Titanium is one of the toughest materials you can drink from, but a few simple habits will keep it looking and tasting its best for a very long time.
Daily cleaning
Rinse with warm water right after use, especially after tea or coffee.
Use a soft sponge and a drop of mild dish soap.
Dry with a soft cloth or let it air-dry upside down.
Removing tea stains
Tea tannins can leave a light brown film over time. Fill the cup with warm water, add a teaspoon of baking soda, leave it for 20 minutes and rinse. For stubborn marks, a little white vinegar or citric acid diluted in warm water works well. Titanium is not damaged by these mild acids.
What to avoid
Steel wool and abrasive pads. They will not hurt the metal's strength, but they can wear away heat-tinted colors.
Bleach soaks. Unnecessary, and harsh on the silicone seals in the lid.
Dishwashers for colored cups. Detergent is abrasive and the heat cycles are hard on lids.
Direct flame with the lid on. The titanium can handle heat, but plastic and silicone lid parts cannot.
Caring for the lid and filter
Take the lid apart once a week. Wash the silicone seal separately and let all parts dry fully before reassembling, which prevents odors. Tap the titanium filter upside down to remove leaves, then rinse it under running water from the outside in.
Storage
Store the cup dry with the lid off or loosely placed. Trapped moisture is the main cause of musty smells in any bottle.
With this routine, a titanium cup can easily outlast years of daily commutes, office desks and travel.