How do I clean the OUTSIDE of a kettle?

[SilentSplendidSun]

My kettle is brushed metal with a very matt finish. A couple of times, I tried scrubbing gently with a sponge and rinsing out with water, just like I wash any other pan.

But when I placed it back on the base and switched it on, a fuse blew and all the downstairs lights went pooft! Guessing there might have been some moisture leftover at the bottom of the kettle and it short circuited when it touched the heating base...

So question is how do I clean the outside of a kettle without water? Or how to do it with water and not suddenly find myself in complete darkness?

Mine is burnished / brushed whatever and I take it off the base and use a sponge scourer thing. Just make sure the bottom is dry.

Glass cleaner works for us

if it's the stainless steel body you want to clean, try baby oil - not on electrical components though obviously!

Oooh thanks, ye lovely people! Will try all suggestions. But does the smell of baby oil/ glass cleaner not sink in? I know its only the outside, but I have visions of Mr.Muscle flavoured coffee....

only cleaned my kettle with it the once so not that sure really - didn't alter the taste the one time i did do it!

you only have to let the thing dry after cleaning it. You aren't putting it in the sink, are you?

brushed stainless you can rub with a nylon pan scourer, preferably the white one which is softer than green. Only rub in the direction of the brushing, never never never in circles as it will show.

I expect it is limescale watermarks. You will have to rub it dry afterwards with a damp vest, like polishing a sink.

metal is not porous and the cleaner will not go through to the inside.

A damp vest PigletJohn?

Brushed matt stainless steel is a pain to clean.

I have a splashback made of this bastard material and clean it with a scourer and soapy water, then buff with a little oil in the direction of the 'grain'.

Wish I'd gone for glass now.

if only you had a water softener, you wouldn't get limescale watermarks.

I have a matt and shiny stainless cleaners . There are creme cleaner but do leave in in good condition. I have loads left as I can rarely be arsed to clean that hard!