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Many people keep using an insulated tumbler for years, long after it has picked up scratches and chips. Reusable insulated drinkware is a good way to stay hydrated and cut down on plastic waste, but we wanted to know whether worn coating from an older tumbler could end up in a drink and pose a health risk if swallowed.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab has evaluated hundreds of tumblers, water bottles, and travel mugs for quality and safety. As a contributing analyst with a cabinet full of well-used tumblers, I spoke with Noah Pinsonnault, a reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, and Joshua King, medical director of the Maryland Poison Center and a member of the American College of Medical Toxicology, to find out what matters most.
Can you still use an older insulated tumbler?
Most insulated tumblers and water bottles are made from double-walled stainless steel with a colored powder-coated exterior. Some brands, including Stanley, use a lead pellet in the base to seal the vacuum insulation, with a layer of stainless steel keeping it away from your drink.
If small particles from the finish were swallowed, they would likely not be a major concern, King says. “These are polymers that, at worst, would be as toxic as drinking from a plastic water bottle—i.e., not very—should they get into the tumbler,” he explains, “and I would expect they would be unlikely to do so.”
The lead pellet could become a health concern if the tumbler is severely damaged. “It would take pretty substantial injury to the water bottle, like if it was crushed, to really release that solder,” says King. “Then you could possibly get toxicity from the lead, but I've never seen that. There's never been any reported cases of it.”
When it’s time to replace an insulated tumbler
Small scratches or dents are not automatically a problem, but Pinsonnault says there are a few warning signs that indicate an old tumbler should be replaced.
- Corrosion
- Cracks
- Deteriorating seals
- Persistent odors that don’t go away after thorough cleaning
How long should an insulated tumbler last?
There is no set expiration date for insulated tumblers. “Stainless steel can last many years with proper care, so I'd judge them by their condition rather than their age,” says Pinsonnault. Because the exterior finish can wear down over time, you may prefer an uncoated tumbler if you want it to keep looking like new.
How to throw away an insulated tumbler
Stainless steel is technically recyclable, but mixed materials make disposal less straightforward, Pinsonnault says. Before placing one in curbside recycling, confirm which materials your local recycling program accepts, or take it to a metal recycling center in your area. Another option is to see whether the manufacturer offers a take-back program. Both YETI and Stanley offer a $5 incentive for eligible drinkware.
The bottom line: scratches are unsightly, not dangerous
The scratched coating on an old tumbler may not look great, but it is not considered unsafe. You can keep using it as long as there is no major damage to the body or the base, where some manufacturers place the vacuum-sealing lead pellet.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Mark Marino is a writer, food editor, and product tester with more than seven years of experience in digital food media. He has tested insulated tumblers and water bottles from most major brands. He has also written about food safety since becoming a contributing analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab.
Mark Marino
Kitchen & Cooking Lab Contributing Analyst and Writer
Mark Marino (he/him) is a contributing writer and analyst in the Kitchen & Cooking Lab, where he tests and writes about kitchen and food products. Previously, he was the executive commerce director at Apartment Therapy Media, where he oversaw the testing of home and kitchen products—including small appliances, cookware, and tools—for both Apartment Therapy and The Kitchn. He has also written about food and other lifestyle topics for national media outlets such as Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, Parade Home & Garden, Yahoo!, and Business Insider.
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