How to Clean Bamboo Straws

January 26, 2023 0

Introduction:

Bamboo straws are drinking straws made from bamboo. Bamboo is a natural grass that grows very fast and is renewable. It comes in various colors but mainly shades of dark green. The inside of how to clean bamboo straws used for drinking straws looks similar to the inside of a wood coffee stirrer or popsicle stick.

You can even use it as compost because it’s mostly water, cellulose, and lignin, all organic materials found in soil, so they’ll eventually break down over time if left outside. In this article, I will discuss how to clean bamboo straws. So let us get started.

A Detailed Stepwise Guide on How to Clean Bamboo Straws:

Bamboo straws are a great alternative to plastic or paper straws because bamboo is a sustainable resource and the straw itself is biodegradable.

However, many people say that they get a ‘straw smell’ from drinking from these types of straws, which can be unpleasant. To keep them fresh all the time, you’ll need to know how to clean bamboo drinking straws properly! So here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Straws for Cleaning

The first step in cleaning bamboo straws is to remove any dirt or debris from them. Avoid removing the natural elements of the outside of bamboo because you might accidentally damage it.

So here’s what you do: Take a toothbrush and wet it with hot water, then dip it into baking soda [1]. Next, gently brush away any dirt, grime, or particles that are visible on your drinking straw [2]. Make sure not to scrub too vigorously!

You may also add some vinegar [3] onto the bristles if there is extensive mold present. Do this very gently so as not to damage your straw while trying to clean it. Step One by rinsing the cleaning residue off the straws.

Step 2: Rinse and Wash Your Straws

Once you have cleaned your straws, make sure to rinse them out with water to remove any remaining dirt or baking soda. After rinsing, wash your straws with dish soap.

It’s best to wash them by hand rather than in a dishwasher because this allows for better control over what is being done—step Two by placing the bamboo drinking straw into warm water mixed with dish soap.

Make sure the straw doesn’t touch the other side of the sink, or it will move around too much while trying to clean! Bubbles are produced when you add product onto bamboo sticks, so avoid adding too much dish soap at once.

Step 3: Rinse Water

Rinse water must be added to the mix to ensure that all of the soap is removed from the bamboo straws. After rinsing, place your straws outside in the open air to dry; this makes them ready for re-use.

Let bamboo sticks dry under sunlight or fan after adding warm water mixed with dish soap onto the product. Make sure to lay them down! Otherwise, they move around too much while trying to clean and can break easily.

If you follow these steps carefully, you should have no problem cleaning your bamboo drinking straws! Remember that it is best to wash them by hand rather than in a dishwasher so that there is more control over the cleaning process.

Precautions While Cleaning Bamboo Straws:

Bamboo straws are one of the most popular alternatives to plastic straws because they are made from renewable materials and recycled after use. But it is essential to clean bamboo straws carefully, especially if you plan on using them for your baby or toddler. Here are some precautions that should be taken when cleaning bamboo straws –

Never wash bamboo straws in the dishwasher, as high temperature could warp their shape and make it difficult to drink out of.
Warm water (not hot) with a mild soap (like natural baby shampoo) would suffice.
Avoid using bleach, Borax, or any other harsh chemicals which could corrode or leave behind an unpleasant smell. If you prefer using vinegar, make sure to rinse it thoroughly before use.
Use a bottle brush to clean the inside of the straws.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why Recycle Bamboo Straws?

Well, because recycling is good for the environment, isn’t a good enough reason for you? Then here are some other reasons:

They’re made from renewable resources, so no need for mining or deforestation! You probably already know that plastic takes hundreds of years to bio-degrade.
Bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial, so you can use them for your next drink without worrying about bacterial growth.
They’re totally natural! You don’t need any toxic chemicals or nasty bleaches to clean them.

How To Identify Quality Bamboo Straws?

When you buy a piece of bamboo furniture or even a simple vase, it is important to inspect it for weak points such as cracks. The same goes for our new eco-friend, the bamboo straw! There are several things we can do to ensure that the straw won’t break in our drink.

1) The diameter of the straw should be consistent. Bamboo is a natural product, and the diameter can vary slightly with each piece, but if it’s too thin or thick, there could be weak points.

So when you look closely at your straws, make sure any variation of the thickness is subtle and not extreme. Additionally, you want to check for splintering along where the joint connects with the base of the straw.

If you see more than minuscule splinters on these areas, this would also indicate poor construction quality, which leads us to your next check…

2) Are there any cracks in the bamboo? This might seem like an obvious statement but believe me, and you’ll be surprised at how many issues this one little check uncovers! If there are no cracks, then awesome, you’re set.

However, if your straw does contain any cracks (no matter how small), these could lead to larger problems during use. If the crack is only along the surface of the bamboo and you can’t insert a fingernail into it, then the integrity of the straw has not been compromised.

Most split bamboo straws I find happen around or near where it has been glued together (connecting joints). These splits may look like hairline fractures, but they will grow over time, forming gaps that greatly affects stability and functionality.

3) Examine where you connect with its base. This is where a lot of people make their mistakes. I’ve seen many photos on Pinterest and Facebook groups showing straws stacked neatly inside a cup without mentioning how they checked for quality control.

You need to lift that cup and take a look! If you see any seams or rough edges along the bottom, the manufacturer did not sand down this area which creates a weak point when inserted into a glass.

How Long Does It Take For Bamboo Straws To Be Ready For Use?

For some, it may take longer than usual because the fibers are tightly packed together. After washing, you’ll notice that the straws expand and become more flexible. The tighter packing keeps water out, so you won’t have to worry about moisture damage to the bamboo inside of your straw.

Conclusion:

I hope this article has been beneficial for learning how to clean bamboo straws. Ensure all the precautions while performing the process. Thank you and have a nice day!