How To Clean A Flask With Bicarb, Rice Or Vinegar | Cleanipedia UK

Maybe your like

Cleanipedia UK logo

Bathroom Cleaning
Clothing Care
Family
Floor and Surface Cleaning
In the Home
Kitchen Cleaning
Laundry
Out of Home
Sustainability
Hygiene

Ah the humble flask. Many of us use thermal or vacuum flasks to get our hot drink fix on-the-go. They’re also undeniably handy for picnics and carrying soup on colder days. This is great for cutting down on single-use plastic (and saving us some cash at the same time).

However, you will need to clean your flask after each use, and the narrow neck can make it a little awkward to clean. While a quick wash is fine most days, you’ll want to give it a thorough clean now and then to keep mould, bacteria and nasty niffs away. Here’s how to clean a flask.

Cleaning a flask with washing up liquid

A hand washing a red object with a yellow sponge covered in soap suds.

Before you start looking for the best way to clean a flask ,do check for any manufacturer’s guidelines (if you’ve chucked them away, have a look on the brand’s website).

✦
Take off the cup and stopper.
✦
Pour away any liquid that’s left in the flask.
✦
Give it a quick rinse.
✦
Don’t soak the flask, as submerging it in water for a long period of time can damage it.
✦
Using warm water and a mild washing-up liquid, wash both the interior and exterior of your flask. You might be able to use a soft cloth or sponge. However, if the neck is too narrow to get your hand in, you’ll need to use a soft-bristled bottle brush or toothbrush.
✦
Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of washing-up liquid. It’s best to do this using hot, running water.

How to clean a Thermos flask stopper

Washing a dirty pan with a sponge and dish soap.

Some stoppers can be washed in the dishwasher. If yours can’t, use a mild washing up liquid and an old soft bristled toothbrush to clean it. Make sure you get in all the crevices. And rinse it thoroughly, or your next latte could taste rather soapy.

You won’t be able to reach some parts of the stopper, so it’s a good idea to give the whole thing an extra good clean sometimes, using a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in a cup of warm water, and that soft bristled toothbrush.

Don’t forget to wash the cup out, too. Follow the steps for cleaning your flask that we’ve set out above.

How to dry a flask

A red travel mug dismantled for cleaning next to a kitchen sink filled with soapy water.

Now that you know the basics on how to clean a Thermos flask, it’s time to learn how to dry it efficiently. If you have time, allow your flask, stopper and cup to drain and air-dry. Open up the stopper to allow air to circulate. Then, use a clean towel to dry off any excess liquid. Make sure it’s completely dry before you put it away.

How to clean a flask with bicarbonate of soda

Stainless steel isn’t always quite as stainless as you might expect. If your flask is showing tell-tale tea or coffee stains, here’s how to get it sparkling again.

✦
First off, wash the flask using the steps above.
✦
Then fill it with boiling water.
✦
Add a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda (also known as baking soda).
✦
Screw the stopper back on and leave it for at least an hour. (You might want to leave it overnight if the flask is really stained or smelly.)
✦
Tip the water away.
✦
Rinse thoroughly.

Quick Tip: Check out our comprehensive guide on bicarbonate soda to learn other ways you can use the compound for cleaning around the house.

Tea stains aren’t just reserved for flasks. Here’s how to remove ugly brown tea stains from cups and tackle tea stains on clothes.

How to clean a Thermos flask with vinegar

Don’t have any bicarb to hand? White vinegar can also help to remove stains and deodorise your flask. Besides, vinegar has antibacterial properties, making it an effective sanitiser for your flask. Here’s how to clean a flask with vinegar:

✦
Pour half a cup of white vinegar into your dry flask.
✦
Give it a really good shake, (pretend you’re making your favourite cocktail).
✦
Leave it for 20 minutes.
✦
Pour the vinegar out.
✦
Rinse thoroughly.

Now your flask is stain-free again, the rest of your kitchen might be looking a bit dull. Here’s how to get your sink and taps sparkling again.

Cleaning a flask with rice

Pouring uncooked rice from a red container into a metal spoon over a sink.

Uncooked rice can be your secret weapon for cleaning a flask as it can get into those hard to reach edges.

✦
Half fill the flask with cold water.
✦
Add a couple of tablespoons of rice.
✦
Shake it for a few minutes.
✦
Empty the rice and water into a sieve so the rice doesn’t block your drain.
✦
Rinse.

How to wash a flask in a dishwasher

Your life will be a lot easier when you learn how to wash a flask in a dishwasher. Besides, many stainless steel flasks are dishwasher-safe. You will need to check the manufacturer’s guidelines though, as some types of flasks aren’t suitable for cleaning in a dishwasher. Double-walled vacuum insulated bottles can get water trapped in the cavity between the two layers. The high heat of a dishwasher can also damage the paintwork. Also, make sure that you’re using the ideal amount of water in the dishwasher to ensure that you’re thoroughly cleaning the flask.

If your flask is dishwasher-safe, take the top off and open up the spout. Put the stopper and cup on the top rack of the dishwasher, facing whichever way is best in order for them to not collect water.

Manufacturers tend to recommend putting the main flask on the top rack too, but it probably won’t fit. If you want to risk putting it on the bottom rack, make sure you don’t use the highest temperature.

How to clean a glass thermos flask

Glass flasks are usually dishwasher safe, but do check the manufacturer’s advice. If in doubt, hand wash using a mild washing up liquid, as detailed above. Never use boiling water, as it could break the glass. And if you end up with with stains, you can read our guide on how to remove dishwasher marks on glasses.

How to get limescale off a flask

If you use your flask every day and live in a hard water area, you might find limescale deposits building up. Here’s what to do…

✦
Fill your flask with boiling water.
✦
Add a teaspoon of citric acid.
✦
Leave it for half an hour.
✦
Pour the water away.
✦
Rinse thoroughly.

How to keep your flask working at its best

Now you know how to clean your flask, here are some top tips to keep it working in tip-top condition.

✦
DO check the manufacturer's advice before you wash it.
✦
DO wash your flask before you first use it, and after every use.
✦
DO use baking soda or vinegar for stains.
✦
DO pre-fill your flask with either hot or cold water (depending on what you want to use it to store) for around three minutes before use.
✦
DO make sure your flask is dry before you put it away.
✦
DO store your flask with the stopper off.
✦
DON’T overfill your flask. This could lead to leaks and damage to the stopper.
✦
DON’T use any abrasive, solvent or bleach-based cleaners.
✦
DON’T submerge the flask in water for long.

Planning to head to the park now your flask is shiny and fresh again? You’ll want to read these picnic ideas then…

Welcome to #CleanTok

The home of cleaning on TikTok. Brought to you by Cleanipedia.

Explore Cleanipedia

Proud Supporter of #CleanTok

Frequently asked questions about cleaning a flask

What is the best way to clean the inside of a flask?
If you don’t have a bottle brush, the best way to clean the inside of a flask is by creating friction by using rice, salt or bicarbonate of soda. As we shared in this article, you can pour rice into the flask and fill half of it with cold water. Close the flask then shake it for a few minutes. You can use the same process with salt and bicarbonate of soda.
How do you clean a stainless steel alcohol flask?
Using washing up liquid and water is enough to clean the exterior of a stainless steel alcohol flask. If you see any debris or stuck-on dirt, use a sponge to scrub it off and avoid abrasive brushes as they may leave scratch marks on the flask. For the inside, you can create cleaning friction by using salt and water or vinegar. You can use the same method we shared for cleaning a flask with rice.
How do you clean a rusty flask?
According to a University of Hawaii study, vinegar can be effective in removing rust. So, you can use it to clean a rusty flask. What you’d have to do is mix about half a cup of white vinegar with about a litre of hot water. Soak the flask in the solution, ensuring that it’s fully immersed. Otherwise, you’d have to add more water and vinegar to the mixture. After about ten minutes of soaking the flask, clean it as usual.

Was this article helpful?

LikeHelpfulDislikeNot Really