The washing of tumblers can be done by hand or in the dishwasher, but there are some crucial dos and don'ts for each. Let's go over all the actions you need to follow to thoroughly clean your tumbler.
1. Separate all parts
Start by detaching the lid from the tumbler whether you're hand-washing or dishwashing. You must disassemble any other parts, if any, as well.
It's crucial to separate the parts so that each tumbler part gets exposed to water and soap.
2. When rinsing, open and close every part.
In the same way, when it's time to rinse, you'll need to open and close all the parts. Gunk tends to build up around openings, where it's harder to clean, so pay extra attention to these spots.
If you decide to wash your tumbler in the dishwasher, leave the lid open so that water can get into the openings.
3. Deep clean your tumbler.
Tumbler lids are an ideal environment for muck to accumulate and bacteria to thrive. They might require a little more care than the rest of your tumbler.
Allow the lid to soak in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes to release anything that may be on it. After soaking, give it a good scrub and a rinse.
4. Allow to dry completely
Allow your stainless steel tumbler and its parts to completely dry after the dishwasher cycle or after you're done rinsing. Bacteria will be more prone to develop in a damp tumbler.
5. Cleaning methods that are NOT suitable for cleaning tumblers.
Do NOT use bleach: Your stainless steel tumbler contains chromium oxide, which bleach degrades. Your tumbler will eventually rust without chromium oxide, which is what gives the steel its stainless appearance.
Do NOT use a metal brush or steel wool: Your tumbler will get scratched up with abrasive metals, which will draw pollutants that are challenging to remove.
Do NOT microwave your tumbler: Stainless steel, the material used to make tumblers, should never be microwaved. Metals can seriously harm your device by reflecting microwaves back at the microwave.
