Need help cleaning a metal thermos with coffee residue.?
Question:Its turning black on the inside. I carry coffee everyday. Not so sure i can use bleach. Will baking soda help.
Answers:
Why?
It is seasoning.
If you have a dishwasher use a bit of dishwasher detergent and hot water.. Swish it around a bit and rinse really well.. That should work... If no dishwasher use a bit of vinegar/hot water and swish should be fine as well.
Just fill with heated white distilled vinegar and leave set over night. Just like a coffee maker, it should help remove the stains.
Baking soda will help, it will make it a bit more abrasive. Don't use bleach. It helps to buy a bottle brush, they aren't expensive, but are great for cleaning out a thermos. Don't leave it so long without washing it next time!
TRY BAKING SODA OR VINEGAR
Put few slices of lemon in and add boiling water. Stir it around a bit and leave it to soak. Also, just a tip,if you boil a few lemon slices in your kettle it will remove the build up and bring it back to new in no time.
Use the gentlest cleanser possible for your Thermos, especially those made of stainless steel. Harsh, abrasive cleaners and scrubbers can tarnish Food Jars and drink containers, and could even begin to change the flavor of stored foods after a while. A dishwashing detergent or gentle all-purpose cleanser or soap that is safe for dishes should be sufficient ( Joy, Dawn). If you have to use an abrasive pad, make sure that it's made out of plastic so that it won't scrape the inside of the product, and scrub lightly. Or use a bottle brush.
I used a metal thermos for 30 years and the BEST way is to add 1/2 cup of bleach, fill with hot water to the top and put the stopper in and leave it overnight, also a bit of bleach in the cup will clean that up like brand new. Be sure to rinse numerous times so no bleach odor is left inside.
sprinkle salt in it and put in ice and just swish it around that can get anthing out.
Make a paste with baking soda and water. Smear it over the black marks. Then rub with a soft cloth and the stain should come out. Rinse out the soda with hot water.
Its non toxic and easy on your skin. You can use the stuff to brush your teeth as well.
It also works on coffee/tea stains inside mugs.
My husband won't let me clean his metal thermos. The last time I did (after getting stains as you have described) I used baking soda and vinegar and all the black stains chipped off, rather than dissolving like I thought they would. He bought a new thermos because he said it was like drinking coffee grounds, as they just came off gradually. Now I just rinse it out every night and leave it upside down in the dish drainer. He doesn't complain, so I'm happy.
I've used a baby bottle cleaner. It has a long handle and can fit inside my tall thermos pretty easily.
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