Plastic drinking glasses are one of the easiest ways to keep your home free from dangerous chemicals. However, plastic cups can break after a while, so it’s essential to know how to prolong their service life. Here are some tips on how to extend the lifespan of your plastic drinkware:
Hand wash instead of using a dishwasher
Dishwashers are great for washing plates, pots and pans. But when it comes to Plastic drinking glasses, you should avoid using a dishwasher at all costs.
First, the dishwasher’s heat can damage your plastic drinkware. It can also leave behind a residue that might cause your drinks to taste funny or even stain them. And suppose you’re worried about eco-friendliness or cost-effectiveness (your handwash cycle takes longer).
In that case, there’s another reason you don’t want anything but your hands touching these cups: dishwashers are often too hot for plastics—they can warp them in ways that make them unusable!
Check the thickness of the plastic cups
The thickness of the material is one of the most important factors when it comes to determining how long your plastic cups will last. It’s also one of the easiest things to check before you purchase any new drinkware, and it can help ensure that your partygoers have a great time without worrying about broken glassware.
Thicker plastic is more resistant to cracking and scratching, but it’s also more likely to warp under high heat or prolonged exposure to sunlight. If you’re planning on using your cups for hot beverages like coffee or tea, look for a thicker cup because these drinks will increase their temperature faster than cold ones like water or lemonade.
Avoid using harsh scouring pads when cleaning
To extend the life of your plastic drinkware, avoid using harsh scouring pads. This is especially important when cleaning cups and tumblers that have a metallic band around the base because it can cause scratches in this area. A soft sponge or cloth will clean these parts just as well—and with less risk of damage!
Use warm water instead of hot water
Warm water is better for cleaning than hot water, and it’s also better for your dishwasher to clean your plastic drinkware. Hot water can warp the plastic and melt it, which will shorten the lifespan of your straws and other drinkware—not to mention that you won’t be able to get a good seal on them if they’re warped or melted.
Store glasses in a cool, dry place
It would be best to store your glasses in a cool, dry place. Avoid putting them in the freezer or dishwasher; these environments have high moisture levels, which can cause your plastic cups to become brittle and crack. The oven and microwave are also not good places for storing your plastic drinkware because they are both scorching environments.
There you have it—some of the best ways to extend the service life of your plastic drinkware. It’s not a simple one-size-fits-all solution, so make sure you know what kind of plastic cups you have before trying out any of these tips. For example, hand washing is probably a good option if they’re made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Still, if they are made with low-density polyethylene (LDPE), then dishwasher use may be safer for them in the long run.
