!44: How to Remove Coffee Stains From a Stainless Steel Thermos

!±8± How to Remove Coffee Stains From a Stainless Steel Thermos

Do you find yourself sometimes staring into the stainless steel thermos you take to work or use to carry coffee around and wonder how to get it really, really clean so the pesky dirt inside does not damage the taste of your beverage?

Well, you are not alone in this and the following cleaning suggestions may help you keep that thermos spotless and ready for more great tasting gourmet coffee.

1. Use the gentlest cleanser possible instead of harsh and abrasive products that can really tarnish your thermos and even change the flavor of your coffee.

Start with a gentle all-purpose cleanser or soap first. Use only abrasive pads made out of plastic so you do not scrape the inside of the container. If you must, brush lightly.

2. Clean your thermos containers after every use. This is going to make keeping a clean thermos much easier for the long run.

Soak the container for a few minutes before cleaning to remove any stubborn stains that you cannot remove with a washcloth. A soft toothbrush is a great and inexpensive cleaning helper to clean certain stains that are otherwise hard to reach. Dip the brush in a little bit of detergent and scrub very gently. Easy does it. That is the best thing to remember. Sometimes, people will use baby's shampoo because it is so gentle and effective in cleaning. A few drops are all you need.

3. Most smudges come out by using slightly damp paper towers or a soft sponge.

For very stubborn stains, soak the thermos container in warm water with detergent or shampoo for a while longer. Then rinse again with water and vinegar.

4. One other cleaning recipe for very stubborn coffee stains is to use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.

The trick here is to mix about ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Do not over complicate this simple recipe: simply stir and pour into your stained steel thermos. Give a soft shake and let it sit for about 30 minutes. This usually removes the stains from the bottom of the thermos. Rinse very well with hot water. Repeat as necessary.

5. A very easy cleaning method is to fill the stainless steel thermos with baking soda and hot water.

Place a teaspoon or two of baking soda into the thermos, slowly pour near boiling hot water until almost full (notice the effervescence), add a teaspoon more of baking soda and close the lid. Leave closed for 30 minutes or more, depending on the degree of staining on the stainless steel surface. Brush gently with a soft dish brush while rinsing until all the "slippery" feel from the baking soda solution is gone from the inside. Dry the thermos and it is ready for the next time to fill with your favorite specialty coffee.

Is it worth cleaning the stainless steel thermos?

You bet! Coffee flavors, aromas and tastes should be as pure of any other external influences as possible. For those people who prepare their own coffee and carry it for their personal enjoyment (and cost savings), a clean thermos makes all the difference in a great coffee experience or one that is not as good.

Obviously, in case of doubt about using quick cleaning tips that do not intend to offer any guarantee for removal of stains of any kind, by all means contact a professional cleaning service. Or, if applicable, contact the manufacturer. However, for many people, quick tips work well and provide helpful solutions to normal problems such as coffee stains.

Go ahead. Now that you have a clean thermos container, prepare some Vanilla Cream gourmet flavored coffee and give yourself a real treat at your office or on the road!