Trying to get rid of smell in kettle

KaratePigeon

Hello,
Anyone got any tips for cleaning a plastic kettle? It smells a bit musty and makes my tea taste funny DP and anyone else I've asked can't notice it so it must be subtle but I can tell it's there! (though I am pregnant and more sensitive to these things at the moment). Anyway, it's driving me mad and I'm on the verge of just buying a new kettle but I quite like the old one and we haven't had it long.

I used to use expensive stuff for de-scaling it, but then saw all the tips about using vinegar. Except I didn't have any white vinegar so I used malt umm.. I don't know whether this is what caused the smell but it did start not long after I did that. (it was great at getting the limescale off though!)

I googed as much as I can and only found someone suggesting boiling some bi-carb in it, which I've done and it didn't help. Any other suggestions?

Thanks

rwalton159

If the kettle is under guarantee take it back otherwise buy a new one.

All the best with the pregnancy

googler

Since you seem to have tried virtually everything to clean it, I'd say buy a new one.

What do you do once you've boiled water in it? Do you leave the water in the kettle, or empty it completely?

Owain_Moneysaver

Limescale is an alkali. Bicarb is also an alkali. To clean it you need an acid. Vinegar is an acid, but as you've found doesn't taste nice. I use lemon juice (Jif Lemon - it's a lot cheaper if you buy it in a bottle not in a plastic lemon). Half a bottle neat over the element, bring to boil (watch it - it will froth up), let it cool, scrub round with the dishbrush, boil cool and scrub again, empty and rinse, then repeat with the rest of the bottle.

Alternatively you might be more sensitive to any taste in the water supply, you could try a brita filter.

KaratePigeon

Thanks for the replies,
I make sure I empty any water left in the kettle so it's not sat around (though I try to only boil as much as I need).

I wondered if it was the water supply but when I boiled some in a saucepan instead of the kettle it tasted fine.

Looks like I'll have to buy a new kettle then but I will try lemon juice instead of vinegar to descale the next one