How to Clean and Care for Mepal Drink Bottles and Cups
By Mepal | Clever products for every moment in your life. | Mepal | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Tips & Care
Keep Mepal drinkware fresh with a simple daily and weekly routine. Learn how to clean bottles, trainer cups, and flip caps, plus remove smells and avoid common mistakes.
Quick answer
Rinse Mepal drink bottles and cups with warm water and mild dish soap after every use, then air-dry all parts completely before reassembling. Once a week, deep-clean lids, seals, and straws with a small brush to prevent odor and residue buildup.
Daily rinse: the five-minute habit that prevents most problems
As soon as the bottle or cup is empty, rinse it with warm water and a drop of mild dish soap. Use a bottle brush to scrub the inside walls and the bottom, where milk or juice residue tends to settle. Pay attention to the lid: open any flip cap or pop-up spout and rinse the drinking channel thoroughly. If you used the bottle for water only, a hot rinse may be enough, but a quick soap wash is still the safest default.
Weekly deep clean: what to disassemble and how
Once a week, take the bottle or cup apart as far as it goes without tools. Remove the lid, silicone seals, straws, and any valve pieces. Soak these small parts in warm soapy water for five to ten minutes, then scrub them with a small brush or a dedicated straw brush. Use a toothpick or the tip of a small brush to clear the crevices around flip-cap hinges and trainer-cup spouts. Rinse everything under running water until no soap film remains.
Dishwasher: what is safe and what is not
Most Mepal drink bottles and cups are dishwasher safe on the top rack, but always check the specific product page for your model. Lids and small parts can shift in the dishwasher, so place them in a cutlery basket or a mesh bag to keep them secure. Avoid the bottom rack and high-heat drying cycles, which can warp seals over time. If you are unsure about a part, hand-washing is the safer choice.
Removing smells and stains from Mepal bottles
If a bottle still smells after washing, soak it overnight in a mixture of warm water and baking soda (about one tablespoon per cup of water). For stubborn stains, make a paste of baking soda and a little water, apply it to the stain with a soft cloth, and rinse well. Do not use bleach or abrasive cleaners, which can damage plastic and silicone parts. After soaking, wash again with mild soap and air-dry completely.
Drying and storage: the step most people skip
After washing, shake out excess water and place all parts on a drying rack with good airflow. Leave lids open and separate from the bottle so air can circulate inside. Never store a bottle or cup with the lid screwed on while still damp, as trapped moisture encourages mold and odors. Once fully dry, reassemble loosely or store parts separately.
Step-by-step cleaning routine for Mepal drinkware
- Rinse immediately after use: Empty the bottle or cup and rinse with warm water as soon as possible. If you used milk, juice, or a smoothie, add a drop of mild soap and shake well before rinsing. Checkpoint: no visible residue or lingering smell after rinsing.
- Disassemble and soak small parts weekly: Take apart the lid, seals, straws, and valves. Soak them in warm soapy water for five to ten minutes. Use a small brush to clean inside straws and around flip-cap hinges. Common mistake: skipping the seals and hinges, which are where mold often starts.
- Wash the bottle body with a bottle brush: Scrub the inside walls and bottom with a bottle brush and warm soapy water. For stainless steel bottles, avoid abrasive pads that can scratch the interior. Checkpoint: the brush reaches all the way to the bottom and corners.
- Rinse thoroughly and check for soap film: Rinse all parts under running water until no bubbles or slippery feel remain. Soap residue can affect taste and attract dust. Common mistake: not rinsing the lid's drinking spout well enough.
- Air-dry completely before reassembling: Place all parts on a drying rack with space between them. Leave lids open and upside down so water can drain. Do not reassemble until every part is bone dry. Checkpoint: no moisture visible inside the bottle or lid.
- Deep-clean monthly or when odors persist: Soak the bottle and parts in a baking soda solution overnight. For stains, use a baking soda paste and a soft cloth. Rinse and wash again with mild soap. If odor remains after this, replace the seals or contact Mepal support.
Mepal drinkware that fits this care routine
- Mepal Vita stainless steel water bottle 900 ml – Vivid blue: This stylish stainless steel water bottle has two openings for easier drinking, refilling and cleaning. Closes with a simple twist. The two-opening design makes it easier to scrub the inside and let it dry thoroughly, reducing the risk of trapped moisture and odors.
- 360° trainer cup Mepal Mio 200 ml - Little Dutch - Little Farm: The improved 360° drinking cup: leakproof and even smarter. Stays closed until your child drinks – no more spills. Drink from any angle, all by themselves. Because it stays closed until drinking, there is less chance of spills and residue build-up, but the 360° rim still needs regular deep cleaning to keep it hygienic.
- Schoolbeker Campus 300 ml - Spiderman: De ideale schoolbeker? Een lekvrije natuurlijk! Daarom kies je voor een schoolbeker van Mepal: gegarandeerd lekvrij en makkelijk door kleine kinderhandjes te gebruiken! A leakproof cup for small hands means fewer accidents, but the lid and seals should be cleaned daily to maintain that leakproof performance.
