How to wash a Stanley cup to keep it clean and sanitary
The Stanley Quencher may be extremely durable — but it needs to be cleaned properly.
The Stanley Quencher may be extremely durable — but it needs to be cleaned properly.
The Stanley Quencher may be extremely durable — but it needs to be cleaned properly.
If you're the proud owner of a Stanley Quencher Flowstate Tumbler (also known as a "Stanley cup") you already know there's a lot to love about these mugs, from their famed durability to their ever-expanding rainbow spectrum of colors. However, these trendy tumblers do need a little extra TLC to keep them clean — so if it goes everywhere that you do, you'll want to know how to wash a Stanley cup.
While most Stanley models are wide enough to comfortably hand-wash, swishing around a little soapy water is not enough to keep these cups clean, as some crevices can harbor bacteria and mold if not scrubbed regularly. Even though the Stanley brand says that the Quencher bottles are dishwasher-safe, there are some small parts that you'll want to wash separately.
Keeping your Stanley cup clean isn't hard; all you'll need is a few minutes and some basic cleaning supplies at the ready. Plus, you can use these tips for cleaning any other reusable water bottles you have at home. Read on to learn how to wash a Stanley Cup, so you can keep sipping with total peace of mind.
How to wash a Stanley cup
Supplies You'll Need:
- Dish soap
- Small, soft-bristled brush or clean toothbrush
- Straw-cleaning brush
- Wash basin (optional, if you can't plug your sink)
- Microfiber towel
- Take apart the tumbler, removing the straw, lid, rubber gasket, and spout protector (if your model has these components).
- Fill your sink or wash basin with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Submerge all parts in the water and let soak for 15 minutes. This will help loosen any grime that may be stuck in the crevices to make it easier to scrub away later.
- Add a drop of dish soap to your moistened, soft-bristled brush and use it to gently scrub the lid, rubber gasket, and spout protector. Rinse all parts with warm water. Pat dry with a microfiber towel or let air dry.
- Use the straw-cleaning brush to scrub the inside of the straw. Rinse intermittently with hot water between scrubs to help wash away any grime or soapy film. To dry, position the straw vertically to help moisture slide down the interior before storing it away.
- Rinse the tumbler and hand-wash it with soap and water. Pat dry with a microfiber towel or let air dry completely before storing away.
Is the Stanley cup dishwasher-safe?
According to the manufacturer, all Stanley Quencher models are dishwasher-safe, though the "mirror-like finish" may wear away after multiple washings.
The tumbler component is best to run in the dishwasher, as it doesn't have small crevices that trap moisture and grime. All other pieces of the Quencher tumbler should be washed by hand using the above instructions.
What to do if your Stanley cup gets moldy
If, upon disassembling your Stanley cup, you see that some parts have gotten moldy, you might be grossed out — but don't toss your tumbler. Instead, do this to disinfect it:
- Spray either distilled white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide (but not both) onto the moldy surface. You can also soak the part in the solution, if easier.
- Let sit for up to 10 minutes, then rinse.
- Using a clean, soft-bristled brush with a little dish soap, scrub the area until the mold comes off. Rinse.
- If the spot is stubborn, you can repeat the disinfecting soak a second time, then rinse, scrub, and rinse the part again.
- Once the stain is gone, soak all parts in warm, soapy water and wash each component thoroughly using the standard cleaning instructions above. Make sure each part is completely dry before storing away to prevent mildew growth.
Do Stanley cups contain lead?
Recently, the Stanley Cup has gone viral again due to users discovering the use of lead in its materials.
This is what the brand says on its website:
In short: While there's no lead on the inner or outer surfaces of the water bottle where you might come into physical contact with it, there is lead used internally at the base of the cup.
If the base cap of your tumbler gets damaged and exposes the lead sealing material underneath, you should discontinue using the product. Stanley's website also notes that if this base cap came off from regular use (meaning, you didn't intentionally damage it), they'll cover a replacement under its Lifetime Warranty.
