Everything you need to know about metal straws.
Have you been researching reusable products to replace the single-use plastic in your life? Of all the swaps you can make, straws are one of the easiest and most effective products you can switch for a more sustainable option.
Disposable straws are only used for a few minutes before being thrown away. Because these plastic straws are so small and light, they’re prone to being littered into the environment and ingested by wildlife. They’re also non-recyclable and non-biodegradable, eventually breaking down into harmful microplastics.
All this makes swapping to reusable straws a complete no-brainer. But which type of reusable straw is the best? We’ll explain why metal straws are our favourite, as well as answering your frequently asked questions about them.
What are metal straws made of?
Metal straws are usually made of stainless steel. This is a safe, hygienic and incredibly strong metal that’s often used in food and cooking. Cutlery, pans and metal crockery are all often made of stainless steel.
Why are metal straws better?
If you’ve had your eye on glass, silicone or bamboo reusable straws, you may be wondering how metal straws measure up in comparison. We’ve tested them all, and we’ve found stainless steel straws to be the runaway leader in terms of hygiene, convenience and durability.
Whilst these other alternatives work perfectly well, our tests found that silicone straws tended to gather fluff and hold odours, whilst bamboo could sometimes go mouldy. We loved the mouthfeel of glass, but they were delicate - not great for throwing into the bottom of a bag.
Not only is stainless steel easy to keep clean, it’s incredibly strong and can feasibly last a lifetime. Stainless steel straws are also dishwasher safe and don’t hold odours.
How long do metal straws last?
Stainless steel straws are so strong and rust-resistant, they can last a lifetime of use. In fact, they’re by far the most durable reusable straws we’ve tested.
How do you wash metal straws?
Usually, it’s sufficient to wash a stainless steel straw with warm soapy water, flushing the inside under a running tap. But if your straws are particularly mucky, you can give the inside a scrub with a straw cleaning brush. Many reusable straw packs (including ours) come with a brush included.
Do metal straws taste like metal?
Good quality stainless steel straws should not have a metallic taste. However, if a faint metal taste is detectable with new straws, we recommend soaking them overnight in a solution of water and vinegar, or water and baking soda. If you skip this step, any metallic tastes should disappear anyway after a few washes.
Are metal straws recyclable?
Stainless steel straws are 100% recyclable - but you should check local information before putting them in your domestic recycling bin.
Where can I buy metal straws?
We offer high-quality stainless steel straws in packs of four or eight, which come complete with a cotton carry bag and cleaning brush. Kids will especially love the iridescent rainbow colour - perfect for instilling good habits early. Our straws are long (so they don’t vanish in a bottle), wide (for shakes and smoothies) and angled for easy use.
Buy a 4-pack or 8-pack of our best metal straws here.
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