If you are a Tea lover you most likely own a tea kettle to heat your water up before infusing your favorite tea leaves in it. Our tea kettles serve us well on a daily basis, they boil our water in no time and whistle when it’s ready to be used. They are such useful items in our kitchen and make our life easier. But just like any other appliance regularly used, it requires some special care once in a while to maintain its shine.
In this post, you will find useful tips on how to clean your favorite tea kettle (whether it’s glass or metallic) with cleaning product or homemade solutions. Even though polishing your kettle may not improve its performance, it will definitely ensure that it works properly and lasts longer and it’s also good hygiene!
Why should you clean your Kettle?
The answer is limescale! You may have noticed some white mineral deposits around your kettle’s spout and lid or the inside of it. This is caused by minerals found in tap water, especially if you live in an area with hard water. Limescale, also known as calcium carbonate, tends to build up in any hard-to-clean areas -such as pipes, central heating systems and kettles- where hot water has evaporated and solidified. It is difficult to remove making kettle cleaning challenging since the harder you scrub, the more susceptible it is to remove the inner surface of it during the process. But don’t worry because with the right product or a mixture of mild acids you can effectively dissolve this unwanted and unsightly buildup.
How to clean the inside of the Kettle
Here’s a general step-by-step process for how to clean the inside of a kettle:
- Dilute a naturally derived cleaning product (I recommend Natural Citizen unscented, all-purpose cleaner) with water and pour into the kettle.
- Boil the kettle for about 10-15 minutes.
- Let the solution soak in the kettle for some time.
- Rinse thoroughly with cold water and let air dry completely.
Alternatively:
- Combine 1 cup of distilled vinegar and 1 cup of water (you can use more or less depending on your kettle’s size). Put the mixture in your kettle and boil for about 10 minutes. Let cool down and then pour the mixture out.
- To neutralize the vinegar smell and taste, fill your kettle up with fresh warm water and add 1/4 cup baking soda. Allow the mixture to sit for 15 minutes.
- Empty your kettle and rinse with warm water, then allow your kettle to air dry completely.
If you are not a fan of vinegar you can also use lemon or lime juice instead. It works just as well and will give your kettle a very pleasant citrusy smell!
How to clean the outside of the kettle
Often our kettles are left on or around our stoves where are cooking takes place daily and as a result it gathers unwanted grime and grease. You need to get rid of the dirt collecting on your kettle on a weekly basis because bacteria and germs tend to grow on those surfaces but also do so gently to avoid scratching it. To clean the outside of your kettle:
- Combine 1 tablespoon of vinegar with 2 tablespoons of salt or baking soda mixed in a small bowl.
- Using a dampen with hot water non-scratch scrubbing sponge and the mixture gently scrub the exterior of your kettle and then rinse it with cold water to remove the cleaning solution.
- Wipe your kettle down with a cleaning cloth and some distilled vinegar.
- Rinse the outside of your kettle and air dry.
Other kettle maintenance tips
- Perform the above cleaning steps every two or three weeks depending on how often you use it and how hard the water you use is.
- Keep your kettle empty when you are not using it. Water sitting for extended periods of time can cause limescale to build up quicker.
- Every couple of days give your kettle a quick wipe down with a cloth and distilled vinegar.
- Store your kettle away from the stove or cooking areas if possible.
How are you cleaning your Tea kettle? Is there any products you use or other useful tips to keep it shiny and streak-free?