Travel mugs: they keep you hydrated and warm when you’re on the go, and they mean you don’t need to pollute the planet with umpteen disposable cups if you buy a takeaway coffee. If you’ve invested in a standout printed travel mug, of course you want to preserve its life by looking after it properly.
Carrying out thorough cleaning of your best on-the-go cup ensures it lasts for years to come; perhaps even more important, though is it guarantees mould and other nasties don’t have a chance to accumulate. Follow our top tips to keep your most prized custom travel mug tip top!
How to remove mould
Mould can be troublesome, especially given the intricate mouthpieces of some travel mugs – paired with the fact that many are not dishwasher-safe. Mould not only looks unsightly, but it’s toxic too. It will make your drinks taste acrid and is generally not something you want anywhere, other than a strong blue cheese!
To get rid of mould, you don’t need anything fancy; hot water is your friend. First, fill a bowl full of the stuff, plus a few squeezes of your usual washing-up liquid. Then, take your travel mug apart as far down as you can. Importantly, make sure you remove any rubber seals. Soak all the component parts in the hot, soapy water and give everything a scrub with a dish brush.
The final step is to dry everything properly, so nothing is left damp; mould loves moisture. Once it’s all bone dry, put it back together!
How to remove stains
Even if they don’t pose a health hazard, stains can certainly destroy the look of your much-loved travel mug. Hot drinks such as coffee or tea are quick to leave their mark, thanks to high levels of tannins they both possess. We all know how these tannins can tarnish tooth enamel, and unfortunately the nation’s most popular hot drinks also stain travel mugs.
- Baking soda and vinegar
This age-old trick for removing stains has stood the test of time. It’s great for cleaning stainless-steel mugs in particular, and simple to do. Make a mixture in a bowl of two teaspoons of baking soda, and pour on a few generous swigs of vinegar. The mixture should begin to froth and you can now dip your travel mug into the ‘potion’, and even swill it inside the cup itself. The acetic acid in vinegar reacts with the baking soda, and release carbon dioxide which is great at getting rid of stains and grease. Although not harmful, give the mug a good rinse afterwards to make sure your next cuppa tastes as expected!
- Lemon and baking soda
This is essentially the same premise: mixing an alkali with an acid, but lemon juice is a little bit gentler than vinegar which works better on printed travel mugs. It is effective on stained mugs made of plastic, too, and leaves your favourite travel companion smelling fresher than ever! You can find more stain removing tips over here.
Protect your mug on the go
If it’s not stains and mould that you’re worried about, but chips and marks from your mug rattling about in your bag, then why not invest in a carry case? Just as you would cushion a laptop or other valuable item, you can also protect your custom travel mug from suffering damage when you’re on the move.
And, if all else fails and you need to refresh your collection, you can have fun researching your next custom travel mug!
