Did you know that a simple trick—just sticking a toothpick into a part of your electric kettle—can bring multiple surprising benefits? Every household has an electric kettle, but over time, kettles often encounter problems like failing to turn on or inconsistent heating. Most of the time, the culprit is dust or residue in the electrical connection area, which affects the kettle’s performance. Using a toothpick can help clean this part safely and efficiently.

How to Clean Your Kettle’s Electrical Base

1. Prepare a toothpick and some rubbing alcohol (or strong liquor if alcohol is not available).

2. Dip the toothpick in the alcohol and gently clean the kettle’s base and any tiny crevices where dust and dirt tend to accumulate.

3. Finally, wipe the metal contact plate on the base. If your kettle doesn’t turn on, cleaning it this way can restore proper function and potentially save hundreds of dollars a year in maintenance or replacements.

Additional Tricks to Remove Scale and Residue in Your Kettle

1. Baking Soda
Most electric kettles are made of aluminum. Simply add a small spoon of baking soda, boil water for a few minutes, and the scale can be removed easily. Alternatively, dissolve 1% baking soda in 500ml of water, scrub lightly, and your kettle will be sparkling clean.

2. Eggshells
Eggshells are surprisingly effective for removing stubborn residue. Crush some eggshells, place them in the kettle, add half a kettle of water, stir with chopsticks, and boil for about 30 minutes. Discard the shells and rinse twice—the residue will come off, leaving your kettle shiny.

3. Potato Peels
Wash potatoes thoroughly, peel them, and put the peels into the kettle with some water. Boil for 10 minutes, then discard the mixture and rinse. This natural method removes almost all leftover scale and mineral deposits.

4. Loofah Fiber
Don’t throw away loofah fibers! They can act as a natural filter to remove stubborn dirt. Place clean loofah fibers in the kettle while boiling water daily, and your kettle will stay clean. Replace the fibers every two weeks and always make sure they are clean before use.

5. Salt
Salt is a readily available and very simple solution. Add 1–2 teaspoons of salt to the kettle, fill it with water, and boil. Afterward, rinse thoroughly with clean water, and any remaining deposits will be gone instantly.

Why These Methods Work

The main reason kettles accumulate scale and residue is minerals in the water. Using natural, safe cleaning agents like baking soda, eggshells, potato peels, loofah fibers, or salt helps remove these deposits without damaging the kettle. Cleaning the electrical base ensures the kettle works properly, while removing scale improves heating efficiency and prolongs the appliance’s lifespan.

By following these simple steps, you can maintain a clean, safe, and efficient kettle, saving money on repairs or replacements and ensuring your daily boiling water is clean and safe.