Athletic-Minded Traveler

I have a Nissan stainless steel travel thermos. It’s my second one. And the only reason I replaced it was because of the gross staining and corrosion inside (and a little mishap…more on that later).

I cleaned it often, but I did not follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. I was guilty of several thermos maintenance no-nos. I stuck it in the dishwasher, tried bleach, and used baking soda to scrub the inside. These efforts, for the most part, failed and I ended up with a scratched AND corroded thermos. So when I accidentally left my travel tumbler on the roof of my car and it hit the pavement at 25 mph thereby denting the drinking area, I finally admitted cleaning defeat and ordered a new one.

I use my travel mug every day. I tote it to yoga class and sip my hot tea brew between my Bikram poses. It’s always the same mix: 12 oz water, 4 oz milk, 1 vanilla chai tea bag (Bigelow), 1 Mayan cocoa spice tea bag (Yogi Tea), 1 Splenda and 4 drops Stevia clear. It tastes and smells lovely.

So when after a few months, I noticed the telltale signs of staining, I became worried. Is my mug already wearing out??? This can’t be. I first consulted my Martha Stewart Homekeeping Handbook and came up empty. She covers stainless steel surfaces and cooking equipment and mostly recommends chemical agents. I then did a quick Google search and found recommendations for Oxyclean, baking soda and salt and harsh detergents. I already went downt that path with thermos #1.

So then I did what I have often done, I contacted the maker! Via the Thermos website, I emailed customer service and within a day or two I had my answer!

Here’s the recommendation from Jamie Jenkins:
DIP-IT (coffee pot cleaner) or Denture Tablets usually work the best for
getting out stubborn stains and odors. Put two denture tablets in your
product with hot water and let it soak overnight. (May have to be done more
than once.) Lemon juice can be used for removing odors

I purchased the cheapest denture tablets available, added three to my water filled thermos and let it sit overnight. WOW! It worked. The grime just slid off. It sort of grossed me out…Had I really been drinking from this the last months?????

The upshot: Rely on the maker of your product when you have a problem. If you travel with your hot or cold beverages, try a Nissan thermos. I love mine. And if you want to stay active and healthy when you are away from home, subscribe to athleticmindedtraveler.com!!!!

P.S., if you are a tea lover, try my mix. If you become a fan, save a bundle and order your tea online. I save 30-50% per box!

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