Attention Parents: You Might Be Cleaning Your Child’s Sippy Cup All Wrong!

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Updated: June 4, 2020
Originally Published: Feb. 17, 2016

Recently, a dad named Mike shared a shocking discovery on Facebook after inspecting his child’s sippy cup. After a meticulous daily cleaning routine, he finally took the cup apart only to find dark mold lurking in the nooks and crannies! He mentioned that despite his efforts, the cup’s design made it tricky to fully disassemble. “We were horrified to find that our little one had been using this cup in such a state,” he lamented.

It turns out, Mike isn’t alone. Many parents jumped in to check their own cups and found similar hidden horrors within. The design of some sippy cups can make it nearly impossible to clean thoroughly, leading to surprise mold growth. Let’s be honest, how many of us have tossed out a cup because we discovered something gross while cleaning? We’ve all been there.

Most of us don’t bother reading the instructions on a sippy cup—who has the time? We assume we’re washing them correctly, but it often takes one gross revelation to get it right. The combination of food, moisture, and the plastic parts of these cups can create a breeding ground for bacteria if not cleaned properly.

The cup manufacturer, Happy Kids Co., responded to this issue by explaining that their caps are designed to meet international child safety standards, which is why they can be tough to take apart. No one wants loose pieces floating around in a child’s cup, but that makes cleaning a challenge. They even shared videos on how to clean their bottles effectively. Spoiler alert: this advice is valuable even if you don’t own one of their products!

So, how can you avoid the mold nightmare? Here’s some sage advice from Clean Sippy Cups:

1. Wash the cup right after use.
2. Disassemble completely. Mold loves to hide in the joints between parts, so separate all straws, valves, and rubber rings.
3. Pre-rinse parts. Give those straws and valves a warm water rinse before the main wash.
4. Clean thoroughly. You can wash by hand with soapy water or toss them in the dishwasher.
5. Shake out excess water. Don’t forget to shake out any water hiding inside straws and valves.
6. Dry all parts completely. Moisture can lead to mold, so let everything air dry before reassembling. It might even be wise to store cups disassembled until you’re ready to use them.

Having the right cleaning tools, like a long bristle brush, can help you reach those tricky spots. By following these tips, you can wave goodbye to gross mold and the guilt of being a “bad parent.”

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In conclusion, don’t let hidden mold be your parenting nightmare. A little diligence goes a long way. Keep those sippy cups clean, and your little ones healthy!