A glass kettle looks so sleek and pretty in a kitchen, doesn’t it? And it’s essential for those of us who need a good brew to complete our day.
However, these kettles are a bit trickier to maintain since mineral and dirt buildup is very visible. Glass can also discolour with prolonged use. And of course, you’ll need to be careful not to chip or crack the surface!
How do you clean a glass kettle? Washing with dish soap and water is enough, but you can also use citric acid, lemons, or vinegar. Wipe the exterior with diluted vinegar, and treat stains with a baking soda paste.
Don’t let limescale and stains ruin your kettle’s aesthetic! Keep it clean so your tea routine is always photo-worthy, with not a speck of dirt in sight.
Cleaning Inside the Kettle | Cleaning the Filter | Cleaning the Outside | Treating Stains
How Often to Clean Your Glass Kettle
Regular cleaning keeps your glass kettle hygienic and ensures it heats water efficiently!
Your cleaning schedule will depend on how often you use the kettle, but here’s a good target:
| CLEANING TASK | FREQUENCY |
| Rinse and dry glass kettle | After every use or at the end of each day |
| Spot-clean the exterior | A few times a week |
| Wash the inside of a glass kettle | Once a week |
| Clean and descale the filter | Once every 2 months |
| Descale your glass kettle | Every 2–3 months (or every 4 months at least) |
What to Know Before Cleaning a Glass Kettle
Clean your kettle regularly to maintain that classy aesthetic — with the right methods and cleaners.
Also, be careful when handling your kettle. Any chips or cracks in the glass could cause it to fracture later on when heated.
Of course, you can always ask your professional house cleaner to wash the kettle when they come and do your kitchen!
Electric kettle vs glass teapot vs stovetop kettle
Glass electric kettles are much more common, though glass stovetop kettles do exist.
Stovetop kettles must be made of borosilicate, which can withstand extreme temperatures (over 200ºC) and sudden temperature changes. Many electric kettles are also made of borosilicate, but some use tempered or ceramic glass.
The main difference when cleaning is the exterior. When you clean an electric kettle, do not soak it or use running water around the base. Moisture could get into the electric parts or heating element and cause a short.
Glass teapots, on the other hand, are only for holding hot liquids and shouldn’t be directly heated! They can be hand-washed, but do not go in the dishwasher unless allowed by the manufacturer.
What can I use to clean my glass kettle?
You can wash your kettle with regular dish soap, while acidic cleaners work well for cutting through hard water stains and other grime. Those include:
- White vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Citric acid
Baking soda is also good for scrubbing off stains or neutralising odours.
Alongside that, you’ll need a soft brush (like a bottle brush), a non-abrasive sponge, and microfibre cloths.
Can I use glass cleaner on a kettle?
No, you should not use glass cleaner on the outside of a glass kettle! These are not food-safe and contain ingredients that may leave a harmful residue or contaminate the water.
Generally, avoid harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia. Skip abrasive cleaners as well, such as metal brushes or steel wool, since they can scratch the glass and create stress points that lead to cracks.
How to Clean the Inside of a Glass Kettle
To make things easy, deep clean inside a glass kettle right after using it! No need to discard the leftover water — just top up as much as needed.
Check the manual or brand website for instructions on removing the filter and set it aside to clean separately. Then for gooseneck glass kettles, use the included brush or a flexible straw brush to scrub the spout.
Cleaning a glass kettle with dish soap
For weekly cleaning, wash your glass kettle with dish soap!
Add a few drops of soap to the leftover water in the kettle, then slosh the soapy water around a bit. Scrub the inside with a soft brush or sponge, paying close attention to grooves and ridges.
Rinse out the interior before wiping it with a soft cloth so you don’t leave water spots.
Never put an electric kettle in the dishwasher or soak it in the sink, as it’ll damage the electric components. For stovetop kettles, soaking in hot, soapy water is fine, but no dishwashers unless the manufacturer allows it.
Cleaning a glass kettle with citric acid
Citric acid powder is one of the best ways to clean a glass kettle (and it works all around your home, too).
Fill the kettle halfway with water and bring it to a boil, then let it switch off or take it off the heat. Wait a few minutes so the water cools slightly before mixing in 1–2 tbsp of citric acid per 1 litre of water. Stir to dissolve.
Avoid boiling citric acid powder or adding it directly to boiling water, since it might fizz up inside!
Give the mixture 10–20 minutes to work, then swirl it around and empty the kettle. Follow with a soft sponge or brush plus a dab of dish soap to scrub the surfaces. Rinse the kettle thoroughly.
Boil fresh water to get rid of any taste or residue. Finally, dry the kettle with a microfibre cloth.
Cleaning a glass kettle with lemon
If you don’t have citric acid at home, lemons work well too! Use either lemon juice or leftover lemon slices, whichever is more convenient.
| Lemon juice | Mix 1 part lemon juice with 3 parts water |
| Lemon slices | Add slices from half of a cut lemon to a kettle half-filled with water |
Bring the cleaning solution to a boil and let the kettle switch off or remove it from heat. Leave the solution to soak for 10–20 minutes, then empty the kettle. Wash the inside surfaces with a soft brush and some dish soap.
Rinse and drain the kettle again before boiling some clean water to remove the citrus taste. Wipe the kettle dry with a soft cloth.
Cleaning a glass kettle with vinegar
When cleaning your kettle with vinegar, open the windows and switch on the exhaust. Boiling vinegar has a very funky smell.
Fill your kettle halfway with 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water. Bring that to a boil and turn off the kettle/take it off the stove. Let the vinegar solution sit for 10–20 minutes.
Follow that by scrubbing gently with a soft brush and a dab of dish soap, then rinse the kettle thoroughly with fresh water. Boil a batch or two of water to remove the lingering vinegar taste.
Dry the surfaces with a microfibre cloth afterwards.
NOTE: Unlike stainless steel kettles, you can boil plain vinegar in a glass kettle, as there’s no risk of etching. Distilled white vinegar is easiest, but apple cider vinegar also works and has a milder scent.
How to Clean a Glass Kettle Filter
For glass kettles with filters, follow the manual (or look up your model online) for instructions on removing it. You’ll usually pop them out from the inside.
While you clean your kettle, leave the filter soaking in a small bowl with equal parts white vinegar and warm water.
Afterwards, give the filter a quick scrub with a sponge and some soap. Rinse thoroughly, shake off the excess moisture, then let it air dry before reinserting it.
How to Clean the Outside of a Glass Kettle
Spot-clean the exterior kettle surfaces with either an equal mix of water and white vinegar, or warm soapy water. Wet a cloth with the mixture and wring it out, then wipe the kettle clean.
If there are water spots or mineral deposits around the spout, dab on the vinegar solution and wait a minute before wiping the surface clean.
For grease splatter or food residue, combine 2 tbsp baking soda with 1 tbsp warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Spread it over the stain and leave for 5–10 minutes.
Follow with a damp cloth to rinse off any residue, then dry the outside with a microfibre cloth.
Treating Stains on Glass Kettles
Stains show up easily on clear glass, so it’s important to tackle them straight away. Otherwise, time and heat could make them harder to remove.
How to remove tea stains from glass kettles
If you steep tea inside your kettle, the tannins in tea can leave stains on the glass over time.
Mix 2 tbsp baking soda, 1 tbsp warm water, and a few drops of dish soap into a paste. Apply it to the tea stain and leave for 5–10 minutes, then buff away the stain with a damp sponge. Reapply as needed.
Alternatively, acids are also effective for tannin stains! Mix a little lemon juice and cream of tartar to make a thin paste, then spread it over the stained area. Wait 3–5 minutes before scrubbing the stain off with a damp sponge.
Mop away the remaining paste with a damp cloth, then boil a kettle of water and empty it to remove any residue.
However, keep in mind that prolonged exposure to steeping tea may discolour the glass in a way you can’t clean off.
How to descale a glass kettle
Limescale comes from hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium. These form a chalky, white residue that can affect water taste and boiling efficiency.
Acids like vinegar, lemon juice, and citric acid are great for removing limescale buildup, since they break down the minerals. You can also use a kettle-safe commercial descaler.
To descale your glass kettle, use one of the following methods:
| DESCALER | MIXTURE | HOW TO USE FOR GLASS KETTLES |
| White vinegar | Equal parts vinegar and water | Bring to a boil, turn off, and let sit for 10–20 minutes |
| Lemon juice | 1 part juice to 2 parts water (or half a lemon, sliced) | Bring to a boil, then switch off and leave for 10–20 minutes |
| Citric acid powder | 1–2 tbsp per litre of water | Boil plain water, turn off the kettle, then stir in the powder and leave for 10–20 minutes |
Once time’s up, scrub the inside surfaces with a soft-bristle brush. Rinse with fresh water, then empty the kettle and boil a batch or two of water to remove lingering smells or taste. Dry the kettle with a microfibre cloth.
If using a commercial descaler, make sure it’s formulated for kettles! Do not use products meant for appliances like dishwashers. Follow the product instructions and wash the kettle afterwards with soap and water.
TIP: For mineral buildup inside the spout, wet a paper towel with your descaler and crumple it into the spout. Leave for 10 minutes, then remove the paper towel and wipe away the limescale.
How to clean a burnt glass kettle
If you’ve accidentally burnt something onto the glass, clean your kettle with either dish soap or baking soda!
For a stovetop kettle, start by soaking it in hot water and soap in the sink for 20–30 minutes. See if that’s enough to let you scrub off the burn marks.
If that doesn’t work, or you’re treating an electric glass kettle, tackle the scorches with a baking soda paste (2 parts bicarb, 1 part water, 1/4 part dish soap). Coat the burnt area and let it sit for 10–20 minutes. If possible, lay a hot, damp towel on top.
Following that, work the paste into the stain with a damp sponge until it lifts. Reapply the paste as needed, then wipe away the residue with a dampened cloth.
For very stubborn stains, Bar Keeper’s Friend Cookware Cleanser works well, thanks to the oxalic acid and mild abrasiveness.
Always rinse and dry the kettle afterwards.
Keeping Your Glass Kettle Clean
Some good habits can ensure you always have a clean kettle!
Don’t leave standing water inside your kettle for too long. Glass doesn’t accumulate limescale that quickly, but leftover water can still cause water spots. The water might also become a hotspot for bacteria.
After you’ve emptied the kettle, give it a quick rinse and then dry it with a soft cloth.
Avoid leaving tea in your kettle for prolonged periods as well. While glass is more resistant to staining from tannins, repeated exposure can create a yellowish or brownish discolouration over time.
Besides regular cleaning, descale your kettle and filter every 2 months or so. This minimises the buildup of limescale, especially if you live in a hard water area. Then to prevent mineral buildup, consider installing a water softener or getting a filter!
More To Know About Glass Kettle Cleaning
We’ll answer some commonly asked questions about cleaning a glass kettle here.
How to clean a glass kettle with bicarbonate of soda?
When cleaning a kettle, you can use bicarb soda (baking soda) either as a stain-removing paste or a way to neutralise odours.
Combine 2 parts bicarb, 1 part water, and 1/4 part dish soap for a cleaning paste. Then use that to scrub off tea stains, burn marks, and even light limescale.
To remove odours, boil a half-full kettle of water and let it cool slightly, then mix in 1–2 tbsp of bicarb soda. Let the mixture sit for 15–20 minutes before giving it a good scrub and pouring out the water. Rinse and dry the kettle afterwards.
Can you put a glass kettle in the dishwasher?
You should not put glass electric kettles in a dishwasher, since it will damage the electrical parts.
For stovetop kettles, only run them through the dishwasher if the manufacturer allows it.
How to clean the bottom of a kettle?
How you clean the bottom of a glass kettle depends on whether it’s a stovetop or electric model.
Stovetop models have no heating elements or electric parts, so you can wash them with soap and water. But for electric kettles, you need to minimise moisture, so just wipe the bottom with a damp cloth before drying.
How to clean a glass teapot?
Like other glassware, you can wash glass teapots with soap and water in the sink. If there are stains, treat them with a baking soda paste or diluted vinegar — separately, not combined!
After washing, wipe your teapot dry with a dish towel to prevent water spots.
