There’s nothing quite refreshing other than having a cup of coffee in the morning. An electric kettle has been our daily companion for serving up hot coffee. But when you put a lot of workload on the kettle, it may not perform remarkably like before.
If you think you can get away without regular cleaning of your kettle, you are wrong, mate! Alongside using it, you also need to clean it each time. But what if you don’t have white vinegar at home? Don’t worry. You can adopt other effective ways to clean your kettle. In this article, we will show you how to clean an electric kettle without vinegar.
How To Clean An Electric Kettle Without Vinegar
Lemon Water Method
Using lemon water can be an effective approach to get rid of rust and limescale build-up from your kettle. Check out the following simple steps to clean your kettle with lemon water:
Step 1: At first, fill up your kettle with clean fresh water. Then, take a fresh lemon and slice it into small pieces. Add them to the water inside the kettle. Alternatively, you can make lemon juice and add hot water to it.
Step 2: Switch on your kettle and boil the prepared solution for several minutes. Allow the mixture to soak for around 15-20 minutes.
Step 3: Finally, pour out the used solution and rinse your kettle with clean water.
Baking Soda Method
Baking soda is another viable solution instead of vinegar for the cleaning of kettle. To use baking soda, take a look at the given steps:
Step 1: First of all, fill up your kettle with water. Add a tablespoon of baking soda in the water.
Step 2: Then, turn on your kettle and let the baking soda solution boil for a while. Allow the mixture to stand for 20-30 minutes.
Step 3: In the end, pour out the solution and rinse the kettle with fresh clean water.
Alternatively, you can use baking soda by making its paste. To perform that method, use half a cup of sodium bicarbonate to make the paste. Add a couple of water drops to the paste. When they mix well, take a clean toothbrush. Then scrub your kettle properly with it to clean both inside and out of the kettle.
Citric Acid Method
In case you wonder if citric acid can clean your kettle, yes, it does. Since citric acid is a commercial cleaning material, it can certainly help you remove descaling your kettle. Have a glimpse at the following steps to use citric acid on your kettle:
Step 1: Initially, fill your kettle halfway with water. Boil the water inside your kettle and unplug it.
Step 2: Next, add 2 tablespoons of citric acid powder to the water. Use a spoon to stir the acidic solution properly.
Step 3: Allow the mixture to sit for around 20 minutes. After that, make the kettle empty and rinse it with clean cold water.
Coca Cola Method
Many people are not aware that coca coke is effective to clean an electric kettle. Coca cola contains carbonic acid, which can prevent the buildup of limescale in the kettle. To use coke properly, see the following steps:
- Fill your kettle with coke and allow it to boil.
- Keep the solution stable for around 30 minutes.
- After the cola cools down inside the kettle, pour it out.
- Wash the kettle thoroughly and rinse properly with fresh water.
How To Clean The Outside Of Your Kettle
Alongside the interior, cleaning the kettle exterior is also important. Many of us consistently use our kettle without cleaning the outside part. As a result, the kettle loses its shiny look and turns pale. Moreover, dust or marks can build up on the outside of the kettle.
So there is no doubt you have to focus on the exterior part as well. Maintain the following steps to clean the outside of your kettle:
Step 1: Take a clean damp cloth and spray any antibacterial cleaner on it. Then, wipe the outside part with the cloth to remove residue.
Step 2: Use olive oil to clean if you have a stainless steel kettle. That will give your kettle a bright and sparkling look again.
How Often Should You Clean A Kettle?
Well, in general, we advise cleaning your electric kettle with fresh water after each use. However, when limescale and rust start to build up, you need to use different solutions to prevent their deposit. In that case, you can use a variety of solutions at least once a week. Because your reluctance to clean your kettle can shorten its lifespan.
If you live in an area with a hard water supply, you need to take care of your kettle more frequently. The reason is that hard water can degrade your kettle precisely. So it is better to keep your kettle clean to prevent its degradation.
Tips To Clean Your Electric Kettle
- Avoid immersing your entire kettle under water. Because such an attempt can damage the heating element inside of your kettle.
- Never leave any leftover water in your kettle after each use. It can increase the possibility of mineral deposits in your kettle’s interior part.
- Be careful when you handle the kettle. Obviously, it can be hot after use. So you might end up burning your hands.
- Always clean your kettle by rubbing gently with a soft microfibre cloth or soft sponge. In fact, you can add some olive oil or soapy water to wipe your kettle’s outside surface.
- Remember to switch off your kettle before the cleaning process. Keeping it on can be fatal for you in the end.
- Make sure to keep the electric parts of your kettle dry. Otherwise, your kettle can stop functioning for the time being.
Final Words
An electric kettle works similar to other kitchen appliances. If you only use it without regular cleaning, it can get stinky. On top of that, you might lose the real taste of refreshing cups of teas or coffees from your kettle. Moreover, the situation can be difficult if you don’t have vinegar around.
Many people prefer to clean the kettle with vinegar solution. But apart from vinegar, you can also use other cleaning materials like lemon water, baking soda or citric acid. And, for your knowledge, we explained the steps on how to clean an electric kettle without vinegar. Now it’s time for you to get hands on your electric kettle and clean it to have an amazing coffee drinking experience.
