Cleaning and Maintaining your LifeStraw Sip and Sip EssentialUpdated 3 hours ago

Check out YouTube for our full video series on the Sip and Sip Essential.

 This guide applies to both:

• LifeStraw Sip Stainless Steel
• LifeStraw Sip Essential

Both products should be used only for filtering water and should not be used to filter seawater, brackish water, or chemically contaminated water.

Before First Use

Sip Stainless Steel

1. Rinse the exterior of the straw with safe drinking water.
2. Place the end of the straw with the clear silicone plug into a container of water.
3. Begin drinking by sipping water through the colored silicone mouthpiece.
4. The first few sips may take more effort since the microfilter membranes need to fully hydrate.

Sip Essential

1. Rinse the exterior of the straw with safe drinking water.
2. Remove the bottom cap and open the top cap to expose the mouthpiece.
3. Place the bottom of the straw into your drinking vessel and begin drinking by sipping water through the silicone mouthpiece.
4. The first few sips may take more effort as the membrane microfilter becomes fully hydrated.

After Each Use

Sip Stainless Steel

After drinking, remove as much water as possible before placing the Sip into the carry case:

1. Blow air through the mouthpiece.
2. Gently shake the Sip until no additional water is expelled from the microfilter membranes.
3. Wipe the exterior of the straw dry.
4. Place the Sip back into the carry case.
5. Store the carry case with the Sip inside in a vertical position with the silicone cap facing upward.

Sip Essential

After drinking, remove as much water as possible before closing the caps:

1. Blow air through the mouthpiece.
2. Gently shake the Sip until no additional water is expelled from the microfilter membranes.
3. Close the bottom cap and top tethered cap fully.

Weekly Cleaning for Daily Use

Sip Stainless Steel

If used daily, once per week:

1. Remove the silicone mouthpiece and bottom plug.
2. Clean the silicone parts with soap and water.
3. Allow the silicone parts to fully dry before reassembly.
4. Store the straw in the carry case to help prevent unwanted odor buildup.

Sip Essential

If used daily, once per week:

1. Remove the silicone mouthpiece, bottom plug, and both caps.
2. Clean the parts with soap and water.
3. Allow all parts to fully dry before reassembly.
4. Store with the top and bottom caps closed.

Extra Hygiene Note for Sip Stainless Steel

If you remove the straw from the carry case and the silicone mouthpiece is wet, use a non scented antibacterial wipe to clean the mouthpiece and allow it to dry before use. This is recommended to help reduce the risk of recontamination.

Storage for Less Than 1 Month

Sip Stainless Steel

1. Blow air through the mouthpiece and gently shake the Sip to expel any water left in the microfilter membranes.
2. Do not drink the water blown back through the straw, as it could be contaminated.
3. Remove the silicone mouthpiece and bottom plug.
4. Wash the silicone parts and the carry case with soap and water, then set aside in a clean area to dry.
5. Rinse the Sip housing exterior with clean water.
6. Do not wash the straw or filter with soap.
7. Wipe the exterior of the straw dry.
8. Allow all silicone parts and the case to dry completely before reassembly.
9. Once reassembled, place the Sip in the carry case and close the cap.
10. Store the carry case and Sip vertically in a cool, clean environment.

Sip Essential

1. Blow air through the mouthpiece and gently shake the Sip to expel any water left in the microfilter membranes.
2. Do not drink the water expelled from the straw, as it is from the dirty water or inlet side and could be contaminated.
3. Remove the mouthpiece cap, silicone mouthpiece, silicone plug, and bottom cap.
4. Wash the caps and silicone parts with soap and water, then set aside in a clean area to dry completely.
5. Rinse the Sip housing exterior with clean water.
6. Do not wash the straw or filter with soap.
7. Wipe the exterior of the straw dry.
8. Allow all parts to dry completely before reassembly.
9. Store the Sip in a cool, clean environment.

Storage for Longer Than 1 Month

For both Sip products, the instructions recommend cleaning with a diluted bleach solution prior to storage for increased disinfection to help prevent mold or algae during storage. The instructions also state that long term storage instructions can be found at LifeStraw.com.

Storage Up to 6 Months

Detailed long term storage instructions were provided for Sip Essential:

1. Remove the caps and silicone parts.
   • Take out the mouthpiece cap, silicone mouthpiece, silicone plug, and bottom cap.
   • Wash gently with soap and water.
   • Set aside and allow to dry completely.
2. Disinfect.
   • Mix 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of household bleach with 4 cups (1L) of clean water.
   • Place the straw inside a non steel reusable container and fill with the diluted bleach solution, making sure the straw is completely immersed.
   • Close the container and allow it to sit for 20 minutes.
   • Empty the solution from the container.
   • Remove the straw and gently rinse it under clean tap water from the inlet side for 5 minutes.
   • Backwash by blowing air through the straw to remove any remaining chlorine.
3. Store long term in a saline solution.
   • Dissolve 2 teaspoons of salt in 1L safe water.
   • Place the straw inside a closeable, non steel reusable container.
   • Fill with the saline mixture so the straw is completely immersed, then close the container.
4. Store.
   • Store the container with the saline solution and straw in a cool, dry place.
   • Store the plastic caps and silicone parts, once dry, in a cool, dry place.
5. Resume use.
   • Remove the straw from the saline solution and rinse with clean water for about 1 minute.
   • Reassemble with the top and bottom caps and silicone parts.
   • Resume normal use when ready.
   • The first few sips may have a slight salty taste as the saline mixture is displaced from the membranes. This should resolve after the first couple of sips.
6. For storage longer than 6 months, repeat the disinfection with household bleach before reuse.

Important Care and Safety Notes

• Do not wash the straw or filter with soap.
• Do not drop or place pressure on the product in any manner.
• Do not use the product if the straw housing is cracked.
• Do not use or expose the product to extreme heat above 140°F / 60°C or freezing temperatures below 32°F / 0°C.
• Drinking untreated water may expose you to harmful microorganisms and increase your risk of gastrointestinal illness.

Quick Differences

• Sip Stainless Steel includes a carry case and should be stored vertically with the silicone cap facing upward.
• Sip Stainless Steel also includes an added hygiene note about using a non scented antibacterial wipe if the mouthpiece is wet.
• Sip Essential uses top and bottom caps instead of a carry case.
• Sip Essential includes detailed up to 6 month storage instructions with bleach and saline measurements.