Suction cup sponge holder keeps sippy cup parts from going down the drain

Here's how Allison keeps the sippy cup parts from going into the disposal:

If sippy cups filled with milk sit in the sink, the milk spoils and it makes the whole cup and all the parts (valve, straw, etc.) smell bad. I've tried taking the cups apart and rinsing all the pieces and leaving them in the sink until I did the dishes, but I was afraid I would lose or accidentally throw away the small pieces. So I bought a plastic basket with suction cups on it (made for sponges) in the plumbing/bathroom section at Wal-Mart and after I rinse the parts I set them in the basket until I am ready to do dishes. The basket cost about $4.

Allie just emailed me to add:

The cleaning brushes made for Dr. Brown's baby bottles are perfect for cleaning inside sippy cup parts.

Related: Clean sippy cup straws with pipe cleaners

Comments

[Julie]

This is a brilliant, easy, and cheap solution to a an everyday problem I face! Thanks so much for the hack!

[Annette]

Great thinking! This would also work well for teeny-tiny breast-pump parts.

[RLR]

Another small-part tip - I use denture cleaner to get the gunk out of the tiny places. It works great, saves you any scrubbing, and you can opt to not put them into the dishwasher - just air dry and they are ready to go again.

[Monica]

Those cleaning brushes from the Dr Brown's bottles are great for cleaning the Sigg and Klean Kanteen bottle tops, too.

[Doll Clothes Gal]

This is a great idea. I think this'll helpkeep the sponge cleaner for longer - there is nothing worse for germs than a dirty sponge.

[Allison]

This is one of my favorite blogs, and to have my hack chosen is awesome!! Thanks so much!!

[flynn]

To keep track of the drying Dr. Brown's brushes, stick a round magnet on the fridge (the kind you get in tubs at office supply stores), wrap one end of a firmish wire in a circle around the neck of the magnet, and bend the other end into a hook. A clippy magnet would also work.

[Leanne]

Great idea! I have found for those smelly cup or bottle parts that sat just a little too long, if you boil them, the smell goes away!!