Is a Travel Mug Dishwasher Safe? What Can Go In – and What Can't

A travel mug is not one part but three – and each reacts differently to the dishwasher:

Because the coating sits on the body, the practical rule is simple: lid in the dishwasher, cup by hand. That way the colours stay beautiful for years.

A dishwasher combines three things: high temperatures, strongly alkaline detergent and long cycles. Stainless steel handles that well – coatings and prints much less so. With every cycle, the surface of a printed or coloured cup gets a little duller, until edges chip or the colour fades.

With other travel mugs, it's also worth checking what the manufacturer says about the insulation: some brands advise against the dishwasher in general because of the vacuum seal or plastic parts. So the answer always depends on the specific cup – which is why the symbol matters.

Look at the bottom of the cup or on the packaging. The common dishwasher symbol shows glasses or plates under water drops. If there's no symbol, or the manufacturer recommends hand washing, stick to that – especially with printed, painted or coated cups.

For HEY SAHNI the rule is clear: lid dishwasher-safe, cup by hand. That's also what it says on every product page of our stainless steel coffee cups to go.

1. Rinse right away with warm water as soon as the cup is empty – dried coffee is the main cause of smells.
2. A drop of washing-up liquid, a soft sponge or bottle brush, done.
3. Let it dry open, with the lid off – never store it closed and damp.

For coffee smell or stains, a tablespoon of baking soda in hot water does the job. The full routine is here: How to clean a stainless steel cup. And if you're wondering whether steel is really the safest material to drink from: Is 18/8 stainless steel safe?