Thermos is a very convenient and functional thing. With the help of such a small assistant, you can easily take anywhere with hot tea, coffee or another drink. And you can enjoy a hot lunch or dinner, because in a thermos you can store not only liquids. Thus, this heat-insulating ware is an indispensable item in the life of almost every person.
But judging by the reviews, due to the design features of the thermos, it is quite problematic to wash it. That is why often on the inner walls of this item plaque and other contaminants form, which can subsequently give the unpleasant smell and taste to the drinks or food stored in it. Therefore, the question arises: "How to clean the thermos from plaque inside?"
Kinds
It is customary to subdivide all manufactured heat-insulating dishes into 2 types according to the type of bulb that can be performed:
- from glass;
- from stainless steel.
Thermoses containing a glass flask are of high cost and equally high quality. Representatives of this group hold heat much better, and due to the material they are less susceptible to pollution processes from drinks or food stored in them. The disadvantage of such a heat-insulating ware - with careless mechanical stress, it breaks easily.
Thermoses made of stainless steel are more durable. But at the same time, scratches and scuffs may appear on them earlier. And the inner bulb is susceptible to the formation of various deposits and scale. In addition, an unpleasant odor often appears in such dishes.
Regardless of what material the flask is made of, the question "how to clean a thermos from plaque" is relevant and urgent. But there are several effective ways to help deal with this problem.
How to prevent pollution?
No wonder they say that it is better to prevent a problem than to deal with the consequences later. This also applies to insulating dishes. It is better to monitor her condition immediately than to look for ways to clean the thermos inside and get rid of the unpleasant odor.
The most important thing is to thoroughly wash away all liquid and food residues after each use. For a better effect, use a dishwashing detergent. If there is a narrow neck, it is recommended to purchase a special brush. Just do not use too hard materials so as not to damage the walls of the flask.
After washing the thermos, wipe it with a towel or napkin, turn it over and leave to dry. If it is not planned to be used in the near future, then tightly pressing the lid after drying is not recommended.
When washing, special attention should be paid to the junction of the flask and the body - small particles of food, tea or coffee residues can accumulate there. It is in this part that bacteria multiply most often, which cause an unpleasant odor.
For the same reasons, sometimes it is necessary to remove the flask from a thermos, but this is provided that it is made of glass. After the inside has been removed, it should be thoroughly wiped. The same thing needs to be done with the inside of the thermos. Then moisture will not accumulate there. If the cap of the thermos is made in the form of a pump, then it is important to rinse it especially carefully so that there is no stagnation of liquid and the formation of mold.
In addition to cleaning the inside of the flask, you should pay attention to the outer part of the thermos. If the casing is metallic, it can be washed using the same means as a stainless steel flask. The plastic housing requires a different cleaning, as the plastic absorbs odors greatly. If it was not possible to prevent the problem, it can be solved with the help of gruel from soda or coffee grounds.
What can not be done?
Often, users are interested in how to clean a thermos from tea plaque and other contaminants correctly? Indeed, in the case of scratches, the performance of thermal insulation utensils is significantly reduced. In order for the “faithful friend” to last as long as possible, it is necessary to properly clean the flask in order to avoid damage to its coating. For these purposes are not suitable:
- Various products with abrasive particles. This includes not only powders with cleaning properties. The glass flask cannot be cleaned using sand, ground eggshells, and cereals.
- Brushes made of metal and hard brushes. When they are exposed, the coating of the flask is damaged and the internal seam inside the thermos is damaged.
- In addition to plastic and glass elements, any heat-insulating dishes contain a rubber gasket on the lid, so you can not use chlorine, ammonia and concentrated acetic acid to clean the thermos.
There are many effective ways to help clean a thermos. It remains only to get acquainted with the features of each and choose the most suitable for yourself.
Lemon acid
If, nevertheless, dirt has formed on the walls of the flask, improvised means can be used to combat this phenomenon. One of the simplest, but effective ways to clean the thermos from tea plaque inside is to use the most common citric acid.
First of all, it is necessary to wash the dishes in the usual way and dry well inside. After falling asleep a spoonful of funds and pour boiling water over it. Mix the resulting liquid well, and then cover and leave to “work” for several hours (about 10, you can overnight). Then rinse the thermos inside with water and dishwashing liquid.
Citric acid is effective in controlling small and not soiled pollution. Therefore, it is better not to start the dishes, but to carry out such a procedure, with frequent use of the thermos at least once every 1-2 months.
Baking soda
Here is one very inexpensive and popular option that will help clean the thermos inside of tea plaque and other contaminants. But one soda is not able to cope with such a task, it is often used together with cereals, for example, barley.
To do this, half a glass of cereal is poured into the flask, then a large spoon of soda, all this is poured with boiling water. Intensively mixed and covered with a lid. Within 2-3 hours that such a solution will be infused, the thermos should be shaken periodically, but gently. Then all the contents are poured, and the thermos is thoroughly washed with warm water.
Soda well cleans the flask from plaque, and also helps eliminate the unpleasant odor formed inside.
A weak solution of acetic acid
This method is perfect for old pollution in the form of scale and plaque. For it, you will need the most ordinary table vinegar in a concentration of 9%, you can also use apple.
Inside the thermos, about ¼ of its volume, pour vinegar. Fill the remaining volume with hot water, close tightly with a lid. Leave to infuse for 5 hours, after which pour the contents and rinse the thermos under water.
This option is able not only to clean the thermos from tea plaque, but also to relieve it of an unpleasant odor.
Lemon wedges
This cleaning option is similar to using citric acid, but instead of it, it is necessary to put lemon (whole) cut into slices into a flask, and then pour boiling water. In addition to dealing with problems such as plaque, dirt and scale, lemon wedges leave a pleasant aroma in the flask.
Denture Cleaning Tablets
Perhaps this is one of the unusual, but working methods. Special tablets that are designed to bring dentures into a clean state - you can purchase them at a pharmacy - are also able to cope with pollution inside the thermos! It is necessary to take only 2 pieces, put in a vessel and pour hot boiling water. Next, leave the contents to infuse overnight, and then rinse the flask.
Sparkling water
Oddly enough, drinks such as Coca-Cola or Fanta are also an effective way to help cleanse the thermos. In addition, with their help you can get rid of unpleasant odors. To do this, you just need to heat the required volume of the drink, which will enter the flask, and then pour inside the thermos. Leave the drink overnight, then rinse the vessel.
Special descaler
An effective option that can clean the thermos from the stainless steel inside. Such a tool does not harm the inner flask. You can buy it at any hardware store. The basis includes citric acid and excipients. For cleaning, it is necessary to put in the flask the amount of the mixture indicated by the manufacturer (depending on the volume of the heat-insulating dishes) and pour boiling water. Close tightly with a lid, shake to dissolve the powder, and leave to cool water. After that, it remains only to rinse the thermos under running water.
Dry mustard
Another working method that will help to clean the thermos involves the use of an available component - mustard powder. It is this substance that will quickly and economically solve the problem of plaque and pollution. A few tablespoons of dry powder are poured into the flask, and then poured with boiling water. This mixture should be mixed, then close the lid and stand for several hours. Then pour the mixture and rinse the flask.
How to clean grease marks from a thermos
In addition to the above problems, in the dishes where various ready-made dishes are stored - soups or the second - greasy traces are inevitable. You can get rid of them in the following ways:
- Soda and peroxide. Turn soda, in the amount of 100 grams, into pulp using hydrogen peroxide. Grate the resulting mixture inside and leave to act briefly. Rinse with water and a sponge. Traces of fat will disappear along with the smell.
- Soda with vinegar. Mix baking soda and vinegar of 9% concentration in a 1: 1 ratio, then wipe the inside of the flask with a sponge and wait about 15 minutes, rinse with water.
- Laundry soap. Using household soap, it will be possible to quickly remove various greasy traces from dishes and a thermos, and you can even do this in cold water. The main thing is to rinse the vessel thoroughly under running water afterwards.
Conclusion
Thermos is an item that has served a person for more than one year. During its operation, various contaminants and unpleasant odors can occur inside. But if you approach the cleaning process correctly, then the thermos will delight you for a long time. The main thing is to clean it after each use and not leave any products in the flask for a long time. And to cope with pollution can help a fairly simple tools at hand.