Cleaning a thermos can be a headache, as anyone who has used one knows. Due to their design, it’s challenging to reach inside for a thorough scrub. Even with dish soap and a long-handled brush, it’s common to worry about residual soap at the bottom affecting your health.
Fortunately, there are much simpler ways to clean a thermos. All you need is some rice and a few minutes to spare, and you can easily keep your thermos pristine without the fuss.
First, pour warm water into your thermos, filling it about halfway. Then, add a handful of rice. The rice grains create friction and act as a fantastic disinfectant.
Finally, add a pinch of salt to the thermos. Salt is a powerful disinfectant and antibacterial agent, ensuring a thorough clean.
Once you’ve added the rice and salt, tightly secure the lid and shake the thermos for about two minutes. As you shake, the rice grains will continuously scrub the inner walls, dislodging any grime. Meanwhile, the combination of warm water and rice creates an effective cleaning agent, swiftly dissolving stubborn residue.
Next, apply a suitable amount of toothpaste to the thermos mouth, and use a toothbrush to scrub the mouth and lid thoroughly. This area has spiral grooves that tend to trap dirt.
For a more meticulous clean, you can also scrub the inside of the thermos with toothpaste. Besides its cleaning properties, toothpaste helps eliminate unpleasant odors that may linger in your thermos.
Finally, rinse the thermos with clean water. However, refrain from sealing the lid after cleaning, as moisture can lead to mold. Instead, leave the thermos in a well-ventilated area until both the interior and lid are completely dry before sealing and storing it away to prevent mold effectively.
In addition to rice, you can also use the following methods to clean and eliminate odors from your thermos:
– Lemon or White Vinegar: Add two tablespoons of white vinegar or the juice of one lemon to your thermos, along with warm water. Shake well, let it soak for an hour, and then rinse.
– Newspaper: Crumple up newspaper and stuff it into the thermos. Let it sit for 2-3 days to absorb odors. Remove the paper and rinse the thermos with clean water.
– Baking Soda: Rinse your thermos with hot water to remove any remaining impurities. Add two teaspoons of baking soda and warm water, or combine baking soda with white vinegar, and let it soak for an hour before rinsing.
– Eggshells: Clean and crush eggshells, then add them to your thermos. Follow the same cleaning process as you would with rice.