Comments on: How to Wash a Contigo Travel Mug

By: Guy

Guy — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:04:51 +0000

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.

By: Nancee

Nancee — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:07:55 +0000

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?

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:08:24 +0000

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.

By: CJ

CJ — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 05:10:22 +0000

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.

By: Erica

Erica — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:49:20 +0000

After soaking the lid, I use a pipe cleaner. Works well and is cheap.

By: Rallysmurf

Rallysmurf — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:40:10 +0000

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.

By: Vikki

Vikki — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 23:08:40 +0000

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.

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:28:53 +0000

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.

By: Jaime

Jaime — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:40:16 +0000

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.

By: Mimi

Mimi — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:45:03 +0000

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.