How to clean a thermos, TOP 18 methods and remedies at home
During operation, a plaque of your favorite drinks forms on the walls of the thermos, which over time ages. It is not possible to wash it by simple rinsing with hot water. Drinks poured into the bottle lose their taste, acquire a characteristic smell, no longer delight the aroma and do not invigorate. Consider how to quickly clean a thermos with affordable home remedies.
Reasons for the appearance of plaque and tartar
Tea and coffee utensils get dirty over time, thermoses are no exception. Plaque in thermoses forms for a number of reasons:
- hard water - salts form a layer of scale when boiling water is poured;
- characteristics of the shape of the bottle which is difficult to rinse;
- the formation of a film on the tea leaves which remains inside the bottle.
Small fractions of drinks poured into a thermos settle on the walls, gradually accumulate, forming a dense layer.
Remove plaque and tartar
To dissolve the layers of scale and plaque on the walls of the thermos, household products containing acidic and alkaline components are used, which are in every house.
lemon acid
The citric acid will help remove any dirt from the walls. Pour 2 teaspoons of product inside and pour boiling water over it. Seal tightly for one day. Lemon removes plaque and musty smell. Lemon juice can be used instead of powder.
essence of vinegar
Before cleaning, a 9% vinegar solution is prepared from gasoline. Fill the balloon to a third of its volume, add hot water to the top. The thermos is shaken regularly. You can throw pieces of sponge into the vial which, once shaken, will remove traces of black tea from the walls. Vinegar is used for stainless steel and glass vials.
Sodium bicarbonate
Tea soda perfectly removes plaque from the walls of a thermos, acting first as a mild abrasive, then as an alkali. 2-3 tablespoons are poured into a bottle filled with water (50-60 °). After closing the thermos, they actively shake so that the powder particles clean the layer of dirt from the walls. Then it is left for several hours.
baking powder
You can clean the walls with baking powder, which is a mixture of basic and acidic salts. Depending on the volume of the thermos, put 2-4 tablespoons of the mixture, fill it with warm water.
The carbon dioxide bubbles released by the powder will dissolve the contamination on the vial within 3-4 hours.
Rice and pearl barley
Pour ½ cup of cereal into a thermos and pour boiling water to the top. After closing the bottle, they actively shake so that the cereal cleans the walls. You have to shake the container regularly, rice or pearl barley play the role of abrasive. To enhance the effect, you can add a spoonful of soda to tea. Cleaning time - 2-3 hours.
Soft drinks
Traditional methods suggest washing a vial contaminated with soda in the following manner:
- with insignificant contamination - pour a hot drink for several hours;
- strong plate - soda is heated to a boil and kept in a flask for 10-12 hours.
According to the experience of housewives, the undisputed leader in efficiency is Coca-Cola.
Bleach
Bleach should only be used if the thermos is so dirty that it cannot be used without aggressive cleaning.
Ammonia solution
Ammonia quickly dissolves plaque, but it is better to wash only the outer part of the thermos. The ammonia solution corrodes the protective layer of the balloon and deteriorates the thermal insulation properties.
"White"
Bleach in "Whiteness" is dangerous for humans, it is worth using this method in case of extreme pollution. The cap of the product is poured into the flask and hot water is added to the top. One hour is enough for the plaque to dissolve. Then a long and abundant rinsing with abundant water.
Denture tablets
This product is safe for humans and will not damage the bottle. Several tablets are made into a powder, poured inside and poured with hot water for 2-3 hours. To improve the impact, shake periodically.
Store funds
Household chemicals can be used to clean the thermos.
"AntiNakipin"
Practical product for descaling surfaces.
"Antinakipin" is placed in a flask and poured with boiling water for an hour.
"Silit"
In the line of preparations "Silit" there is a remedy for plaque and tartar.
The drug is poured with hot water in a thermos and left for 1-2 hours.
baking powder
Depending on the capacity of the thermos, add 1-3 tablespoons of baking powder, pour water, leave for 2-3 hours. Repeat the cleaning if necessary.
Saline solution
Salt intake - 4 tablespoons per ½ liter of water. Salt is poured into a flask, poured with boiling water, shaken and left for 3 hours.
Eliminates unpleasant odors
A musty smell appears due to the plate on the walls and the storage of the closed thermos. There are several ways to fix it.
Salt
Fill the thermos to a third with breadcrumbs, add 3-4 tablespoons of coarse salt. Shut up, leave for a few hours.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice with pieces of zest removes unpleasant amber from the vial in 4-5 hours. It is better to use fresh citrus fruits rather than citric acid.
A soda
The acids in soda (Fanta, Sprite, Coke) will remove plaque and odors. The carbonated drink is heated and poured into a flask for 8 hours.
Dry mustard
An excellent product for disinfecting and eliminating odors.Dry mustard (3 tablespoons) is placed inside and filled to the top with boiling water overnight.
Soda and vinegar solution
Table vinegar and soda (3 tablespoons each) are placed in a flask filled with hot water. The exposure time is one hour.
Get rid of fungal growths
It is best to use chemicals to eliminate mold (mildew). Use tablets, gels for washing dishwashers, "Silit" or other preparations containing disinfectant components. Place in a bottle for 1-2 hours, then rinse thoroughly with water.
Features of cleaning a glass thermos
A glass container collects less dirt than a stainless steel one, but you should still wash the thermos regularly. The best way to clean the glass from the inside of a vial:
- lemon or citric acid;
- a soda;
- the vinegar;
- saline solution;
- soda, baking powder.
Cleaning is carried out in the usual way.
Useful tips
Several useful recommendations for cleaning thermal dishes from plaque and scale:
- with frequent use, clean every 2-3 months;
- after draining the remaining drink, drain the liquid soap, add water and shake vigorously, then rinse;
- when cleaning dirt, first use simple home remedies - soap, soda, vinegar, use aggressive drugs only as a last resort.
It is important to rinse the cork and cap well - using a brush, toothbrush, to clean the gaps and bumps where most of the dirt collects.
What not to use
In the desire to give the original cleanliness, many try to clean the thermos in a way that is dangerous to humans or hopelessly violates thermal insulation. Not to be used when washing vials of any material:
- eggshells or other sharp abrasives;
- non-dishwashing household chemicals - plumbing, acid;
- hard burs, metal nets for dishes.
After such cleaning, you can poison yourself with drinks, which, moreover, will quickly cool in spoiled thermal dishes.
Prophylaxis
Complex cleaning does not need a thermos, if you follow the measures to avoid plaque and pollution:
- wash metal and glass vials after each use with mild soap;
- pour only pre-prepared drinks into another container;
- quickly drain the unfinished contents - store in a thermal container no more than a day;
- use filtered water for filling.
Before sending the thermos for storage, dry the inside and the cap thoroughly. Keep the cap loose or fully open. Thermoses not only retain heat for a long time, but also serve faithfully for many years if you take good care of them. To keep drinks hot and aromatic, you need to keep flasks and caps clean, keep the thermos open.