Brenda asked: I have a Contigo coffee travel mug. It seals by a vacuum-like press. How do I clean in the tight places of the lid? I use milk in my coffee and it gets yucky. I almost need a brush the size of a cotton swab, but bendable.
Table of Contents:
Cleaning the deep grooves of travel mug lids is a common problem and reason that many travel mugs end up in the trash. Whether it’s milk or sugar for coffee or tea, when these items get trapped, they lead to mold and growth that no one wants close to their beverages. To clean these grooves we have to think outside the box and re-task our cleaning tools.
You Will Need:
- Dish soap or detergent
- Warm water
- Soft cloths
- Bottle brush (some have nipple brushes as well that are smaller)
- Small brush (such as Wilton tip brush)
Steps to Wash the Mug:
- Fill the sink with warm water.
- Add a small amount of dish soap or dish detergent.
- Agitate the water to mix until suds form.
- Place the entire cup into the water so that it is completely submerged.
- Allow the cup to soak for several minutes to loosen any dried on dirt or drinks.
- Use a soft cloth or sponge to wash the surfaces, both inside and out.
- Use the bottle brush to clean the inside of the cup/mug and remove any residue from the beverages on the bottom.
- Use a small brush to clean the grooves and tight areas in the lid. This brush is built on a wire and can be bent to reach difficult areas.
- Rinse all pieces of the cup/mug thoroughly with clean water.
- Dry with a soft cloth.
- Set it on a drying rack and allow it to air dry completely.
- If any dirt or drink residue could not be removed, place the lid (and mug/cup if metal) into the dishwasher for additional cleaning.
Additional Tips and Advice
- To remove build up, some have found it helpful to fill the mug and add a polident tablet. Allow it to soak for several hours before washing and rinsing thoroughly.
- Always store the mugs and cups with the lids removed. This will prevent moisture from becoming trapped in the cup, and ward off mold and other growth.
- Metal cups can be placed in the dishwasher along with the lids. However, painted and ceramic cups should be hand washed. All lids can be washed in the dishwasher.
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Fizzy stuff = Vinegar + baking soda
Instead of Polident, you can use one tablespoon baking soda and 1 tablespoon vinegar + some water.
Clean the lid vigorously with water to get gunk out. Push the button a few times as you run water on it. Rinse the lid.
Over the sink, hold the lid on it’s back. Put about 2 warm tablespoon water INSIDE the lid.
Put the baking soda in. Shake the lid a bit so the baking soda dilutes in the water.
Now add the tablespoon vinegar. The water will fizz.
When it’s nearly done fizzing, push the button a few times so the mix cleans the “closed” area too.
Rinse the lid under warm water, and clean it. You’ll need to rinse REALLY well because it might smell like vinegar, but the smell will go away.
It takes less than 30 seconds, when you’re used to it.
Steam clean
If you frequent a coffee shop, ask the nice people behind the counter to “Steam your lid” using the high pressure steam from the Cappuccino machine. The people at my coffee shop do this for everyone who brings in their own mugs. It works great if done regularly, but not sure if it will work for lids or mugs that have been left to build-up mold.
Easy Breezy
I have had the stainless Contigo travel mug for about a year now. I am from Seattle area and drink coffee, kool aid, and milk out of mine daily. I like it because I have real wood floors in my house and I don’t like for people or myself to spill the contents all over the floor. Also, I work outside for a living so it gets dropped by accident a lot. I guess its like a Timex – takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’! Anyway, I put my mug in dishwasher and let it do its thing. Every now and then maybe throw some vinegar in there and agitate it, but beyond that, these things are a breeze to clean.
Contigo travel Mug
I swear by these mugs, LOVE THEM! The best way to clean out the top is to use the hottest water and pressure to get in the small areas. I left coffee in mine once and it got a big nasty so I soaked it in hot soapy water for a few hrs then used the high power hot water to get all the small spots then cleaned again. It worked great. I see here they are saying to put the mug in dishwasher. Disregard that. You can put the lid in but not the mug itself because it is vacuum sealed. This may mess up the seal. Always best to clean the mug part by hand.
Compressed air
If you have a air compressor, I use a blower and hit the lid with 100 psi air after soaking. Gets all I can see out.
Contigo cleaning
After soaking the lid, I use a pipe cleaner. Works well and is cheap.
Boil it out
Boiling the lid for 10 minutes helps get all the black gunk out of the inside of the lid. Just soap and water will not do it. I need to try the 30 sec BS & Vinegar treatment recommended here.
Best travel mug EVER!!
I’ve had the same Contigo stainless steel travel mug for almost 3 1/2 years and I use it daily. I am just now considering replacing it because the autoseal button actually comes off when I wash it. Amazingly it still doesn’t even leak!! It’s a travel mug that after one use you will NEVER use another.
The lid!
I’m really considering buying one of these Contigo travel mugs because the reviews are so good. I want a non-leaking mug that keeps my coffee hot and is comfortable to use. However, if so many people find it difficult to keep the lid free from gunk and odor it is a concern. Why doesn’t the company address this problem and/or change the lid?
To clean the lid, I would suggest temporarily jamming open the mouth piece and then placing into the dishwasher. Otherwise, the sealed parts that are compressed against the lid are not exposed for cleaning.