How to Clean Reusable Metal Straws (So They Never Smell)
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Reusable metal straws are brilliant — until one starts tasting of yesterday's coffee. The good news: it's not the straw's fault, it's the cleaning routine. Here's how to keep a metal straw fresh for years.
Why metal straws get grimy inside
The problem is the one place you can't see or reach: the inside of the tube. Rinsing under the tap only cleans the ends. Milk, squash, coffee and smoothie residue dry inside the straw and, over days, turn into a film that smells and taints every drink. A quick rinse never removes it — you have to clean through the straw.
The daily clean (10 seconds)
After each use, run warm water through the straw and give it a shake. For anything other than plain water — coffee, juice, protein shakes — push a cleaning brush through while you rinse. That one habit prevents almost every straw smell before it starts.
The weekly deep clean
- Fill a glass with warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid.
- Push the cleaning brush all the way through the straw a few times, twisting as you go.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- For a stubborn smell, soak in a mix of warm water and bicarbonate of soda for 15 minutes, then brush again.
- Stand the straw upright to air-dry fully — trapped moisture is what breeds odour.
Dishwasher: yes, but…
Most stainless steel straws are dishwasher safe, but the dishwasher won't scrub the inside — water just passes through. Even after a dishwasher cycle, run the brush through once to clear the tube. Place straws in the cutlery basket, not loose, so they don't fly around.
The kit that makes it effortless
A straw is only as good as the brush that cleans it. Our stainless steel replacement straws come with a cleaning brush and storage pouch included — so the tool you need is always to hand — for £7.99 with free UK delivery. They fit Stanley Cup 40oz and every Mato London tumbler.
Shop straws with cleaning brush →
Related reading
- Why Does My Tumbler Straw Smell? (And How to Fix It)
- What Size Straw Fits a 40oz Tumbler?
- Stainless Steel vs Silicone vs Plastic Straws: Which Is Best?
- Are Metal Straws Safe and Worth It?
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean the inside of a metal straw?
Push a cleaning brush through with warm soapy water, twisting as you go, then rinse. This is the only way to remove the residue that causes smells.
Are metal straws dishwasher safe?
Most are, but the dishwasher won't scrub the inside — always run the brush through once afterwards.
How do I get the smell out of a reusable straw?
Soak it in warm water with bicarbonate of soda for 15 minutes, brush the inside, rinse, and air-dry fully upright.
How often should I deep clean my straw?
A quick brush after each non-water drink, plus a proper deep clean once a week, keeps a straw fresh indefinitely.