How to Properly Clean Your Reusable Stainless Steel Straws

With the state of the world today, there is an urgency to live more sustainably. While the bulk of this responsibility should be on the shoulders of big corporations producing massive amounts of waste, no part is too small in the grand scheme of things. And people want to contribute to the environmental movement in their own small ways. 

Each of us can make a difference by using reusable items to hopefully lessen the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the oceans. In particular, more and more people have been using stainless steel straws as plastic straws have been found to harm sea creatures, such as turtles. But when you get your own reusable straw, you have to know how to properly take care of it to last longer and minimise the need to purchase more. 

Why You Shouldn’t Settle with Just Rinsing

The whole point of purchasing reusable items is to minimise the waste you produce. But when you don’t take care of these items properly, they will only get destroyed. And when they do, you will naturally have to buy a new one. If the cycle keeps repeating, then the whole point is defeated.

So, when you own a reusable straw, you have to clean it properly so it will last longer under your care. And rinsing them just won’t be enough. You see, a lot of bacteria can build up in your stainless steel straws from previous drinks you’ve had. And a quick rinse won’t be enough to remove them and sanitise your straw. 

Ideally, your stainless steel straws should be cleaned after every use. This is especially true if you use them for a smoothie. But if you only use it for drinking water, you can wait until the end of the day to clean it.

Can You Put Your Stainless Steel Straws in the Dishwasher?

While stainless steel straws are safe to put in the dishwasher, the dishwasher won’t do a good job of cleaning them. This is because it can only clean the outside of the straw and not the inside. And having a clean and sanitised inner straw wall is crucial as your drink will be passing through it. So any germs inside the straw will be transferred into your mouth. 

How to Clean Stainless Steel Straws

To clean a reusable straw, you often need a pipe cleaner. And stainless steel straws often come with one when you purchase them. However, if you lost yours, we’ve also provided a short guide on cleaning your straw without a pipe cleaner.

1. With a Pipe Cleaner

If you have a pipe cleaner, it will be much easier to clean your reusable straw. The first thing you need to do is rinse your straw with hot and soapy water. Wet the pipe cleaner with the same water so it can get sudsy. Next, insert the pipe cleaner inside the straw and push it back and forth to clean the inside. Once the inside is thoroughly cleaned, you can then brush the outside of the straw. Rinse it with hot water and let it air dry.

2. Without a Pipe Cleaner

If you no longer have a pipe cleaner, there is still a way to ensure your stainless steel straws get properly cleaned. The trick is to clean them as soon as you’ve finished using them. You start by running hot water through it to prevent residue from drying up inside your straw. You will then have to soak your reusable straw in a bowl filled with warm soapy water. It’s best to let it soak for a few minutes or even a few hours if it really needs a deep clean. After soaking, rinse the straw once again with hot water to loosen any particles left behind. Lastly, run the straw through your dishwasher to clean the outside.

In Summary

Properly cleaning your stainless steel straws will help them last longer and minimise your waste. The best way to clean them is with a pipe cleaner, hot water and some soap. However, you can still clean them without a brush. It will just take longer to do.

Live more sustainably by getting some reusablestainless steel straws from Ecococoon. We are the world’s leading Australian brand for 18/8 stainless steel drinkware and the innovators of stainless steel drink bottles and stainless steel cups. Shop now!