Cleaning Coffee Mugs

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I also use this method to "break in" a new coffee mug because to me every new mug has that "new mug smell" that can detract from the smell of the coffee. The new smell eventually goes away but I've found this simple method works overnight.

Before I get into the cleaning method let me offer the best advice of all about preventing odors... don't let coffee sit in your coffee mug for extended periods of time. Take a minute to rinse it out. If you're commuting take the mug into work and rinse it rather than letting it sit in your car all day.

• Remove the lid from your BRUGO Mug and fill it to the brim... including the cooling chamber... with filtered water. I use filtered water because I don't want to take a chance of introducing the chlorine smell from tap water. Requiring filtered water may be going a little bit overboard but it's what I do and it works.
• Pour the water into a pot... put in on the stove... and bring the water to a boil.
• Place your mug... with the top off... in the kitchen sink and put about two tablespoons of baking soda in the mug.
• Pour the boiling water into the mug. Important: The reason you put the mug in the sink is because the baking soda will fizz up when the boiling water hits it.
• Leave the mug in the sink and carefully screw the top back on the mug... being careful not to spill the hot water on yourself... and let it sit over night.
• Rinse it out thoroughly the next morning. Inspect it to make sure there is no residual baking soda in the mug. You shouldn't have an odor problem. If you think you still do repeat the process.

I've read where some people make a paste of baking soda and water and scrubbing the gaskets and plastic parts with a small brush. If there is a lot of build-up this will help because the paste is abrasive. Rinse your cup regularly and you can probably avoid this step. if you can take the mug apart you should do so you can reach all the nooks and crannies where there can be a residue build-up.

Do not use bleach around anything you use to serve or prepare food. Some people do use dishwashing detergent which does include a form of bleach which let's hope is safe to use. But then the problem is that your cup smells like the dishwashing detergent.