Cups of tea will always taste 'off' if you don't follow basic kettle cleaning routine

A good cup of tea begins with the water you boil. If your kettle isn't properly cared for, mineral deposits, residue, and even lingering odours can seep into the water. This can leave every cuppa tasting flat, bitter, or just slightly "off," no matter how carefully you prepare it. Most people opt for descaling to sort this problem, but your kettle needs more TLC than you think.

Fortunately, home experts have revealed a simple routine that keeps your kettle fresh. Kitchen Aid shared: "To help ensure your morning cup of tea tastes perfect, it's good to make cleaning your electric kettle a daily habit, as well as descaling it on a regular basis, sometimes around once a month if you use your kettle daily."

Daily clean the exterior

The outside of your kettle might not touch the water, but keeping it clean still matters for making good tea. Cleaning daily will help prevent grime from spreading inside, ensuring fresh water.

"To keep the kettle exterior clean, use a damp cloth to remove any water splashes and residue, then dry and polish with a soft cloth," said the experts at Kitchen Aid. Below, the experts have listed three more methods to keep your kettle clean.

1. Toothpaste

Put a little toothpaste on a damp cloth and gently polish the outside of your kettle. Wipe it clean with water, and it will be left looking shiny and refreshed, according to home experts at Argos.

2. Dish soap

Kitchen Aid shared: "Use your favourite dish detergent to clean the outside of your kettle. Wash the outside with dish soap and then wipe it down with a damp cloth, being careful to not get soap inside the kettle. When you're finished, dry the kettle with a dish towel."

3. Olive oil

Place about a teaspoon of olive oil on a soft microfiber cloth and gently rub it over the outside of your kettle to give it a glossy shine. Avoid using abrasive sponges or cloths, as they can scratch the surface.

Descale the interior every one to three months

According to the kitchen appliance store Morphy Richards, "It very much depends on the hardness of the water in your area and how often you use your kettle. However, as a general rule, we'd say that a kettle should be descaled every one to three months.

"In other words, descale your kettle once a month if you live in an area with very hard water. Descale your kettle every three months if you live in an area with moderately hard water."

You can descale your kettle using a descaler or citric acid, but Kitchen Aid stated that to keep your electric kettle performing at its highest level, you'll want to descale your kettle using vinegar. Here's how to do it:

• Fill your electric kettle with one part white vinegar and three parts water.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, then let it sit overnight before emptying.
• Refill the kettle with fresh water, bring it to a boil, and drain.
• Repeat the fresh water boil and drain twice to remove any lingering vinegar odour or taste.