• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
go to homepage

Search by
Category
  • Cleaning Blog
  • Automotive
  • Bathroom Appliances and Fixtures
  • Carpets and Rugs
  • Cats
  • Closets and Organization
  • Dogs
  • Electronics
  • Fabrics
  • Floor & Carpet
  • Floors
  • Food
  • Furniture
  • General Housecleaning
  • House
  • Household Appliances and Fixtures
  • Jewelry
  • Kitchen Appliances and Fixtures
  • Kitchen and Bathroom Surfaces
  • Kitchenware
  • Metals
  • Outdoors
  • Other Pets, Animals and Pests
  • People
  • Stain Removal
  • Stuff
  • Surfaces
  • Things You Own
  • Tools and Techniques
  • Walls and Ceilings
  • Windows
  • Everything Else
  • Ask us your cleaning question

go to homepage

How To Clean Stuff.net

Search by
Category
  • Cleaning Blog
  • Automotive
  • Bathroom Appliances and Fixtures
  • Carpets and Rugs
  • Cats
  • Closets and Organization
  • Dogs
  • Electronics
  • Fabrics
  • Floor & Carpet
  • Floors
  • Food
  • Furniture
  • General Housecleaning
  • House
  • Household Appliances and Fixtures
  • Jewelry
  • Kitchen Appliances and Fixtures
  • Kitchen and Bathroom Surfaces
  • Kitchenware
  • Metals
  • Outdoors
  • Other Pets, Animals and Pests
  • People
  • Stain Removal
  • Stuff
  • Surfaces
  • Things You Own
  • Tools and Techniques
  • Walls and Ceilings
  • Windows
  • Everything Else
  • Ask us your cleaning question

Home / Cleaning Guides / Kitchen & Bath / Kitchenware / How to Clean the Inside of a Stainless Steel Tea Kettle

How to Clean the Inside of a Stainless Steel Tea Kettle

Table of Contents:
  1. Baking Soda Method
  2. Vinegar Method
  3. Additional Tips and Advice

ABlue-Kettle tea kettle is not the same as a teapot. A kettle is the container used to boil water on the stove to make the tea, which is then poured into a teapot to be served. Teapots are mostly decorative; they are not built to withstand the hot temperatures needed for cooking on a stove top. If you need to clean a teapot, use the guide How to Clean the Inside of a Stainless Steel Teapot.

For tea kettles, regular washings with soap and water will keep your kettle clean enough to use, but does not remove the stubborn stains that may be left from hard water, rust, or even tea if you have your kettle do double-duty as a teapot too. For the best tasting tea, you want your water to come from a clean kettle. Here’s how to get your stainless steel kettle clean and shining again.

Baking Soda Method

You Will Need:

  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • Bottle scrubber (found in the baby section) or dry rice
  • Soft cloths or scrubbing pads

Steps to Clean the Tea Kettle:

  1. Pour one cup of baking soda into the pot.
  2. Add water to fill the kettle.
  3. Heat the water and baking soda to boiling.
  4. Remove the kettle from the heat and allow it to set for at least 10 minutes.
  5. With a scrub brush or other scrubber, gently scrub the inside of the kettle. Be careful not to burn yourself. If you don’t have a brush that will fit in the kettle opening, there are ones you can get such as a narrow neck brush or baby bottle brush. Dry rice can also be used as a scrubber; simply pour in about 1/4 cup and swirl it around.
  6. If stains remain, pour out most of the boiled water, leaving only a small amount on the bottom.
  7. Pour in additional baking soda.
  8. Mix the baking soda around with a scrubbing brush or pad. As the baking soda mixes with the water it will form a paste. If it dissolves in the water, you need to add more baking soda.
  9. Continue scrubbing the inside of the kettle. The baking soda will act as a mild abrasive and “scrub” away the stains.
  10. Once the stains removed, wash as normal.
  11. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
  12. Dry with a soft cloth.

Vinegar Method

This method works well for a general cleaning, removing stains, and also to remove rust. Use this method for removing limescale or mineral deposits as well. The fumes drom the vinegar can be strong, so be sure to ventilate the area and/or turn on a fan.

You Will Need:

  • White vinegar
  • Water
  • Soft cloths or scrubbing pads
  • Rice

Steps to Clean the Tea Kettle:

  1. Fill the kettle with equal amounts of water and white vinegar.
  2. Place the kettle on the stove and bring the liquids to a boil.
  3. Allow them to boil for a few minutes, then turn off the heat.
  4. When the water cools down to a warm temperature, dispose of the water.
  5. Use a soft cloth or scrubbing pad to wipe the stains away from the insides of the kettle. If you can’t put your hand in the kettle, put a damp cloth in and close the lid. Shake the kettle to swirl the cloth around along the sides, then remove the lid and turn the kettle upside-down so you can pull out the cloth. Dry rice can also be used instead of a cloth if preferred.
  6. Wash as normal, and rinse completely with clean water.
  7. Dry with a soft cloth.
  8. Diluted vinegar can also be used on a soft cloth to polish the exterior of the kettle.

Additional Tips and Advice

  • Scouring powders such as Bar Keepers Friend have also been used to effectively remove stains from kettles. Be sure to rinse it well after cleaning.
  • Avoid using abrasive scrubbing pads as they may scratch the surface. Nylon or plastic scrubbers are best.
  • If you need to clean the outside of the kettle and it is uncoated, use the guide How to Clean Stainless Steel.
  • Watch the pot carefully when boiling. Never let your teapot boil dry or it will create scorch marks, and you’ll be left with a new stain on your hands. If you need to remove scorch marks, use the guide How to Remove Scorch Marks from Stainless Steel.
  • Here is a home remedy submitted by a site user (Thanks DJM!): Fill the kettle to 3/4 with water, then add 2 TSP salt and 2 TSP lemon juice. Let the mixture boil for 5-10 minutes, then let it fully cool and use a bottle brush while rinsing it out.

Cleaning Guides, Kitchenware

Was This Guide Helpful?

+134
-12
Rating: 92%. From 146 votes.
Please wait...

Related Posts

  • How to Clean the Inside of a Stainless Steel Teapot
  • How to Clean a Stainless Steel Grill
  • How to Clean Stainless Steel
  • How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances
  • How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances
  • How to Clean Hardened Sauce from Stainless Steel Cooktop

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, conse ctetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit sed diam.


Thank you for subscribing!

Reader Interactions

About the Author

Avatar photo

Melanie

Hi! I am a seasoned writer-researcher who prides myself on quality and accuracy. I always vet my sources and test the cleaning methods I prescribe! I hope my cleaning guides can help you out! :)

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Helpful comments include feedback on the recipe or changes you made.

show comments +

Comments

  1. Sissy says

    February 18, 2018 at 6:38 pm

    I’ve never cleaned the inside of my silver tea kettle. Is this a health hazard? I just use it to boil water!

    Reply
    • Babe says

      January 8, 2019 at 9:21 am

      I have had mine for probably more than six years and never cleaned the inside either. I’ve recently noticed white-looking junk in the bottom of my teacups. Thought it was the stevia, then stopped it, then the tea bags, nope… turns out it’s the KETTLE! It has a very small opening and I can’t see inside even with a flashlight. I was thinking of throwing it away, but am going to try this first. I hope I’ve not been poisoning myself… UGH!

      Reply
  2. Mary says

    December 18, 2018 at 9:57 pm

    My teapot is hotel ware. Is it plated silver?
    Can’t boil it up (don’t think).
    Teapot smells and there’s a taste from it. Any ideas???

    Reply
    • Avatar photoMelanie says

      January 15, 2019 at 5:12 am

      Mary,
      Search online for the user guide for your specific teapot to get the best instructions and info. Good luck!

      Reply
  3. Jill says

    February 23, 2019 at 2:05 pm

    Can I mix water, baking soda & vinegar in the stainless steel teapot, & follow the directions above for cleaning the inside of the tea pot?

    Reply
    • Avatar photoMelanie says

      March 4, 2019 at 10:07 pm

      Hi Jill,
      You can do that, however the baking soda and vinegar will fizz up when mixed so be aware of that; you may want to do that in the sink so any spill-over from the fizz is contained. Good luck!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Featured Guides

How to Clean a Hairbrush

How to Clean a Microwave Oven With ZERO Chemicals

How to Clean Every Dental Retainer

How to Clean your Macbook’s Screen

Join our mailing list.
Be the first to know about new arrivals, sales, and special events.
Thank you for subscribing!

Footer

Browse by Category

  • Automotive
  • Clothing & Fabrics
  • Floors & Carpets
  • Housecleaning
  • Kitchen & Bath
  • Outdoors
  • People & Pets
  • Household Stuff

Contact

  • Ask Us Your Cleaning Questions
  • Contact Form

Follow us on Social Media

Site Information

  • Cookie Policy
  • Guest Post Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • XML Sitemap

Copyright © 2023 · HowToCleanStuff.net · All Rights Reserved · Website by Anchored Design