How to Keep a Printed Halloween Tumbler Looking Sharp
Spooky-season tumblers spend eleven months in a cabinet. A little care keeps the print bright for next year.
Always start with the care card that came with your tumbler. The tips below are the safe, general approach for stainless steel tumblers with printed, painted or glitter designs.
Wash the outside by hand
- Use warm water, a little dish soap and a soft cloth or sponge.
- Skip abrasive scrubbers and the scratchy side of the sponge.
- Don't soak the whole cup. Wash the inside with a bottle brush and wipe the outside.
- Even if the cup is labeled dishwasher safe, hand-washing helps the print last longer.
Don't forget the lid
Pop out the silicone gasket (the rubber ring in the lid) once a week, wash it, and let it dry before putting it back. Run a straw brush through the straw. That's where cider and pumpkin coffee leave their smell.
Never do this
- Microwave a stainless steel tumbler.
- Use bleach on stainless steel.
- Freeze it full of liquid.
Storing it until next October
- Wash and dry every piece completely.
- Store it with the lid off, or loosely set on top, so air can move.
- Keep it out of direct sunlight, which fades colors.
- Wrap printed tumblers in a soft towel if they're stored with other cups, so they don't scratch.
Shopping for a new one? These hold up well with hand-washing:
Insulated tumblers
Hydrapeak Artisan Skeleton Handle-Lid Straw Tumbler, 40 oz
Insulated tumblers
Zak! Peanuts Halloween Snoopy Sutton Tumbler, Purple, 40 oz
Questions people ask
Why is my tumbler print fading?
Dishwasher heat and strong detergent are the most common reasons. Abrasive sponges and soaking the outside for long periods also wear printed and glitter finishes.
How should I store a tumbler in the off-season?
Wash and dry it completely, store it with the lid off so no moisture is trapped, and keep it away from direct sunlight, which can fade colors.