Banish Coffee Odor From Containers & Tumblers With This Kitchen Ingredient

The smell of freshly brewed coffee is delectable, even to non-coffee drinkers. So much so that you can use coffee grounds for a fresh-smelling home. But that also means your morning cup of joe can leave an odor in your drinkware long after you've taken your last sip. Luckily, baking soda is all you need to get rid of the lingering scent. You can wash your canister with the powder to remove odors and stains.

To help prevent persistent smells, it is best to wash your tumbler after each use. Don't let it sit in the sink or your bag all day before cleaning it. If that isn't possible, at least give the container a rinse with water once you've finished the last sip of coffee. However, when it's too late for preventative care, the ingredient to reverse the stale espresso stench is probably already in your kitchen — cleaning with baking soda is effective, budget-friendly, and simple.

Baking soda is an alkaline compound that can neutralize acidic odors like coffee. It is why people leave a jar of baking soda in smelly cabinets, refrigerators, closets, and other stench-prone areas. The powder also absorbs oils, and the natural oils in coffee are often a contributor to the lingering scent in your travel mug.

To get rid of the coffee smell, add one teaspoon of baking soda to your container and fill it up with warm water. You'll also want to bathe the lid, straw, rubber seals, and other removable parts in this mixture. Stir the solution before letting the dishware soak for 30 minutes. If the container has a persistent or strong odor, you may want to leave it overnight. Then, simply rinse the container out with dish soap and water. The traces of caffeine should be gone. Ensure all the pieces dry completely before storing or using the canister again. However, if the stale coffee smell is still fighting strong, you may need the help of an acid.

If the coffee odor still lingers after cleaning the container with baking soda, you can repeat the process or grab another kitchen ingredient — white distilled vinegar. The acid is a natural deodorizer and its odor eliminating properties are one of the many ways to use vinegar for cleaning up messes. To deodorize your tumbler, soak it in a solution of equal parts vinegar and water for a few hours. Letting it sit overnight is best. Then, rinse your container with water and the coffee smell should be no more.

Vinegar and baking soda can also work together to deep clean your containers. Simply fill your mug with ½ cup of white distilled vinegar and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. The acid and alkaline substances will react and fizz up. As the reaction settles down, cap your container and shake it like you're auditioning to be a bartender. Then, dump out the solution and rinse with water, before letting the container air dry. You can do this deep clean monthly to help avoid odors and bacteria build-up.