These Unexpected Pantry Staples Will Leave Your Stanley Cup Sparkling Clean

If there's one item that should be a must-have for everyone concerned about their health, it's a portable flask to keep liquids in so you can stay hydrated no matter where you are. However, when it comes to the Stanley cup, it's almost more of a status symbol to have one in your hand at all times, and rightfully so. It comes in extremely handy as a desk accessory for your home office when you're in a meeting and don't have the time to stand up for another steaming cup of coffee or refreshing iced tea.

While these coveted cups may be all the rage, there is nothing fashionable about drinking from a dirty thermos. Many people make the mistake of not thoroughly cleaning their Stanley cup. As humans, we generally just clean what we can see, but the fact is that vacuum flasks are made up of layers of materials that house grime from all the liquids that pass through them. To keep your drinks hot or cold over time, they also require several insulating pieces inside the lid that liquids often touch and stain. 

Likewise, these airtight pieces keep the liquid from seeping out and need to be accessed and cleaned properly to prevent mold formation. If you're helplessly looking at your Stanley cup and don't even know where to start, try not to worry — they are not Transformers in disguise (we think). Fortunately for us, the company put out details on how best to wash your vacuum cup to keep it healthy and germ-free.

Although vacuum flasks are perfect for insulating liquids, your drink is still classified as perishable food and cannot stay unrefrigerated for long without going rancid, especially if it contains dairy products like cream. However, some people forget and only give their Stanley cup a rinse and maybe a quick wash before replacing the contents with another drink. Not only is this bad for your health, but your cup may harbor some pretty nasty germs as a result. 

According to Stanley's official website, when it's time to wash your cup, you will need a special concoction — an elixir, if you will. Pour ¼ cup of rice — yes, rice — into the cup followed by 3 ounces of white vinegar. Cover with the lid and shake thoroughly for one minute. Leave it to stand for about ten minutes before shaking again for a further two minutes. Then, pour out the rice and vinegar and rinse your cup thoroughly with warm water before leaving open to dry.

You are also encouraged to take apart the Stanley cup's lid if you want a deeper clean, which is ideal to do once in a while because your mouth is on it constantly. The company published an easy, 30-second tutorial YouTube video on how to disassemble the lid into three pieces by rotating them and how to put them back together when you're done. Although the "Quencher" is the company's bestseller and the lid is a bit different, they can all be disassembled similarly.