Caring Instructions

I live and die by my All-Clad d5 Stainless Steel pots and pans, which I use for making just about everything. But the other day, while tackling some stuck-on food that was particularly stubborn, I consulted the computer to verify the correct way to clean my cookware. And guess what? I've been cleaning them all wrong! Cleaning stainless cookware, it turns out, involves a little extra TLC. Put that scouring pad away, and find out the right way to preserve your quality pots and pans, when you read on.

Like double-walled reusable cups, metal drinkware — in particular, the portable stainless steel water bottle — is ubiquitous these days. While they're an eco-friendly way to stay hydrated on the go, it's important to remember that they have to be properly cared for in order to maintain longevity. Want to be sure you're preserving your bottle so it lasts as long as possible? Follow these tips.

• Be gentle. Wash your drinkware by hand, as the dishwasher can be damaging to bottles, and the narrow nature of metal bottles means dishwasher detergent may not hit all interior surfaces. (Exception: if you have a plastic lid, this can go into the machine.) Don't use bleach- or chlorine-based cleansers.
• Clean your drinkware correctly. Fill your bottle with warm water, then drop in a specialized bottle cleansing tablet. Alternatively, mix warm water with a drop of dishwashing soap, put the top on, and give it a good shake. Rinse thoroughly with warm to hot water. Need to give the lip of the bottle a good scrub? Enlist the help of a soft toothbrush.
• Remember that metal is a conductor of heat! Avoid pouring very hot liquids into your bottle, as it'll increase the temperature of the exterior wall, making your drinkware hard to handle. Be sure to allow steaming hot liquids to cool to a drinkable temperature before transferring them into the container.

How often do you wash your stainless steel drinkware?

Ever since Starbucks came out with its highly coveted to-go cold cup tumbler, I've been spotting similar versions everywhere: at drugstores, on the bus, and all over Sugar HQ!

Double-walled acrylic cups are an eco-friendly, sturdy vehicle for not only iced beverages like coffee, but also the smoothies I've been whipping up every morning as a fresh start.

Want to know how to ensure your reusable drink ware lasts as long as possible? Then follow these tips, when you keep reading.