Office workers who make coffee or tea, you may have chosen the wrong time to wash the cups!

In our daily lives, there are many small habits that can have a profound impact on our health. One of the often overlooked issues is, should the cup for drinking water be washed before going to work or after get off work? How many times a day is healthier to wash? Although this seems to be a simple little habit, it actually involves personal hygiene and how to effectively prevent the growth of bacteria.

If the cup is not cleaned for a long time, it will become a breeding ground for bacteria and microorganisms. An experiment conducted by ABC TV in the United States found that almost all sippy cups had bacteria or mold, and 25% of the sippy cups had E. coli . In addition, an experiment in Japan showed that the number of bacteria in different beverages increased dramatically within 24 hours: water increased from 600 to 1,100, barley tea increased from 600 to 3,700, and the number of bacteria in cola, pure orange juice and milk coffee increased from 600 to 2.4938 million, 2.5039 million and 5.1759 million respectively.

There are often two schools of thought among office workers regarding the habit of washing cups: some prefer to wash them in the morning, treating this action as a ritual to greet the new day; while others choose to do it after the workday, as a perfect ending to a busy day.

These two habits have triggered a discussion about hygiene and health: Should we wash the cups we use daily before starting work or after finishing work?

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The cup must be cleaned on the same day after use

According to a survey conducted by Sina Health Channel, among the 3,849 respondents, only 9.6% wash their cups after drinking, while 40.2% wash them once a day, 29.7% wash them every few days, and 20.5% wash them even less frequently.

In fact, the ideal practice is to clean the cup immediately after each use , especially in hot seasons or after the cup has contained perishable drinks such as milk or fresh juice. Immediate cleaning can prevent food residues from spoiling or breeding bacteria.

Many people tend to wash their cups in the morning, given the possibility of insects coming into contact with them at night. Discussions on social media about insects such as rove beetles and cockroaches getting into cups have also added to this concern.

To avoid these problems, try washing your cup before leaving work and placing it upside down on a clean paper towel so it can be easily rinsed and used the next morning.

Overnight cups are a breeding ground for bacteria. The remaining water in the cup will keep the cup moist for a long time. This environment is easy to cultivate mold and other bacteria, which may pose a threat to health. Special attention should be paid to sports water cups, such as cups with squeeze-type, spiral-type and sliding-type bottle mouths . These designs are easy to harbor dirt and make it more difficult to remove Gram-negative bacteria. When using, bacteria may also enter the body with water.

Making cup cleaning a habit when leaving get off work not only helps relieve stress, but is also a simple and effective way to maintain health. The next morning when you see a clean cup and pour fresh water into it, it will also bring a happy mood to the new day.

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How to clean cups effectively?

In order to effectively clean the cup, you can use warm water for preliminary cleaning, and then rinse thoroughly with clean water. If the cup has stubborn dirt or odor, it is recommended to use a special cup cleaner.

1

Soda Cleansing

Baking soda works very well as a cleaning agent. Simply dissolve baking soda in warm water, scrub the cup with the solution, and then rinse with clean water to remove any residue. For stubborn stains or persistent odors, sprinkle baking soda directly into the cup and rinse with warm water to remove them.

2

Vinegar Cleaning Method

White vinegar can not only remove odors but also disinfect, and is effective against cups with odor or bacteria. Mix white vinegar and warm water in proportion, and use this mixture to scrub the cup, especially the bottom and mouth of the cup, which are easy to overlook, to ensure the overall cleanliness of the cup. Finally, rinse with clean water to ensure that there is no residue on the cup.

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How to store clean cups?

Cleaned cups should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated place. Humid environments increase the chance of bacterial growth and should be avoided as much as possible. Overlapping cups may cause deformation or scratches, and may also become a hidden danger for bacterial growth. Damaged cups are easy to hide dirt and are difficult to clean and disinfect, so damaged cups should be avoided. The best practice is to separate cups on a shelf or in a cabinet to avoid breakage.

Direct sunlight may cause the cup to fade, deform or crack. Therefore, it should be stored away from direct sunlight . Even if the cup is not used frequently, it should be cleaned regularly to prevent bacteria accumulation. It is recommended to clean the cup thoroughly with warm water and detergent every certain period of time.

In addition, the cups should be isolated from other items, especially chemical cleaners, detergents, grease, etc. in the kitchen to prevent them from contaminating or damaging the cups.

References

[1] People’s Daily Online: Stop drinking water from this kind of cup! It’s bad for your health.

[2] Yang Chao. (2023). The selection of cups is important. Hunan Agriculture (03), 52-53.

[3] Yuehe Platform. [Reminder] How often do you wash your cup? To reduce the risk of bacterial infection, you need to do this →

[4] Xinhua News Agency. If you don’t wash your water cup, the bacteria will increase by 100 times! Do you know the correct way to clean a water cup?

[5] China News Weekly. Is it healthier to wash cups before or after get off work?

[6] Which cup is the healthiest for office workers to drink water? Heilongjiang Science (08), 132.

Planning and production

Author: Dr. Chen Qiao Microbiology

Reviewer: Zhang Yu, Researcher at Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Planning丨Zhong Yanping

Editor: Zhong Yanping