The interior of a tea kettle is one of those “out of sight, out of mind” areas — after all, it’s only used to heat water. Over the years, however, the kettle grows a mineral deposit from the water, which is difficult to clean out by washing it from the sink. Vinegar cuts through these mineral deposits, leaving the kettle sparkling clean once more.
Boil the Buildup Away
One way to clean out the kettle is to fill it up with a 50-50 mixture of vinegar and water, then heat the kettle until the liquid boils. Dump the liquid and rinse the kettle thoroughly.
Difficult Debris
For a mineral deposit that’s difficult to eliminate or was caked inside the kettle for some time, fill the kettle with white vinegar enough to cover almost any white mineral residue inside. Allow the kettle to sit for half an hour or so. Swish the kettle around and wipe the interior with a sponge, then drain the fluid, rinsing the kettle then.