How to Clean Reusable Drinking Straws With or Without a Straw Cleaner

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Easy solutions to keep your straws free of gunk and germs
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What’s not to love about reusable straws? They create less waste, are much better for the environment, and make drinking on the go easy. But, cleaning them can seem tedious, especially if you don’t have a straw cleaner. In this article, we’ll explain how to clean your reusable straws with a cleaning brush or with other methods (if you’re brushless) with tips from professional cleaner Susan Stocker. Keep scrolling to learn more!

Best Ways to Clean Reusable Straws

Professional cleaner Susan Stocker suggests soaking the straw in a 1:1 solution of vinegar overnight to loosen stubborn, stuck-on gunk, then rinsing it off in hot water. Or, scrub the inside with a soapy straw cleaning brush or pipe cleaner to remove buildup. For a low-effort clean, pop it in the dishwasher.

Section 1 of 4:

Cleaning Reusable Straws with a Straw Cleaner

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  1. 1
    Rinse your straw with hot water to loosen debris. Rinse the straw right after using it to keep new debris from caking on the inside. Cover the bottom end with a finger and run hot water through the top. Then, remove your finger and let the water run all the way through. If you notice chunky bits, plug the bottom hole, fill it with water, then blow through the top to dislodge them.

    Meet the wikiHow Expert

    Susan Stocker is a professional cleaner with over 10 years of experience. She’s cleaned for 1000+ clients, specializing in reduced-carbon-emissions cleaning.

  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Reusable Straws
    Squirt a few drops of dish soap onto a pipe cleaner or cleaning brush . Use whatever dish soap you have on hand. [1] Insert your straw cleaner and pull it back and forth a few times to clean out any hidden material in the straw.
    • If there’s extra stubborn gunk inside that won’t come out, Stocker suggests soaking the straw in a mix of equal parts water and vinegar with a splash of lemon juice overnight. In the morning, rinse it with a hard hose in your sink to dislodge the gunk. [2]
    • If you are using a cleaner that isn’t long enough, insert it at both ends to clean. Or, twist 2-3 together to get the desired length. Twist them tightly so they don’t fall off inside the straw. [3]
    • Try a dish soap that contains natural ingredients if you are worried about ingesting soap residue.
    • Add baking soda to your brush and rescrub the inside if you still see debris that won’t dislodge.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Reusable Straws
    Don’t forget to give the outside a quick scrub to make sure it’s clean, as well. [4] Use dish soap and a sponge to scrub the outside of the straw. After scrubbing, rinse the soap off using warm water.
    • If you don’t have a sponge available, soap up your hands and scrub the outside of the straw with your fingers.
    • Rinse the inside of the straw under warm water to remove the soap, too.
  4. Standing your straw in an upright position will allow excess water to drain out, letting the straw dry completely. Avoid mildew by letting your straw dry before putting it away.
    • Use a drying rack to help your straw stay upright by leaning it against the metal frame.
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Section 2 of 4:

Cleaning Reusable Straws without a Straw Cleaner

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Reusable Straws
    If you don’t have a pipe cleaner or brush, it is best to rinse out your reusable straw immediately after use. If the straw sits for too long, the liquid you were drinking will dry and cake onto the inside of the straw, making it much harder to clean. Rushing hot water through the straw immediately after use can clean it out nicely.
    • If you can't immediately rinse your straw, stick it into a water bottle and take a few sips of water. While this is not as effective as hot water, it is better than nothing.
  2. According to Stocker, soaking your straw in warm, soapy water can help break up any material stuck inside the straw. [5] Soak the straw for anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Once you're done, run hot water through and over the outside of the straw to rinse out any loosened residue that might still be stuck in the straw.
    • Try filling a large mason jar with warm, soapy water and add the straw. Cap the jar and shake it thoroughly to help dislodge material. Then, rinse out the straw until all of the soap is removed. When cleaning bamboo straws, this is the best method to use. [6]
  3. Most straws are dishwasher safe, but it is best to check the manufacturer's instructions for the straw you are trying to clean. Once you’re confident your straw is dishwasher safe, place the straw in the bulk utensil section and run the dishwasher. [7] When clean, make sure the straw stands upright long enough for it to dry out completely.
    • Stainless steel straws and glass straws do well in the dishwasher. Bamboo straws, on the other hand, should just be soaked and rinsed.
    • According to Stocker, putting straws in the dishwasher is a great way to clean reusable straws. [8]
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Section 3 of 4:

Where to Buy Straw Cleaners

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  1. 1
    Buy straw cleaners online or from big box stores like Amazon or Walmart. Straw cleaners tend to come in packs ranging from 2-9 cleaners of different sizes and are available at places like Amazon , Walmart, Target, and Walgreens. Some straw cleaners even come in kits that include different-shaped cleaners, as well! They typically go anywhere from $5-$15, depending on the type of cleaner you buy. Some of our favorite straw cleaners include:
  2. 2
    Or, buy pipe cleaners from your local crafts store. Pipe cleaners are available at craft stores like Michaels, Staples, and Ace Hardware. They’re typically in stock everywhere, as they have many common uses, from pipe cleaning to crafts for kids. They tend to be affordable, too, with packs of pipe cleaners typically going for $1-$8, depending on the size.
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Section 4 of 4:

Which straws are easiest to clean?

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  1. 1
    Glass straws Since you can see through glass straws, the debris, gunk, and buildup are easier to spot. Although you’ll still need to use a straw cleaner to get in there and remove everything, being able to see will make the cleaning process much easier, as you won’t be shooting in the dark and wiping blindly. [9]
  2. 2
    Boilable straws Straws that you can boil are much easier to clean than your standard reusable straw. Boiling water helps get rid of contaminants, kill germs, and break down debris in the straw, making it much easier to rinse and clean as opposed to using a straw cleaner. [10] You may still need a straw cleaner for gunk that’s extra tough or dense, but it’s not guaranteed.
    • Glass and metal straws are typically boilable, while rubber and plastic straws aren’t.
  3. 3
    Rubber straws Rubber straws provide more flexibility than glass or metal reusable straws, as they can be bent and reshaped to fit your cleaning needs. Say you’re washing a rubber straw that has gunk built up in the middle. By bending the straw and squeezing from the middle down, you’ll be able to dislodge the gunk more easily than if you were cleaning an inflexible metal or glass straw.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What if my straws melt in the dishwasher because of their thickness?
    T. Chinsen
    Top Answerer
    Most reusable straws are stiff and solid. If you can bend it with your fingers, then it will not be dishwasher safe. The product label that came with the container will let you know whether it is dishwasher safe. If it is a branded item, look it up on the manufacturer's website.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
  • Question
    How often should you clean your straw?
    Ruby
    Top Answerer
    Clean the straw after every use, the same as you would for any other dishes.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3
  • Question
    I have metal straws. I have been cleaning them by placing them in a shallow container with warm water. I then add a couple of denture tablets and let them do their thing. Is this sufficient?
    KittyHawk8900
    Community Answer
    While denture tablets are good enough for use in the mouth, they don't disinfect against mold and mildew, which is the main problem with reusable straws. It's better than nothing, but it would be best to try a different method that prevents mold buildup.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about cleaning reusable straws, check out our in-depth interview with Susan Stocker .

      References

      1. ↑ https://metro.co.uk/2018/08/04/properly-clean-reusable-straw-7798456/
      2. ↑ Susan Stocker. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNCLD5lV2N0
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L921runl53M
      5. ↑ Susan Stocker. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ http://bamboostraws.bigcartel.com/how-to-clean-bamboo-straws-easy-straw-care
      7. ↑ https://metro.co.uk/2018/08/04/properly-clean-reusable-straw-7798456/
      8. ↑ Susan Stocker. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/0ox_4KjKXkM?si=JbGb-77n29j7o2Dj&t=5
      1. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/water-emergency/about/drinking-water-advisories-an-overview.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Reusable straws are a great way to save the environment, but don’t forget to clean yours regularly. Your straw may have come with a pipe cleaner but if it didn’t, buy a few to make cleaning your straw a breeze. Just squirt a few drops of dish soap onto the pipe cleaner, insert it into your straw, and work it up and down to clean the inside. Then, scrub the outside with a sponge and soapy water. If you don’t have a pipe cleaner, soak your straw in warm, soapy water for a few minutes. After you've cleaned your straw, rinse it with clean water and leave it to dry. Place it upright so the water can drain out properly. Alternatively, wash your straw in the dishwasher if it’s made of glass or stainless steel. Avoid dishwashing bamboo straws. For more tips, including how to combine pipe cleaners to clean long straws, read on!

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