Yucky looking smoothie straws??

[Susan123]

I have a couple of reusable straws that I use for my morning smoothies, but they are starting to get discolored and yucky looking. I've been rinsing them at work with HOT water to clean them, but I'm wondering if there is something more I need to do (I don't think the dishwasher can get into the straw channel). What do you think? :confused:

[Revvell]

I think you need to replace them or don't use straws. The stuff stays in there, will collect bacteria... unless you can find a straw cleaner.

[Colorawdo girl]

Susan..tooo funny. Just had this come up yesterday with boys I nanny.
I switched to the little throw away ones(ugh) as the other accordian type collected all kinds of green sludge!!!

Stuff not want to leave straws very readily.

[JCB44]

Try soaking in food grade 35% hydrogen peroxide.

[ReneeH]

O.k...here's what I did... I bought some glass straws online and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!!!! To clean them, I found a tiny, thin straw; put some liquid soap inside the glass one and push the cleaner through it with the tiny, thin straw... WORKS GREAT FOR ME!!!

[Colorawdo girl]

woooooooohooooooooooooo you rawk Renee Rawkin Renee!!!!

[HolyGuacamole]

Are they glass straws?
My glass straws rinse out very easily with hot water, even when they've been used in very thick smoothies.
Even if I don't get to them the moment I am done using them, a good soak in hot water is all it takes.
I never use soap on them or pipe cleaners, just hot (to very hot) water.
*shrug*

[Susan123]

I should have clarified, they aren't coated with sludge (ewwww) but more or less stained (I think). I do have one straight (reusable) straw that is hard plastic that may be easier for me to clean. I drink the bulk of my smoothies in the car on the way to work so I'm not sure how well the glass straw would work against my mason jar in the car (I see broken glass in my future).

[Moretta]

Never would have thought about glass straws. Great idea. Thanks ReneeH.

[T-Bird]

Renee always has the answer to everything!

And her picture is so joyful, I always smile when reading her advice!

[ReneeH]

AWWHHHH!!!! :o WoW!!! What a sweet thing to say, T-Bird!!!! Thank you so much!!! You just made my day!!!!!


I'm not sure how well the glass straw would work against my mason jar in the car (I see broken glass in my future).

Susan: I use mine in the car as well...I've never had a prob with it. When I get home, I just leave it in the car where ever I go and then when I get home, I just take it out of the car and wash it. If you think you might still have a prob, then just use a plastic re-useable one for the car and the glass ones for the house. When my guests come over, the glass straw with the smoothie is an impressive touch... :D

[Susan123]

Renee- Now you've really peaked my interest if they are sturdy!! Where does one purchase a glass straw?!

PS- Your photo *IS* full of joy!

[RawSar]

You can buy tiny little scrubbies that are specifically for cleaning glass straws. They would work for any straw I'm sure...

http://www.glassdharma.com/accessories.html

We use the glass straws. I use to put them in the dishwasher but one broke and one chipped that way so now I use the mini scrubby and wash by hand.

[useglassinstead]

If you bought the glass straw from Glass Dharma, they do guarantee (lifetime). They have a special method of a certain quality of glass and how they anneal it.

I soak my straws that have been left for smoothies to dry on, then pop them in the dishwasher, and they come sparking clean (you can see through clear glass). I did buy the cleaning straw, but have yet to use it.

[oceanluv]

I think rinsing them in cold water first, and then washing with the hot water would prevent the sludge or residue from cooking and sticking to the sides of the glass straws.

[Aleesha Sattva]

i've been using glass straws for quite awhile and have never broken a single one!!!

http://www.timelessspirit.com/MAR09/review3.shtml