Neel Patel  July 29, 2024

How to Care for Custom Drinkware: Tips for Cleaning of Glassware, Benefits of Handwashing & More

Whether you’ve got a new drinkware set for your business or received a special gift, it’s important to know how to properly clean your cups and bottles. Keep reading if you want to learn how to sanitize glassware and other custom drinkware without damaging the imprint or the custom drinkware itself. We’ll explain handwashing, dishwashers, and the best method for your custom drinkware. Whether you have ceramic mugs, fancy glassware, or travel mugs with high-quality insulation, how you care for them will affect how long they last.

Benefits of Handwashing and When to Do It

While some people find handwashing dishes relaxing, most would agree that using a dishwasher is easier. So, why do we hand wash our drinkware?

It protects the imprint. Your new mug or other drinkware might be dishwasher safe, but the imprint often isn’t. The high heat and strong water jets in dishwashers can wear away the designs on full-color promotional drinkware. Unless the care instructions say it’s dishwasher safe, don’t risk it.

It preserves the insulation. Insulated travel mugs, tumblers, and thermoses usually have double-walled or vacuum insulation, special linings, and more that can be damaged by the dishwasher’s heat and pressure.

It prevents warping. Plastic cups can warp in the dishwasher due to the intense heat. Even if labeled as dishwasher safe, avoid stretching them between the prongs on the rack and keep them on the top rack where the heat is less intense.

What Does Dishwasher Safe Mean?

“Dishwasher safe” means that drinkware can be washed in the dishwasher without getting damaged. Whether labeled “top rack safe” or “dishwasher safe,” always place drinkware on the top rack. This keeps it away from the heating element at the bottom of the dishwasher. Even dishwasher-safe ceramics should go on the top rack to protect any imprints.It’s more effective. Simple mugs and cups are easily cleaned in the dishwasher, but travel mugs with lids have hidden crevices that the dishwasher jets can’t reach. Handwashing these items ensures a more thorough clean.

How Do I Know If My Custom Drinkware is Dishwasher Safe?

To be sure your custom drinkware is dishwasher safe, look for a label. Without this label, hand-washing is best to protect your drinkware and its custom imprint. If you don’t have the original care instructions, check the bottom. Most dishwasher-safe drinkware will have a symbol indicating it’s safe for the dishwasher. This symbol often looks like a square with a dish and water inside, like a cup and water droplet or a plate with diagonal lines. Remember, this means the drinkware is dishwasher safe, but the custom imprint might not be.

Still unsure if you should use the dishwasher? Ask yourself these questions:

1. Is the material likely to be damaged by the dishwasher? Plastic that warps or changes color, different types of insulation, and unfinished ceramics can be damaged by dishwasher heat and pressure. If your drinkware seems delicate, don’t risk it.
2. Is the imprint likely to be damaged by the dishwasher? Laser-engraved or etched imprints usually withstand the dishwasher, but most ink-based imprints won’t. Repeated exposure to dishwasher heat and pressure will wear them away over time.
3. How much do you really like your drinkware? If you’re not completely sure your drinkware and imprint are dishwasher safe, is it worth the risk? For items you love and want to last, hand-washing is the safest choice

Types of Custom Drinkware

• • Glassware

    Glassware is delicate and often features intricate designs. Proper handling and cleaning are crucial to prevent scratches and breakage.

 

• Custom Mugs

  Custom mugs are popular gifts and promotional items. They come in various materials, including ceramic, porcelain, and glass.

• Custom Tumblers

  Tumblers are versatile and often used for both hot and cold beverages. They require specific cleaning methods to maintain their insulation properties.

• Custom Bottles

  Custom bottles, whether plastic, glass, or metal, are used for hydration on the go. Each material demands a unique cleaning approach to avoid odor and bacterial build-up.

 

How to Clean Coffee Stains From Mugs

Tea and coffee are delicious, but they contain tannins, which can cause stains. Here’s how to remove those dark rings from your favorite coffee mug without damaging it:

Soap and hot water: If the stain is fresh, soaking the mug in hot, soapy water and then scrubbing it can prevent the tannin stains from settling into the glaze.

Baking soda: Scrubbing with baking soda can lift stains out of your mug. Be careful not to scrub the imprint, as baking soda can wear it away. Use this method only on the inside of the mug or directly on the coffee stains.

Distilled white vinegar: Soaking your mug in white vinegar can loosen the stain, making it easier to scrub away. This method is also great for cleaning cloudy glassware and removing hard water buildup.

While harsher detergents and bleach can work, these gentler cleaners are less likely to damage your custom mug.

How to Clean Water Bottle Lids

Water bottle lids have many small ridges that can trap moisture and bacteria, leading to mold and other issues. Here’s how to clean them:

1.Take apart what you can: If your lid has a removable rubber gasket or straw, take them off. Wash these parts separately to clean every little ridge and crease where bacteria can hide.

2.Soak in distilled white vinegar: If your lid has many moving parts (like flip spout lids), soak them in distilled white vinegar to kill bacteria hiding in crevices. To avoid a lingering vinegar taste, do this only once a month. Alternatively, use a baking soda solution to kill bacteria without the vinegar taste.

3.Scrub what you can reach: Use a bottle brush and straw cleaner to scrub hard-to-reach places. After soaking, scrub thoroughly and rinse well.

Conclusion

Not sure how to clean a metal water bottle or a glass bottle instead of a plastic one? Vinegar is a gentle but powerful cleaner for any type of water bottle. There’s no need to worry about the material unless you’re using bleach or something that could corrode the finish on your metal bottle over time. Baking soda is more abrasive than vinegar and safe for most metals, but it should be avoided for aluminum.

No matter how you sanitize your glassware and drinkware, remember how your cleaning method affects them over time. Dishwashers are effective but can be too harsh on delicate materials. While hand-washing can be tedious, it helps protect your drinkware, keeping imprints and performance lasting longer.

For more tips and high-quality custom drinkware, visit Optamark.com.