I just wonder how well one cleans the reusable straws--stainless steel and other materials ones. The hole is so small it would be tough to put anything in it to brush the sides. Pipe cleaners tend to be too short. Hmm
Another vote for stainless steel straws here. We have a cat who loooooves plastic straws and will steal them out of your drink the moment you turn your back. Or right in front of your face. Or, in fact, while you are in the act of bringing the drink to your mouth.
He particularly likes the bendy ones because they flip around unpredictably when you play with them.
He leaves the stainless steel ones alone, however, which is why we switched to them. If we end up with a plastic one from a take-away drink, we bring it home for the cat. Otherwise, stainless steel all the way.
JenJenJenJenRegistered UserPosts: 1,116Senior Member
We bought a box of biodegradable straws, but they are essentially thickish paper and get soggy while you use 'em. Essentially, they start the biodegrading process while in use!
ChoatieMomRegistered UserPosts: 5,147Senior Member
We bought a set of metal julep cups many, many years ago and have used the metal straws that came with them exclusively for all drinks ever since. Nice to find out we've been doing the right thing in ignorance. I rarely use a straw, though, due to the wrinkle concern noted on the previous page. I'll take my chances with the germs on the cup.
Oh dear - another new thing to be guilt-tripped about.
We never use straws at home, but we commonly get served them in restaurants whether we ask for them or not. I use them in fast-food places because I like to cover my drink with a plastic lid to prevent spillage, particularly when taking the drink out "to go." And a straw is the only way to drink the soda when you've got a plastic lid on the cup. I'm fine with it if they want to bring paper straws back. But are plastic lids now a sin too?
doschicosRegistered UserPosts: 19,515Senior Member
@Scipio No guilt trip. If it works for you fine, if it doesn't fine. It was something I didn't really focus on but can easily give up without thinking twice. Perhaps with time, drinks can be dispensed in packaging that doesn't require straws. Look at progress that has been made in other areas just because awareness was raised and packaging altered with little to zero downside to the consumer. Packaging in many areas is so much better than it used to be. Sorry if little baby steps cause you to feel guilt.
My doctor told me that using straws could be bad for my GERD because it could cause air to get in and make me burp. I generally sip now and only use straws for iced coffee. My entire family orders our drinks without ice and I don't use ice at home. I felt completely at ease in Europe and oddly uncomfortable down South when I ask for no ice in my soft drinks.
The environmental argument makes me even more interested in not using straws. We did have the stainless steel ones for a long time but I don't really see a need for them now in our house.
sylvan8798Registered UserPosts: 6,667Senior Member
edited July 2017
I've never seen a stainless steel straw, but wouldn't that have the same issues with temperature as drinking directly at the ice? And no, I don't want to spend any of my day washing out a straw with a little tiny brush! I'm willing to look for the paper ones in the store.
I keep the SS straws in a water bottle (tall and not frivolous for water use) with a little detergent and bleach. Smoothies are not your friend if they are not quickly cleaned, but this works fine for us. The brush lives close by for a quick swish. My people just grab from the bottle, rinse and use. I change the water at some point in the day.
I rarely use straws but am just as happy without ice or drinking carefully so I don't splash myself from the huge ice cube that is many of the small ones combined. For takeout, we ask for a cup and drink water most of the time. H does like drinks with straws at takeout.
psychmommaRegistered UserPosts: 2,834Senior Member
edited July 2017
Paper straws taste weird to me. I have reusable plastic straws for my lidded drink cups, and a straw cleaner. The straw cleaner sits in a holder with the bottle brush, dish scrubber, and scrub daddy, by the sink.
Replies to: Be Straw Free
I have a hard straw I can bring with me but I always forget the damn thing when I go out
He particularly likes the bendy ones because they flip around unpredictably when you play with them.
He leaves the stainless steel ones alone, however, which is why we switched to them. If we end up with a plastic one from a take-away drink, we bring it home for the cat. Otherwise, stainless steel all the way.
We never use straws at home, but we commonly get served them in restaurants whether we ask for them or not. I use them in fast-food places because I like to cover my drink with a plastic lid to prevent spillage, particularly when taking the drink out "to go." And a straw is the only way to drink the soda when you've got a plastic lid on the cup. I'm fine with it if they want to bring paper straws back. But are plastic lids now a sin too?
The environmental argument makes me even more interested in not using straws. We did have the stainless steel ones for a long time but I don't really see a need for them now in our house.
I have this one: https://www.google.com/shopping/product/2742781694048079092?lsf=seller:7815,store:14659814441036802029&prds=oid:7868005520239455241&q=straw+cleaner&hl=en-us&ei=L_VXWfqbH8Lr-QGu0qfABQ&lsft=gclid:Cj0KCQjwkN3KBRCuARIsADT_flr6SCkoOZ2HBxeUeJBkP79q57CCVdwY27hfgzZQe0MomgKDsexWYZ4aAp33EALw_wcB