How to remove odor from a thermos: 4 ways

Thermos is a type of insulating glassware that is used to maintain the temperature of drinks and food at a constant level for a certain time. The service life of this type of cookware, the duration of heat storage, the risk of an unpleasant odor and the difficulty of eliminating it directly depend on the thermos device and the material from which the bulb is made.

Types of thermoses

There are several options for utensils: a thermos for drinks and for food. A vessel that is designed to preserve food has a larger neck diameter and, as a rule, several containers. It can store both liquid and solid dishes. Sometimes a spoon comes in the kit, for which there is a special compartment. To get rid of the smell in a thermos with a wide neck will not be difficult.

The situation is different with thermos for drinks. Their neck is always very narrow, and the narrower it is, the longer the thermos will retain heat. In addition, some models are equipped with pneumatic pumps in the form of taps or special sealed covers with an opening that opens when pressed. To get rid of the smell in such a thermos is very difficult.

Another model is a universal thermos. It is intended for both drinks and food. In such a thermos you will have to get rid of the smell of both food and drinks, which creates certain difficulties.

Flask and body materials

The flask is a Dewar vessel made in a special way. Between two identical walls there is an air gap. It maintains a constant temperature for a long time and prevents the release of heat from the thermos into the environment. In more expensive models, the interlayer is vacuum, they keep heat longer.

The flask is made of glass or stainless steel. Glass heats up less and, therefore, conducts less heat, and drinks remain hot for a long time. However, glass flasks break, which makes them not so attractive. When washing such a vessel, it is necessary to avoid excessive friction, otherwise microcracks may appear. Weak points of the flask will quickly lead to a loss of tightness.

Stainless steel flasks are more durable, they can be used daily, they are not afraid of high temperatures and friction.

For the manufacture of the outer casing, plastic or metal is used. In stainless steel thermoses, the outer layer of the bulb is the body.

Rules for washing a thermos

The more airtight the thermos, the better. The paradox is that unpleasant odors quickly appear in an isolated space, which is very difficult to get rid of. A few general rules for washing a thermos:

1. Regardless of the size of the flask, inside it must be washed with a dish brush. This is a guarantee that all hard-to-reach spots will be cleaned.
2. All solutions must be left in a closed thermos for several hours to achieve the best effect.
3. After thoroughly washing the flask from the solution, the thermos must be left open until completely dry.
4. The pneumatic valve and the cover through which liquid is poured must also be washed. For this, a solution must be passed through them at the beginning of washing, just as the liquid passed during the use of a thermos. Then, water is similarly passed until the solution is completely washed out.
5. It is important to ensure that the detergent does not remain inside.

Ways to get rid of odor

The most obvious way is to wash the thermos with dishwashing detergents. However, using it is not recommended.Such substances have their pungent smell, foam very much and are poorly washed. There is a risk that the detergent will remain inside and ruin the product. More reliable are simple home methods.

1. Soda. A tool tested over the years. Soda not only eliminates the smell, but also removes tea or coffee deposits. To prepare the solution, 2 tablespoons of soda must be filled with the amount of hot water that a thermos can hold. For flasks larger than 500 ml, the amount of soda should be increased. A closed thermos should stand for 3-4 hours.
2. Acid. This method will remove the smell and remove scale that could get into the thermos with water from the kettle. You can use vinegar, lemon juice or a solution of citric acid. Two tablespoons of any of the listed ingredients are diluted in boiling water and poured into a thermos. The exposure time is also 3-4 hours. It should be remembered that vinegar has a very pungent odor that will disappear during the day.
3. Mustard. Mustard powder should be dissolved in hot water outside the thermos to ensure there are no lumps. The exposure time of the solution is 3 hours, after which the flask must be thoroughly washed. It is not recommended to wash the air pump and lid with mustard.
4. Fig. Suitable only for food thermoses. 50 grams of rice should be poured with hot water of the required volume and placed in a thermos, close it with a lid and shake several times, then leave for 2 hours.

Odor Prevention

It is much easier to prevent the appearance of unpleasant odors than to try to get rid of them. In order to keep the thermos clean and pleasantly groin, there are a few simple rules:

1. Do not use a thermos for drinks and pungent foods.
2. The contents should be in the flask for no more than two days.
3. After each use, the thermos should be washed with a brush, preferably with one of the above solutions.
4. After washing, the product should be stored open.

By following these simple guidelines, you can keep the thermos clean and significantly extend its life.

Video: how to get rid of the smell in a thermos