends to build up. Do NOT scrub the heating element, as this can damage it.
• Rine out your kettle with fresh water so all the vinegar is gone, then fill it with fresh water one last time.
• Boil your water again and taste to see if any vinegar flavour remains. If it does, continue to rinse and boil until your kettle is back to normal.

If you have substantial limescale build-up you can use undiluted vinegar instead, but be sure to keep away from the steam produced, as it will be very unpleasant to inhale.

2. How To Clean A Kettle With Baking Soda

One of the most tried and tested cleaning products in the home, baking soda is a great way to clean your kettle - and you don't need much of it for a stunning result! Here is how to descale a kettle using baking soda in two ways:

• Create a solution of 500ml of water mixed with a teaspoon of baking soda and pour this into your kettle.
• Boil the kettle and leave for 15 minutes before pouring out.
• Rinse your kettle with fresh water until it tastes clean.

Or for stubborn build-up:

• Make a paste using a tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of water.
• Add this paste to a toothbrush and scrub at any limescale you can see in the kettle until it comes off.
• Fill your kettle with water, boil and then rinse until clean.

Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush for the second option, as you don't want the paste to scratch the inside of your kettle. And again, avoid scrubbing the heating element!

3. How To Clean A Kettle With Lemon

This all-natural cleaning technique will not only descale your kettle but leave your kitchen with a lovely, zesty aroma as well! Here is how to descale a kettle with lemon:

• Roll a whole lemon against your table with your hands to break down the inner membranes and help it release the juices. Then slice in half and cut two or three whole, circular slices and pop them in your kettle.
• Fill your kettle with water, about two-thirds of the way.
• Boil fully, then leave to sit for around 15 minutes until it has cooled.
• Unplug your kettle and then gently scrub inside your kettle with a soft-bristled brush if needed.
• Pour out the water (watch out for chunks of lemon!) and then rinse with fresh water until clean.

If the outside of your kettle could use a clean, you can repurpose your lemon water to wipe down the outer surface as well. Make sure to dry it with a microfibre towel afterwards.

Bonus Tip - Cleaning The Outside Of Your Kettle

Now that you know how to clean the inside of a kettle, what about the outside? Your kettle may accumulate water marks from pouring water in and out of it, plus depending on where it lives in your kitchen, food splatters may be on its surface as well.

Stainless steel, plastic and glass kettles are all easy to clean with a mixture of warm water and dish soap, although you need to be careful not to let this get into the kettle itself. Never immerse your electric kettle in water, as this can damage the heating elements.

Once it is clean, dry it with a soft microfibre cloth. Microfibre is preferred, as rougher tea towels and rags can scratch the surface of your kettle.

For a shiny finish, add a few drops of olive oil or baby to a rag and wipe down your kettle, then wipe again with a paper towel to remove any slipperiness.

Enjoy A Clean Kettle From Spotlight

Now that you know how to clean a kettle in a few handy ways, it's time to grab the perfect kettle from the kettle selection at Spotlight! Browse our kettle category online, pay your way and we'll deliver it straight to your front door. Alternatively, visit your nearest Spotlight store and our lovely team will help you choose the right kettle for your home.

Ensure you are making the right purchase choices by consulting our kitchen appliance, cookware and drinkware buying guides. And for kitchen and dining ideas and inspiration, check out some of our blogs, such as these ones on pantry organisation, tablescaping and setting up a home bar.