How do I keep my kettles clean?

There is one appliance that is used regularly in hotel and motel guest rooms but for some reason it’s often used for other things it wasn’t designed for, and that’s the humble kettle!

Although the kettle is designed for boiling water, and water only, some guests are notorious for trying to find other uses for this appliance. Yes – that’s right, boiling milk or cooking noodles. You name it – we have seen or heard about it from hotels and motels across New Zealand.

Neglecting to clean the kettle for long periods can damage the appliance and require the need for deep cleaning, which may not even prove successful in the end. Limescale build-up is the biggest problem and causes higher electricity consumption because the kettle takes longer to boil the water. Limescale also affects the water quality which tends to worsen the longer the kettle is not cared for. Keeping your kettle clean prevents those hard bits of limescale from floating in your guests’ tea, which wouldn’t be a pleasant experience. Plus, it’s actually more efficient as it uses less energy to heat up.

So… cleaning kettles is something hotels and motels put a lot of focus on and is something your housekeeping team are no doubt checking on a daily basis. To help save you time we have put together the top 5 ways to keep your kettles clean.

1. Da Bomb, The Ultimate Descaler

DaBomb's powerful formula makes it the perfect limescale destroyer! This is the most efficient and easiest way to clean your kettle. With its simple application, it easily controls scaling and keeps your kettle running smoothly. It also means less maintenance is required by your housekeeping team which saves you time and money. Here’s how to use it:

• Ensure any obvious, significant scale is first removed with a damp cloth, then fill your electric kettle/jug with water.
• Leaving the lid open, add a scoop of Da Bomb.
• Bring to boil and repeat this if needed
• You can transfer this solution to another 3 kettles and re-boil to maximise efficiencies.
• Fill with fresh water and bring to boil once more, empty the kettle and rinse - Then you are good to go for regular use!
• The extreme build-up may require a secondary treatment. Can be used on both metal and plastic jugs. We recommend using it every 6 months in areas with hard water to keep the electric jug looking like new.

You’ll notice the difference after just one treatment. You can use it as part of your monthly machine maintenance to keep your kettles running smoothly and to keep the scale at bay.

2. White Vinegar:

Vinegar is effective because limescale can be dissolved fairly easily using a solution of mild acid. The most commonly used is white vinegar. To do this start by removing the filter. Because it is delicate you should soak it in equal parts of white vinegar and water for 5-10 minutes rather than scrubbing it. Depending on the size of your kettle, and how severe your limescale is, you can pour one or two cups of vinegar into the appliance with an equal amount of water. Then flick the switch to boil the solution. Boiling the vinegar loosens the build-up of limestone minerals so you can easily clear it out, making it almost as good as new.  

Once boiled let it sit for 20 minutes or longer depending on how dirty the inside is. If there is a stubborn build up just boil and repeat until it’s clean. If you have limescale that is really caked on there is a second stage, you can either scrub the build-up with a brush or use a cloth with some baking soda to remove the remaining residue. Once the kettle has cooled always remember to wash the vinegar out with water a few times to get rid of the smell, and so your next guest’s tea doesn’t have an icky aftertaste.

You can also use the vinegar on to wipe the outside of the kettle to make it shiny and sleek. If you want to go more in-depth you can give your stainless-steel kettle a proper polish to eliminate any additional stains or smudges. If you want to avoid stainless steel there are many sleek matt black kettles that will match the décor of your rooms. 

3. Lemon Juice:

No one wants their guests to have ‘pond scum’ floating on the top of their cuppa. People usually clean kettles with lemon juice if they feel vinegar is a bit too overbearing and smelly. Cleaning your kettle with a lemon and water solution is a natural and safe option. The lemons will not just destroy the limescale but will also brighten up the interior of the kettle and provide a nice invigorating smell.

To start cut a lemon into two halves and squeeze the juice into the appliance. When you’re done use the two halves to rub the inside parts to remove any hard water stains. Cut the lemon into small pieces and add them to the lemon juice inside the kettle. Next, add approximately 500ml of water to the mixture. You don’t need to fill the kettle to the top but make sure you pour enough to fill the appliance halfway. Then you can turn the kettle on and let the solution boil. Finally, don’t throw out the lemon water just yet. Use a soft sponge and scrub the inside and outside of the kettle thoroughly. Remove the mixture and rinse the kettle 4-5 times with warm water. Use a microfibre cloth to dry the outside of the kettle, and make sure the outside is completely dry before you connect it to the power source to avoid hazards. And you’re done. Your kettle will be sparkling again!

4. Baking Soda:

Another natural cleaning option is to create a baking soda and water solution. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with 500ml of water, pour the solution into the kettle and let it boil. Leave the mixture in the kettle for up to 15 minutes, then pour the solution out and rinse it a couple of times with cold water. This remedy is great for kettles that have been cleaned on a regular basis but probably won’t be enough for hardened limescale.

If so option two is to create a paste with a tablespoon of baking soda and a couple of water drops. Stir until the paste becomes thickened then scrub the inside with a brush until you see the limescale coming off. Finally, rinse and boil to check the quality of the water and whether more cleaning is required. Repeat again if you feel it is necessary. That’s it – another great way to get a shiny, new looking kettle.

5. For everyday cleaning:

For everyday cleaning and to remove fingerprints off stainless steel and plastic kettles, simply use a damp general purpose microfibre cloth to wipe over the kettle, then buff dry with a dry microfibre glass cloth.

With so many kettle options and sizes available, it can be hard to choose the best model for your property and one that can be easily cleaned. You’re most likely looking for a kettle that ensures a great guest experience but also doesn’t impact your operations as a hotel. Check our recent article as we answer some of the most common questions when it comes to choosing a kettle.