Tea drinkers, how often do you clean you tea kettle? When you actually clean it, do you just use soap, water and a little bit of effort or do you use other items to get a thorough deep cleaning done?

It is said that knowing how to clean your tea kettle is helpful for making the best-tasting cups of tea. Regardless of if you use an electric kettle or a stovetop kettle, minerals from water can get trapped inside and affect the taste of your teas and other other hot beverages. This build up of minerals is generally referred to as kettle furring.

Fortunately for you, cleaning your kettle and removing limescale and mineral buildup is simple. You only need a few supplies that you probably already have on hand. At the top of the list are vinegar, lemon juice and, the multifaceted, vinegar.

The following are steps you can follow to clean your kettle.

Steps on how to clean an electric tea kettle using vinegar or lemon juice

Step 1: Descale Kettle Interior

Fill the kettle with a solution of 50 per cent water and 50 per cent of either distilled white vinegar, cleaning vinegar, or lemon juice. Turn on the kettle and bring the solution to a full boil, then turn it off. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes before pouring out the solution.

Step 2: Clean Water Filter

Unplug the kettle. If your model has a water filter, remove it. Clean or replace the filter according to the manufacturer’s directions. Most filters can be cleaned by soaking them in a solution of one part water to one part distilled white vinegar. Then, wash the filter with hot, soapy water.

Step 3: Scrub Kettle Interior

To clean the inside of the kettle, use a soft-bristled brush or sponge to scrub away any mineral buildup that remains inside. Dip the brush or sponge in pure distilled vinegar to help dislodge any minerals around the spout.

Step 4: Clean Kettle Exterior

Firstly, do not submerge an electric tea kettle in water. This will damage the heating element. To clean the exterior, follow these steps:

• Mix some warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid.

• Dip the sponge in the soapy water and wipe down the outer surface.

• If there are tough splatters, dip the damp sponge in some dry baking soda and use it to scrub the exterior, removing stuck-on messes.

Step 5: Buff Kettle

Finish cleaning the exterior by wiping the surface with a lint-free cloth. If you have a stainless steel kettle, you can use a small amount of olive oil on the cloth and rub the exterior of the kettle for a streak-free shine.

Step 6: Rinse Kettle

Reassemble the kettle and fill it with water. Bring the water to a boil and then pour it out. This rinse cycle will get rid of any remaining vinegar and loose minerals.

How to Clean a Stovetop Tea Kettle With Vinegar or Lemon Juice

Step 1: Descale Kettle Interior

Fill the kettle with a solution of 50 per cent water and 50 per cent of either distilled white vinegar, cleaning vinegar, or lemon juice. Place the kettle on the stovetop and bring the solution to a full boil. Turn off the stove and let the kettle sit for at least 20 minutes to descale the minerals from the inside. Pour out the solution.

Step 2: Scrub Kettle Interior

Use a soft-bristled brush or sponge to scrub away any remaining mineral buildup inside the kettle. Dip the brush or sponge in pure distilled vinegar to help dislodge built-up minerals around the inside spout opening, the spout tip, and the edges of the lid.

Step 3: Clean Kettle Exterior

To clean the outside of the kettle and lid, mix some warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
Dip the sponge in the soapy solution and wipe down the exterior. For splatters and greasy residue from the stovetop, dip the damp sponge in some dry baking soda and scrub gently. Rinse well. If your stovetop kettle is especially dirty on the outside, you can fill a sink or big enough basin with hot water and dishwashing liquid. Submerge the kettle and allow it to soak for at least 30 minutes before cleaning, following the steps above.

Step 4: Rinse Kettle

Fill the kettle with water and bring it to a boil. Pour out the water. This is the final rinse cycle to get rid of any remaining cleaning solution and loose minerals.

Step 5: Dry Kettle

Complete the kettle cleaning by drying the exterior with a lint-free cloth. If you have a stainless steel kettle, put a small drop of olive oil on the cloth and rub the outside of the kettle for a streak-free shine. If your kettle has an external copper finish, you can restore or maintain the finish by cutting a lemon in half, dip it in salt, then use it to rub the surface of the kettle back to a shine.

How to Clean a Burnt Tea Kettle With Baking Soda

If the bottom of your stovetop kettle is burnt, baking soda can help in the cleaning process.

Fill the sink with hot water and a few drops of degreasing dishwashing liquid. Put the kettle in the solution and let it soak for at least 20 minutes until the water cools.

Step 2: Apply Baking Soda

Remove the kettle from the water and sprinkle it with baking soda.

Step 3: Scrub Bottom of Kettle

Dampen a soft-bristled brush or a sponge with water and squirt on a bit of dishwashing liquid. Scrub the kettle using small circles. Rinse your brush or sponge as the blackened mess is transferred. Once stains are gone, rinse the kettle thoroughly.

Step 4: Remove Stubborn Stains

If stains remain, repeat the soaking and scrubbing steps. Alternatively, make a paste of baking soda and a few drops of white vinegar (there will be fizzing) to remove the final bits of burned-on mess.

Give these tips and accompanying steps a try the next time you attempt to clean your kettle and see if there’s a difference.

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