How to Clean the Inside of a Stainless Steel Tea Kettle

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.

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.

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.

• 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.