women kneeling with a water bottle.

We’ve all experienced it: you have a favorite tumbler or water bottle that you love to use but eventually gunk builds up and you're not sure the best way to clean it. Drinking from something that’s dirty is unpleasant and unsanitary and it can be a challenge to determine the best way to clean it. 


Fortunately, if you’re using a stainless steel tumbler, you’re less likely to get bacteria build up. But tumblers still accumulate germs and need to be cleaned regularly. Here, we’ll break down all the steps you should take to clean your favorite tumbler so you can start using it again!

 

Cleaning Your Stainless Steel Tumbler

You can enjoy a good tumbler for years if you provide it with the proper care. BrüMate’s stainless steel tumblers are sturdy and expertly crafted, but they still need to be washed occasionally. There are several ways to clean your tumbler, so you can choose which method works best for you. 


Tumblers can be hand-washed or put in the dishwasher but there are some important do’s and don’ts for either method. Let’s break down the various steps you should take to give your tumbler the best possible clean. 

 

1. Take apart all pieces

Whether you hand-wash or dishwash, you should start by separating the lid from the tumbler. If there are other pieces, as with the BrüMate Shaker Pint, you’ll need to take those apart too. The important thing is that the pieces are separated so that each part of the tumbler is exposed to water and soap. 

 

2. Open and close all parts when rinsing

By the same principle, you’ll also need to open and close all the parts when it’s time to rinse. Gunk likes to collect around openings where it’s harder to clean, so be sure to give these areas some extra attention. If you choose to dishwash, make sure that water is able to reach the openings of the lid by leaving it open during the wash. 

 

3. Use a bottle cleaning brush


Why not make life easier on yourself? A bottle cleaning brush will dramatically improve your deep cleaning skills and make sure that every nook of your tumbler gets properly scrubbed. 


The BrüMate Bottle and Tumbler Cleaning Bundle has everything you need to keep your drinkware ready to use. The bundle features a BrüBrush with two cleaning heads and 20 all natural VooBrü cleaning tablets. 

 

4. Scrub with dish soap/detergent

Now that you have all the right tools to get started, it’s time to scrub your tumbler and lid. Use a mild dish soap and wash the tumbler pieces in the sink. Be sure to rinse well!

 

5. Allow to dry completely

When the dishwasher cycle is finished or you’re done rinsing, let your tumbler and its parts dry completely. A wet tumbler will be more likely to grow bacteria.

 

woman smiling and holding coffee tumbler outside.

 

How to Clean the Lid

Tumbler lids are an easy place for gunk to build up and for bacteria to grow. They may require a little more attention than the rest of your tumbler. That’s okay!


For best results, let the lid soak in warm soapy water for around 10 minutes to loosen up anything that may be on it. After you’ve let it soak, give it a good scrub and a rinse. Let dry and enjoy!

 

How to Clean the Straw

Narrow spaces are always the hardest to clean, so straws can be especially difficult to rid of contaminants. Wash with water and dish soap, making sure that the water is getting through the whole straw. If this isn’t sufficient, use a straw brush! All BrüMate straws come with a straw cleaning brush and a pouch to keep them in. Get yours here!

 

How to Deep Clean Your Tumbler

Sometimes a standard wash isn’t enough. Maybe you left your tumbler in the hot car with liquid still in it or it simply hasn’t been cleaned in a while. Even if you keep your tumbler in tip top shape it’s good to give it a deep clean every other month. 


A tried and true method for deep cleaning is washing with baking soda and vinegar. Add a tablespoon of baking soda and a splash of vinegar in the bottom of the tumbler. When the mixture starts to bubble, set it aside for a moment until the bubbling settles down. 


Once the foaming stops, close your tumbler with the lid and shake to coat the inside with the cleaning mixture. You can then pour the baking soda and vinegar out and give the tumbler and lid a good rinse. 


After you’ve rinsed, take the pieces of your tumbler apart and give it a standard clean with dish soap and water as laid out in the section above.


Another great way to deep clean your tumblers is with the VooBrü cleaning tablets. These tablets remove the toughest of stains from your tumblers with our patent-pending formula. Use these tablets to help your tumbler look good as new!

 

What NOT to do When Cleaning Your Tumbler

While we’ve given you several examples of how you should clean, there are a few common cleaning methods that are not suitable for cleaning tumblers. 


  • Do not use bleach - Bleach breaks down the chromium oxide inside your tumbler. Chromium oxide is what makes stainless steel stainless and without it your tumbler will rust over time. 
  • Do not use a metal brush or steel wool - Abrasive metals will create scratches in your tumbler that will attract contaminants that become difficult to clean out. Instead stick to the BrüMate scrub brush!
  • Do not microwave your tumbler - BrüMate tumblers are made of stainless steel which should never be put in the microwave. Metals will deflect microwaves back at the microwave itself, dealing serious damage to your appliance.

 

man holding tumbler outside.

 

Find Your Next Favorite Tumbler With BrüMate

With this step by step guide, you should have everything you need to keep your tumbler clean to give yourself the best drinking experience possible. Try these cleaning tips with our wide selection of BrüMate tumblers!


The next time you enjoy a beverage with BrüMate, tag us on Instagram! Looking for something new? Check out all the finest BrüMate products on our best sellers page!