How and how can you clean a thermos from tea plaque
It is known that after prolonged use, the flask inside the thermos becomes covered with a strange brown bloom, which, moreover, is not easily washed: neither washcloths nor brushes help. However, there is a way out!
You just need to know the basic rules for cleaning a thermos from tea plaque, apply them regularly and the thermos will always be like from a store, and the poured tea will finally acquire a familiar tart aftertaste.
Why does tea bloom appear on the walls?
If you carry out a biochemical analysis, in an ordinary cup of strong hot tea you will find: phenolic compounds, essential oils, alkaloids, protein substances, pigments, mineral and slightly soluble substances, as well as vitamins.
Thus, tea is not only a healthy drink, but also a complex multicomponent chemical solution. Probably, many have noticed such a moment when a thin oily film formed on the surface of the cup, which, when tilted, could remain on the walls.
Actually, this film forms a plaque that accumulates over time on the inner surface of the dish. It appears due to the peculiarities of the chemical and physical properties of some components, when, being isolated, they partially lose the ability to dissolve with decreasing temperature.
How to clean a thermos from tea plaque inside: known methods
The vast majority of modern thermos flasks are produced with a flask in iron or glass. Despite the fact that these materials are quite resistant to the action of various substances, dark plaque gradually begins to deposit on their walls and scale forms.
Of course, it can be removed, but for this you will have to find the most effective remedy.
Baking soda
Pour a few tablespoons of baking soda (3-4 will be enough) with warm water. The flask must be tightly closed, after which, for a while, gently stir the contents. Then the thermos should be left to "sour" until the morning. At the end, the container should be rinsed well and rinsed with detergent.
As an option, a vinegar-soda solution is sometimes used: add 100-120g. soda, pour in hot water (boiling water, for stainless steel flasks), then pour in 50-60 ml. table vinegar. Let stand and rinse the container well.
Groats
Surprisingly, it works! For example, rice porridge can be used as a thermos cleaner from tea plaque from the inside; it is not for nothing that rice is recommended for use in case of food poisoning. However, pearl barley will do for this.
Three, four tablespoons of raw grains (depending on the volume) pour into the container and pour hot water. To speed up the process, you can add a little baking soda. Twist, wait half an hour or an hour, depending on the thickness of the plaque.
After the specified period, the thermos should be shaken well a couple of times and splashed out. Rinse the container well.
Vinegar
Any vinegar is suitable for removing plaque: table vinegar (9%), apple cider or grape. Moreover, the acetic acid in it can both clean the thermos from the tea plaque inside and remove limescale (scale).
To do this, you will need to pour vinegar into a flask (a quarter of the total volume), add hot water, close tightly and set for four hours. Then the contents must be poured, the flask is washed and left to dry until completely dry.
Additional Information! As a "bonus", vinegar will also remove odors.
With citric acid
Perhaps this is the easiest way to tidy up a thermos. Pour a large spoonful of the product with hot water, twist gently and shake a couple of times. Then put it overnight.
Over time, after the liquid has settled, it must be poured out, and the flask must be rinsed well.
How to clean a thermos from tea plaque inside with salt
Quite an unusual, yet quite effective way. Unusual, because in this case the salt must be mixed with ice! Ice needs to be finely crushed and poured into a flask, about a quarter of its volume (or height).
It is advisable to add a couple of spoons of salt. Close the thermos and shake vigorously. Defend all night, and in the morning rinse everything well and leave to dry.
Mustard powder
Boil water in a volume slightly larger than the volume of the flask. Dissolve two dessert spoons of powder in boiling water, stir well and pour into a thermos. Shake it a couple of times, then put it overnight.
The advantage of this method is that, simultaneously with bloom, mustard also removes extraneous odors.
Sparkling water (drinks)
It is also one of the unconventional, but relatively effective methods for cleaning a thermos from the inside of both tea plaque and limescale. "Sprite", although it is better to boil "Coca-Cola", pour into a container and wait until morning.
Important! When using carbonated drinks, do not screw the cap too tight!
What can't be used?
Despite the fact that the materials from which the flasks of modern thermos are made are durable and allow contact with many substances, there are still several rules that it is desirable to observe during operation:
- Do not clean the flask with a hard bottle cleaner.
- Also, do not use an abrasive cleaner. This also includes sand, cereals and egg shells!
- Do not use active cleaning agents such as concentrated acid or chlorinated substances.
Important! It is highly discouraged to close the thermos if moisture or water drops remain inside!
How to clean a thermos inside from tea plaque and odor?
Often a bad smell is added to the plaque present in the flask.
There are several simple ways to display it:
- Cork cleaning. In some cases, it appears due to dirt on the surface of the cork. This is especially true for traffic jams. Cleaning is carried out with a steep heated saline solution, in which you need to immerse the cork for a couple of minutes.
- Lemon.Throw a couple of lemon slices inside a thermos (you can additionally squeeze out the juice) and fill it with hot water. Let it stand. The smell should go away.
- Folk remedies. As an alternative, a little activated charcoal or a slice of stale rye bread is sometimes placed in the flask. They are good at absorbing smell and coffee beans.
You can also use regular vinegar, citric acid or soda.
Note! A musty spirit can appear if the thermos has been kept closed for a long time without being well dried!
How to clean a thermos from tea deposits and limescale from the inside?
The basic methods for removing plaque have been described above. As for lime deposits, they can be removed using various methods, for example, with a “store” cleaner for kettles or dishwashers.
If there is no industrial reagent at hand, it will be possible to remove scale using folk methods:
Citric acid
Pour 20 grams of citric acid into a clean, washed flask, pour boiling water (for a stainless steel container) or just hot water (in the case of a glass flask), stir and infuse overnight. In the morning, you will need to rinse the thermos well.
Vinegar
You can pour both vinegar directly and its aqueous solution: 30-50ml. Pour ordinary table vinegar (9%) with hot water and also leave overnight. Then wash the flask thoroughly.
Confectionery baking powder
Pour three tablespoons of powder with water and wait one and a half, two hours. Then drain the liquid and rinse the flask well.
Following these recommendations, you can not only clean the flask, but also remove mineral deposits, which will only have a positive effect on the quality of drinks. Therefore, you should regularly apply the rules for cleaning a thermos from tea plaque, and it will keep the warmth and taste of hot, freshly brewed tea for a long time.
Video: how to clean a thermos from tea plaque
