Quick answer

Fill your S'well bottle, mug or canister with warm water, drop in one S'well Cleaning Tablet, and let it dissolve and work for the time noted on the packaging. Then pour out the solution and rinse thoroughly with clean water. That's the whole routine — the tablet does the scrubbing so you don't have to.

Why tablets beat a bottle brush for everyday upkeep

A brush reaches the walls but struggles with the shoulder, the threads and the base seam where residue collects. A dissolving tablet reaches all of those surfaces at once. Because S'well Cleaning Tablets are formulated for S'well products, they clean without damaging the finish — which matters on powder-coated or printed exteriors you'd rather not scratch. Use them as your regular maintenance clean, and keep a brush for visible debris.

What you need before you start

One S'well Cleaning Tablet per vessel, warm water, and a clean sink or basin. If your bottle has a straw or lid with small crevices, have a soft brush or the straw covers on hand for the parts the tablet can't reach. Don't add dish soap on top of the tablet — you'll just create extra rinsing work.

How to handle stubborn stains and odors

For a bottle that's held coffee, tea or a protein shake, one tablet may not be enough. Repeat the cycle rather than doubling the tablet — two tablets in one fill won't dissolve faster and can leave residue. If odor lingers after two cycles, the smell is usually in the lid gasket, not the body. Soak the lid separately and scrub the gasket with warm water. For a mug that's only held coffee, a single tablet after each few uses keeps staining from building up in the first place.

Step-by-step: using S'well Cleaning Tablets

  1. Fill with warm water: Fill your S'well bottle, mug or canister to about three-quarters full with warm — not boiling — water. Hot water can be uncomfortable to handle and isn't needed for the tablet to work. Checkpoint: leave room at the top so the tablet can fizz without overflowing.
  2. Drop in one tablet: Place a single S'well Cleaning Tablet into the water and let it dissolve. Don't seal the lid immediately — the dissolving action releases gas, and a sealed vessel will build pressure. Common mistake: closing the lid right away. Leave it open or loosely covered.
  3. Let it work: Leave the solution in the vessel for the contact time printed on the tablet packaging. This is the step people rush — the tablet needs time to break down residue on the walls and base. Checkpoint: set a timer rather than guessing.
  4. Pour out and rinse: Empty the solution and rinse the inside thoroughly with clean water. Rinse until no slippery feel or tablet scent remains. Common mistake: skipping the rinse because the bottle looks clean.
  5. Clean the lid and straw separately: Remove the lid, gasket and any straw or straw cover. Rinse them under warm water and use a soft brush on the slide mechanism and threads where residue hides. Checkpoint: if odor persists after cleaning, the lid — not the body — is usually the source.
  6. Air-dry completely: Stand the vessel upside down with the lid off so air circulates inside. Storing a damp bottle is the fastest way to bring back musty smells. Next step: repeat the tablet cycle every few weeks, or after any coffee, tea or smoothie.

Products that pair with this routine

  • Cleaning Tablets: S'well Cleaning Tablets are specifically formulated for S'well products to ensure thorough cleaning without damaging the finish, and come in a convenient tablet format. You can clean your insulated bottle, mug or canister without hunting for a specialty brush or worrying about the exterior coating.
  • Mug | 16oz: The S'well Mug 16oz has a splash-proof Slide-Open Lid and a handle that fits most cup holders. The lid's slide mechanism is the part most likely to trap coffee residue, so remove and rinse it alongside your tablet cycle.
  • Tumbler XL Straw Cover Set: The Tumbler XL Straw Cover Set includes straw covers in Pastel and Multicolor options, and is easy to attach and remove for cleaning. If you use a straw with your tumbler, pop the cover off before cleaning so the tablet solution can reach the straw itself.