Cleaning Experts Share How to Clean an Electric Kettle Correctly

There’s no need to wait on the stove when an electric kettle can boil water in minutes. From tea and coffee to quick meals like pasta and ramen, the best electric kettles are convenient and easy to maintain. That said, regular cleaning is key to preventing mineral buildup and keeping the device running properly.

Luckily, the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute know a thing or two about electric kettle maintenance. “It’s important to clean your kettle to keep the water tasting fresh. Plus, you’ll be able to see the build-up if you have a clear kettle, so cleaning it will also help it look its best,” says Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen & Cooking Lab.

While you can opt to purchase a descaling solution, you can also make your own. We’ll walk you through how often to clean your kettle, the main DIY descaling methods recommended by our experts, and tips for cleaning the outside of your electric kettle.

You need to descale your kettle because of mineral buildup, specifically calcium and magnesium from your local water supply. How often you’ll need to clean your kettle depends on how “hard” your water is, since hard water contains more mineral deposits. It’ll also depend on how often you use the kettle. Typically, you should aim to clean it around once a month, or per the manufacturer’s instructions. Removing mineral buildup in your kettle is called “descaling,” a process you may be familiar with if you own a coffee or espresso maker.

Carolyn Forté, the former executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab, points out that acids, such as vinegar and citric acid, are effective at dissolving hard-water mineral deposits throughout the house, including the bathroom, dishwasher, and laundry. If you've ever cleaned a Keurig coffee maker, this method should look familiar.

1. Combine 1 part white distilled vinegar with 3 parts fresh water in the kettle. Our experience has shown that you don't need to fill the kettle more than a third full. For a 1-liter electric kettle, use 1/4 cup of vinegar and 3/4 cup of water. If your electric kettle is larger, try 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1 1/2 cups of water.
2. Bring the water and vinegar to a boil, turn off the kettle, then let it sit for 20 minutes.
3. Rinse it out several times with fresh water to flush away the buildup. If the buildup was heavy, you can use a soft sponge or cloth to wipe the inside of the kettle as well.
4. To ensure any lingering vinegar taste is gone, you can optionally refill the kettle with water only, boil and discard.

The acid in lemon juice can also descale an electric kettle, and since tea and lemon pair naturally, you won't have to worry about any unappetizing lingering tastes. Alternatively, you can use citric acid powder, which dissolves in water and then breaks down gunk in the same way as lemon juice. Citric acid powder is often sold alongside spices in grocery stores and is used in canning and preserving. It's also a natural preservative listed on plenty of food labels. For this method:

1. Fill your kettle halfway with water, then add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or citric acid.
2. Bring the liquid to a boil, turn off the kettle and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Dump out the mixture and rinse the kettle thoroughly with fresh water.
3. Wipe away heavy deposits using a soft sponge or cloth.

Baking soda is a tried-and-true cleaner and works well for descaling light deposits in the bottom of your electric kettle. Use it this way:

1. Scoop 1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda into the kettle, then add water to at least the halfway mark.
2. Boil, turn the kettle off and let the mixture sit for 20 minutes.
3. Rinse the kettle with water and wipe the bottom with a sponge or soft cloth. Rinse again to be sure you've removed all traces of baking soda.

• If the buildup is especially bad or you're cleaning for the first time in a year or more, you can let your cleaning solution — whether you're using vinegar, lemon juice, citric acid or baking soda — sit overnight before you rinse.
• Cleaning methods are the same whether your electric kettle is made of glass, ceramic, or stainless steel.
• If your electric kettle has a filter, most manufacturers recommend removing it, running it under water to clean it, then wiping it with a clean cloth.
• You don't need to use dish soap inside a kettle. Most manufacturers only recommend an electric kettle for boiling water, so you shouldn't have to worry about grease or food stains inside. Also, you shouldn't use an abrasive brush inside, because you need to protect the heating element. Bottom line: Be gentle!

We suggest wiping down the outside every so often, especially if your electric kettle gets splattered with grease or sauce during cooking. Dip a cloth into a sudsy mix of dish soap and water, wring it out so that it's just damp and not soaking wet and wipe the kettle clean. Repeat the process with clean water to rinse the soap. Do not place your kettle under running water. You should not immerse it or put it in the dishwasher either. This could damage the electronics.

Jessica Hartshorn

Contributing Writer

Jessica (she/her) is a contributor with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home, pet, and parenting products for families. A mom of two young adults and a cat, she was previously the Entertainment Editor at Parents and the Senior Lifestyle Editor at American Baby. When not testing toys, subtly starting at people's strollers, or taking meetings to learn about new car seats, she likes to travel. In 2026, she's made it to every continent except Antarctica.

Laura Millar

Contributing Writer

Laura Millar (she/her) is a freelance lifestyle journalist for Good Housekeeping. She holds a degree in Film, TV & Media from the University of Michigan, and was previously the assistant lifestyle editor for GH, where she covered home design. Her byline has appeared in NBC's TODAY.com, PEOPLE, Real Simple, and Business Insider.