How to remove the smell of coffee from thermos flasks

Reusable stainless steel thermoses can be great. They're portable, durable, good for the planet and keep your drinks and soups warm. However, one problem many people struggle with is getting rid of that pesky coffee smell on stainless steel. Luckily, we're here to tell you the 3 best ways to get rid of that lingering smell.

3 ways to eliminate the smell of coffee from your travel mug

These 3 methods are quick and easy ways to remove the smell of coffee from your thermos, and you can do it easily in the comfort of your own home and with products you may have right around the house

Vinegar and baking soda

What do you need?

White distilled vinegar

Baking soda

Hot water

First, you will need to pour about 4 ounces of vinegar into a thermos, then add 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Stir the solution with a spoon until it starts to bubble and froth.

Once the frothing has stopped, fill the thermos with hot water and leave it for about 10 minutes to dissolve the coffee stains and odours. Be careful, however, not to put the lid back on as the solution is very reactive.

At the end of the 10 minutes, use a small bottle cleaning brush to scrub the inside of the thermos. Give the thermos a good rinse with hot water to ensure that no vinegar or baking soda remains. Then dry it with a clean cloth or let it air dry.

Dishwasher powder

What you need.

1 tablespoon of dishwasher powder

Hot water

This method is super easy and is something that can be done regularly. First, put the dishwasher powder into your travel mug and pour hot water into it. Put the lid back on and give the bottle a good shake.

Then, fill the thermos with warm water and let it soak for a few hours, or even overnight if you can, with the lid on. Finally, pour out most of the solution and scrub the inside of the bottle with a small brush. Rinse a few times until no dishwasher powder remains, then let it air dry.

Salt and ice

What you'll need.

3 tablespoons of salt

Ice cubes

Fill the thermos a quarter of the way with ice and add 2 or 3 tablespoons of salt, depending on the size of the glass, but quickly as you don't want the ice to melt.

Put the lid on and shake the bottle vigorously, both the ice and the salt will remove the smell and any stains from the inside of the glass. Once you are happy with the results, rinse the thermos off and let it air dry again.

How to remove coffee stains from a stainless steel thermos

All of the above methods are also effective ways of removing coffee stains from thermoses. However, if you have a particularly stubborn stain that just won't budge, try the following method.

In a small bowl mix 8 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with 2 tablespoons of baking soda.

Stir the mixture and pour it into a thermos bottle.

Give the bottle a shake and let it soak for about 30 minutes.

Rinse the thermos off with hot water and repeat the process if necessary until the stain is completely gone and your bottle looks brand new again.

How to keep a good smelling stainless steel coffee mug

The best and easiest way to keep your thermos odour-free is to wash it after each use. Be sure to rinse the bottle immediately or after a few hours so that the liquid inside does not remain or become mouldy. See our tips on how to clean a stainless steel travel mug.