You know that moment when you finish your iced coffee (or maybe it’s sweet tea, or just ice water you’ve been refilling all day) and you look at your RTIC cup sitting there with condensation dripping down? It’s been through a lot today. And now you’re standing in front of the dishwasher wondering, “Hmm, can I just toss this bad boy in here and let it do the work?”
I mean, who wants to spend extra time hand washing when there’s a perfectly good machine sitting right there? Exactly. So, let’s figure this out together.
Wait, So Are RTIC Cups Actually Dishwasher Safe?
The short answer? Yes, most of them are. RTIC themselves say their cups are dishwasher safe, which is a relief. You can stick them in there, press start, and boom—clean cup. No drama.
But here’s the thing: just because you can doesn’t always mean you should. Kind of like how you can microwave leftover pizza in the box—doesn’t mean it’s the best idea.
The dishwasher uses super hot water, strong detergents, and lots of force to get everything clean. Over time, this can wear down certain parts of your cup, especially if it’s got a colored or powder-coated finish. That sleek paint job? It might start to fade or chip. And once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Imagine that beautiful matte navy cup slowly losing its color and ending up looking… let’s just say “well-loved.” Sure, it still works, but it’s not winning any beauty contests.
What Happens Inside the Dishwasher (That You Don’t See)
Here’s the not-so-pretty truth: dishwashers are intense. Think of it like a storm inside a metal box. Scalding water sprays everywhere, detergent goes to war with grease, and everything rattles around a bit.
That’s fine for plates and silverware, but your RTIC cup? It’s got a few things going on you might want to protect:
The vacuum seal that keeps your drink cold forever? Too much heat over time could mess with that.
The exterior coating? It doesn’t always love harsh detergents.
The lid? Oh, that’s a special case. Lids have little seals and nooks where water can get trapped, and sometimes you end up with a weird smell later if it doesn’t dry right. Ew.
So yeah, your cup will survive the dishwasher. But will it come out the same cup you bought a year ago? That’s debatable.
Why Hand Washing Isn’t As Bad As You Think
I know, I know. Hand washing feels like the “old school” way, and nobody’s got time for that. But with an RTIC cup, it’s literally a 30-second job.
Here’s what I do:
I rinse it out right after I finish my drink (so nothing dries and sticks).
A little warm water, a squirt of dish soap, and a soft sponge—done.
Rinse, towel dry, and it’s back on the counter ready for round two.
Easy. No special tools, no scrubbing forever. Plus, you’re giving your cup some TLC, and it’ll pay you back by lasting longer.
Pro Tips to Keep Your Cup Looking & Working Like New
Want your RTIC cup to last basically forever? Here are some quick do’s and don’ts:
✅ Let it air out after cleaning. Keeps it from getting that funky smell.
✅ Take the lid apart sometimes. Clean the gasket and hidden spots—trust me, stuff builds up there.
❌ Don’t use bleach or harsh scrubbers. They’ll destroy the finish faster than you think.
❌ Avoid leaving it in the dishwasher every single time. Once in a while? Fine. Daily? Not so great.
Think of it like your favorite pair of sneakers. You could toss them in the washer, but if you care about how they look, you’re gonna clean them by hand.
So… Should You or Shouldn’t You?
Here’s the bottom line: RTIC cups can go in the dishwasher, no problem. But if you want them to stay looking fresh and keep that vacuum seal in perfect shape, hand washing is the safer play.
You’ll probably thank yourself later when you realize your cup still looks brand new while your friend’s has faded spots and loose rubber seals.
Your Turn—What’s Your Move?
Do you baby your RTIC cup like it’s a prized possession, or do you toss it in the dishwasher and hope for the best? Got any cleaning hacks I didn’t mention?
Drop your tips, share your horror stories, or just tell me how long your cup’s lasted so far. Let’s swap secrets—because at the end of the day, we all just want our favorite cup to keep doing its thing for as long as possible.
