Here's the Truth About Using Vinegar to Clean Your Electric Kettle
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Never underestimate the power of an electric kettle. They boil water super fast and can look really cute while doing it. During long winters, what could be more comfy than enjoying a cup of warm mint tea while curled up next to the fire? Or remember college days when you couldn't bear the thought of going to the dining hall again and only a cup of ginger garlic chicken ramen noodles would do? While you can heat a pot of water on the stove (or hot plate), plugging in an electric kettle and hitting the "on" switch is faster and more energy efficient—that is, if you keep it clean.
You might be thinking, how dirty can boiling water be? After a lot of use, that kettle can get full of white salt-like scales and just won’t boil water fast enough to satisfy that tea craving. You know how to clean a dishwasher. You know how to clean a washing machine. Now you can learn how to clean your kettle, and you'll be brewing that cup of Earl Grey in no time!
Why is my kettle scaly?
Water contains minerals and as it boils, some of those minerals get left behind and fall to the bottom of the kettle. This is particularly problematic if you live in an area with hard water—meaning there are lots of minerals in your water. Over time, these scales, also called “furring,” will gunk up the heating element and cause your kettle to be inefficient.
3 Ways to Clean an Electric Kettle
To get rid of those nasty scales from the inside of your kettle, you'll need an acidic compound, whether in the form of vinegar or a powder like citric acid (both of which should be diluted with water). You can even use soda pop! Just remember, whichever of these three methods you use, you need to keep the electrical components safe and dry. So use these cleaning agents on the inside of your kettle only.
Grab a bottle of vinegar.
If you have distilled white vinegar on hand, add equal parts water and vinegar to the kettle until it is about halfway full. Bring to a boil; allow the boiled vinegar water mixture to sit in the kettle for 15 or 20 minutes. Pour out the mixture and rinse the kettle. If there are still scales or gunk inside the kettle, use the rough side of a sponge to remove anything that is sticking around.
Use citric acid.
Citric acid, a naturally occurring element in citrus fruit, has been manufactured commercially since the early 20th century. It's good at breaking down gunk and grime, and also for getting rid of mildew, mold, and bacteria. To use it to clean your kettle, start by filling the tank halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Once the water boils, add 1 to 2 tablespoons citric acid and let the mixture sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Pour out the water and scrub with a sponge as needed; rinse.
Or use soda!
If you have some flat Coke or Pepsi (you can use fizzy soda, but why waste it?) sitting around, don’t toss it. Throw it in your kettle and use it to get rid of those scales. Fill the kettle up about 1/4 to 1/2 full with soda. Bring to a boil and let sit for about 30 minutes. Pour out the pop, scrub as needed, and rinse thoroughly.
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