How to thoroughly clean a reusable stainless steel straw

Stainless steel straws are very practical but need to be cleaned regularly. Regular cleaning will keep your stainless steel straw in tiptop shape and help it last longer. We all know stainless steel is durable, low-maintenance, and long-lasting; however, stainless steel is also prone to staining and rusting once nicked or scratched.

This article will give you all the information you need on maintaining stainless steel drinking straws in 7 easy steps so that they last longer:

Step 1: Soak in warm rinse water for 5 minutes.

The first step is easy - dunk the whole stainless steel straw into a glass or bowl filled with warm water and leave it there for five minutes. This will soften and loosen any leftover residue from your stainless steel straws, making them easier to clean.

Step 2: Unravel the stainless steel straw and use a bottle brush to scrub each component.

Use a small bottle brush (you can usually buy one at your local supermarket) to scrub out all components carefully; this includes both ends of the stainless steel straw as well as inside the stainless drinking tube. Ensure that you give attention to hard-to-reach corners, like where your stainless drinking tube connects with the silicone sipper. Once you've scrubbed away all remnants of limescale by hand, place your stainless drinking straw in warm rinse water again and continue to the next step.

Step 3: Make your stainless steel straws squeaky clean using a small bottle brush.

Once you've given your stainless drinking straws another run with the bottle brush, it's time to use an old toothbrush to scrub the stainless components until they shine. Again, make sure you cover all areas of both ends of the stainless steel straw and inside the stainless drinking tube. This step is very important because any lingering bacteria will start to linger once again if you don't give it attention now; nobody wants this, so keep scrubbing until you're satisfied that all remnants of limescale have disappeared.

Step 4: Rinse thoroughly in cold water for at least 10 minutes

The next step is simple - rinse your stainless steel straws thoroughly under cold running water for at least 10 minutes to remove any trace of cleaning chemicals. Since stainless steel quickly reacts with certain substances, including chlorine, you mustn't skip this step because you could damage your stainless steel straw.

Step 5: Use a stainless steel sponge to dry each stainless steel straw part

Now onto the next easy step - use a stainless steel scrubber (these are usually found in the same section as the bottle brush) or a stainless steel scouring pad to gently wipe away excess moisture from your stainless drinking straw parts. This should be gentle enough that you won't leave scratches behind but thorough enough to ensure that all components are completely dry before using them again.

Step 6: Polish to a stainless sheen using an ultrafine stainless steel polishing pad (optional)

You might not need this step, but since most stainless steel straws are made with semi-polished stainless steel, you might want to take the extra steps needed to remove any tarnish or leftover fingerprints. This will also help make your stainless steel straw look brand new again. For small stainless drinking straw parts like the tip of the drinking tube and ends of both components, use either an ultrafine stainless steel polish pad or even an old piece of T-shirt fabric; for larger components like the stainless drinking tubes themselves, use a soft cotton cloth instead. You'll want to rub carefully in circular motions until all tarnish is removed.

Step 7: Store stainless steel straws in a dry place until next use.

This is important because stainless steel reacts quickly with water. If you want to store stainless steel straws long-term, consider putting them into a plastic bag or airtight container that will prevent any moisture from reaching the stainless steel components. Don't forget - stainless steel is perfect for keeping things clean and ensuring that your health won't be affected by contaminated drinking straws.

In conclusion, Stainless steel straws are a great alternative to plastic straws. They're durable, they last longer, and in most cases, you can put them in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.