Are RTIC Tumblers And Lids Dishwasher Safe? (Find Out Now!)

Whether you’re working from home or at the office, you will need some drinks to keep your energy levels up. Getting a personal tumbler is a great idea. Products such as RTIC tumblers even have special features that make them ideal for holding your favorite beverages.

Of course, just as with any item you’re using regularly, you have to be mindful of cleaning the RTIC tumbler. So, how exactly do you go about doing that?

According to the manufacturer, RTIC tumblers are NOT dishwasher safe. Since the dishwasher can destroy the vacuum seal of the cup, RTIC tumblers are hand wash only. The lids, however, are dishwasher safe, but should be placed on the top rack only. In addition to frequent hand washing, your RTIC tumblers should also be occasionally deep cleaned.

Your RTIC tumbler must be properly maintained if you want to get the most out of it. Learn how to take good care of your RTIC tumbler by continuing with the rest of this article.

Temperature matters a great deal when it comes to beverages. Certain drinks have to be at the ideal temperature in order to be fully enjoyed. After all, a lot of people like hot coffee, others prefer iced coffee, but no one really enjoys lukewarm coffee.

What makes RTIC tumblers special is their ability to maintain the desired temperature. Pour a warm beverage inside and it will stay that way for a while. That will save you from having to make frequent trips to the coffee maker. RTIC tumblers also excel when they’re used to contain cold beverages. The manufacturers state that the tumblers can even hold ice for up to 24 hours.

On top of that, the RTIC tumbler is also designed not to produce sweat. The sides and even the bottom of the tumbler will not form moisture while it’s in use. You can use it without a coaster if you prefer.

That excellent temperature retention and the sweat-controlling capabilities are made possible by the RTIC tumbler’s design. The double-wall vacuum insulation is responsible for maintaining the temperature of the tumbler’s contents. Without it, your RTIC tumbler would work just like a normal water bottle.

The double-wall vacuum insulation also prevents the temperature of the beverage from affecting the exterior of the tumbler. It allows you to comfortably hold the tumbler regardless of how hot or cold its contents are.

Now that we know more about RTIC tumblers, it’s time to answer an important question. Can you put your RTIC tumbler in the dishwasher? While it would be convenient to have a dishwasher-safe RTIC tumbler, that is sadly not the case.

RTIC tumblers state on their website, as well as on the variety of retailers that you can purchase their products from:

“DO NOT place in the dishwasher. Hand wash only. Wash thoroughly before initial use.”

In fact, pretty much every brand of double walled vacuum sealed tumblers out there advises against dishwasher use. Though, there is one exception, as Yeti tumblers are known to be dishwasher safe.

The feature that makes the RTIC tumbler such a useful item is also what makes it unsafe for the dishwasher. If you put your RTIC tumbler through a dishwasher cycle, there’s a high chance that its vacuum insulation will be compromised. The vacuum insulation may get damaged and that will take away the tumbler’s temperature retention. In other words, the tumbler will no longer be able to insulate your beverages properly.

There is also a chance that the RTIC tumbler could emerge from a dishwasher cycle intact. While there are many people on the internet who claim to have put their RTIC tumbler in the dishwasher and had no issues, the risk of it sustaining significant damage is real. Unless you’re not super concerned about having to purchase a new tumbler, you’re better off skipping the dishwasher cycle.

Believe it or not, RTIC tumblers come with a 90 day limited warranty. This warranty is exclusive, meaning there are no other warranties that extend beyond the 90 days. It is valid from the original retail purchaser, is not transferable, and only applies if you purchased the product directly from RTIC, on their website, or on Amazon from RTIC as the seller.

However, does this warranty cover loss of vacuum seal caused by placing the tumbler in the dishwasher? RTIC states that, “failure to follow recommended care and use instructions will not be covered by the warranty.” Given the fact that they clearly state not to put their tumblers in the dishwasher, you’d be voiding your warranty by doing so.

While it may be difficult for the company to determine that the damage was caused by the dishwasher, the warranty is so short that by the time you file your claim it’s unlikely that you’ll even receive your replacement. Even if you are lucky enough to still be within the warranty period, RTIC requires that you pay for return shipping costs, which is likely close to what the cup is worth retail.

So, in other words, you’re better off just buying a new tumbler instead of trying to get a replacement from RTIC.

If you’re deep cleaning your RTIC tumbler, you will have to use the baking soda. Grab a small bowl and put some baking soda in it. Follow that by adding water.

Your goal is to create a paste using baking soda and water so add the latter slowly. Stop adding water after you’ve achieved the right consistency. After creating the paste, dip your bottle brush in it. Next, use that brush to scrub the inside of the tumbler.

Target any stains inside the tumbler with the bottle brush. Make sure you rinse out the tumbler thoroughly to clear out the baking soda paste.

Squeeze some dish soap inside the tumbler and then use your bottle brush to clean up. Get a good lather and don’t forget to reach into every corner of the tumbler.

The exterior of the tumbler needs to be cleaned as well. You can do that by putting some dish soap on a microfiber cloth and using that to wipe the outside clean. If you didn’t place the lid inside the dishwasher, you can work on cleaning it now. Use the smaller bottle brushes to clean up every part of the lid.

Once you’re done washing the tumbler and the lid, you can rinse it with water. Rinse it a few times to ensure there are no more traces of the dish soap remaining.

Related Questions

Are There Other Restrictions on Using RTIC Tumblers?

Yes, there are other actions that the manufacturers caution against if you’re using an RTIC tumbler. They specifically urge tumbler owners to avoid placing the item inside the freezer or in the microwave. Doing either of those things can damage your RTIC tumbler.There is also no real need to handle your RTIC tumbler that way. Because of the way the tumbler retains temperature, relying on a freezer or microwave is not necessary.

Why Is My RTIC Tumbler No Longer Keeping Its Contents at the Right Temperature?

You may have noticed that your RTIC tumbler is no longer holding the temperature of its contents consistently. That kind of thing can happen if the tumbler is damaged.The brim may be damaged and that can cause the external temperature to affect the contents of the tumbler. A broken lid can also be problematic as it will expose the tumbler’s contents to the air. Hopefully, the damage is only to the lid because it’s cheaper to purchase a replacement for that.