Stains from tea, coffee and other stains can be easily washed off with improvised means.
What you need to know before cleaning your thermos
Do not wash the thermos with products not intended for cleaning dishes. Otherwise, you can harm your health.
Do not use abrasive materials such as hard sponges, metal brushes or brushes to clean the thermos. They can leave scratches both inside and outside the container, which will quickly absorb dirt and plaque. If the thermos has a narrow neck and reaching the bottom is difficult, wrap a rag around a spoon or other kitchen utensil with a long handle, or use bottle brushes with soft bristles.
Do not put the thermos in the dishwasher. It may lose its properties due to damage to the insulating layer.
How to clean the inside of a thermos
The inner flasks of thermoses are most often made of stainless steel, glass or plastic. The same products are suitable for removing contaminants from the surface of these materials.
Using baking soda
It will help get rid of tea and coffee stains.
What you will need
- Baking soda;
- hot water;
- dishwashing liquid.
How to do
Pour soda into the flask and fill it with hot water (5 tablespoons of soda are needed per 500 ml of liquid). Close the thermos and shake it vigorously to thoroughly mix the contents. Leave the mixture to act for 3-5 hours.
After this, shake the thermos again and pour out the soda solution. Add a couple of drops of dish soap and hot water to the flask and shake the container. Then rinse it under running water.
Using citric acid
This product will cope with dirt and at the same time eliminate unpleasant odors.
What you will need
- Lemon acid;
- hot water;
- dishwashing liquid.
How to do
Pour citric acid into a thermos and add hot water at the rate of 1 tablespoon of crystals per 500 ml of liquid. Close the container and shake the ingredients thoroughly.
After 3 hours, shake the thermos again and pour out the contents. Wash the flask thoroughly with dish soap and then rinse under running water.
Using table vinegar
Just like citric acid, this product effectively cleans plaque and eliminates unpleasant odors inside the thermos.
What you will need
- Table vinegar (9%);
- hot water;
- dishwashing liquid.
How to do
Pour vinegar and hot water into a thermos in a ratio of 1:3. Close the container, shake the contents and leave for 3–6 hours.
Then shake the thermos vigorously again, pour out the liquid and wash the flask with dish soap. After this, rinse the thermos with clean water.
With cola
Soda contains orthophosphoric acid, which quite effectively dissolves contaminants.
What you will need
- Cola;
- pot;
- dishwashing liquid.
How to do
Pour cola into the pan (determine the amount of drink by the volume of the thermos). Place the container on the fire and bring to a boil. Pour the hot soda into a thermos, close it with a lid and leave it overnight.
Pour out the cola and wash the flask using dish soap. Rinse the thermos with running water.
How to clean the outside of a thermos
There are no tricks in caring for the outer part of the thermos. Usually, external stains can be easily removed by washing with a soft sponge and dish soap.
If there are still contaminated areas on the container, such as greasy stains, they can be wiped off with a cotton pad soaked in vodka, ethyl alcohol or vinegar (9%). After this, wash the thermos with dish soap and wipe dry so that there are no streaks left.