Tea kettles are an essential piece in many kitchens. They’re great for making a warm cup of tea during the winter, for brewing iced tea during the summer, and – for many students – preparing a cup of instant noodles!

While it’s easy to use a tea kettle, it’s also easy to forget about cleaning them. Keeping your tea kettle clean will help its longevity, and keep your water clear from lime scale buildup.

What is Lime Scale?

Lime scale is the white mineral residue which is left behind by hard water. The exact composition varies from region to region. Lime scale buildup is hard to clean when a lot has accumulated. However, regular maintenance will make this task much easier!

If you have hard water in your area, it’s possible to ‘soften’ it and reduce the amount of lime scale buildup in your kettle. Kits are available for the whole household, but you can also purchase a pitcher with ion exchange filter to use specifically for your kettle.

How to Clean a Tea Kettle

It’s important to maintain your tea kettle regularly. In areas with very hard water, it doesn’t take long for lime scale to build up and start floating in your hot morning beverage! There are three main methods to clean – also known as ‘descale’ - a tea kettle.

Lime Scale Remover

Most hardware stores sell lime scale remover. The method to use the solution varies between manufacturers. It’s also important to check the manufacturer’s label before purchase to ensure that the product is safe for use on tea kettles.

Vinegar

White vinegar, a common household feature, is an easy way to clean your tea kettle. All you need to do is add an equal amount of vinegar and water to your kettle, let it sit for 15 – 20 minutes, then boil it. Rinse the kettle and boil a fresh pot of water after cleaning.

You can increase the vinegar ratio for particularly stubborn lime scale deposits. These hard-to-remove deposits may require multiple tries.

If desired, use a soft scrub brush to help the process – but be careful not to burn yourself!

Some people find that the vinegar method leaves a vinegary smell which is hard, but not impossible, to remove. You may have to boil water in the kettle several times before the vinegar smell fades.

Citric Acid Powder

One way to avoid the lingering smell of vinegar in your kettle is to use citric acid. Citric acid is a weak acid found in many fruits. It’s usually used to make things taste sour. You can find citric acid in the canning section of your local grocery store, or order it online.

All you need to do is add a couple tablespoons of citric acid powder to the water, let it sit for 15 – 20 minutes, then boil it. Rinse the kettle and boil a fresh pot of water afterwards.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is another great way to clean your tea kettle, and an alternative to using white vinegar. Your kettle will also smell great afterwards!

The method to descale your tea kettle is the same as using white vinegar. To remove lighter deposits, use lemon juice and a soft scrub sponge.

How to Clean an Electric Tea Kettle

Cleaning an electric tea kettle is just about the same as cleaning a standard kettle. The main difference is that you want your kettle to be unplugged before you start cleaning!

Many electric kettles have a filter near the pour spout. You’ll also want to clean that regularly, as it’s possible for lime scale to build up there as well.

Additionally, some manufacturers recommend against using the vinegar cleaning method for electric kettles. Check to make sure there are no warnings against using vinegar in your owner’s manual before you start.

Additional Tea Kettle Maintenance Tips

Regularly maintaining your tea kettle will prolong its life so you can use it for years. These tips will help keep your tea kettle in top shape for years to come.

• Don’t leave standing water in your tea kettle
• Don’t submerge an electric tea kettle in water during the cleaning process, as this may damage the heating element
• Depending on how quickly lime scale deposits develop, clean your kettle either weekly or monthly
• Using distilled or bottled water will slow the development of lime scale deposits

Tea Kettles at Linen Store

Tea kettles are a convenient way to boil water for a wide number of uses. If you’re a brand new kettle owner, check out our helpful tea kettle tips!

Sometimes, despite regular cleaning and maintenance, well-loved tea kettles simply wear out. If you’re in the market for a new kettle, then we have many tea kettles to choose from.