Dishwasher-Safe Water Bottle Lids: What "Top-Rack Safe" Means and How to Wash Yours

Quick answer: "Top-rack safe" means the lid can go through a normal dishwasher cycle as long as it sits on the upper rack, away from the heating element at the bottom of the tub. The NuRich Loop Lid is listed as dishwasher safe on the top rack, so you can load it with your glasses and mugs, then let it dry fully before you twist it back on.

What "top-rack safe" actually means

Most home dishwashers heat water and air from the bottom of the tub. The lower rack sits closest to that heat, and the upper rack sits farther away. That is why plastic and rubber parts, like water bottle lids, are usually labeled "top-rack safe" instead of just "dishwasher safe": the label tells you where in the machine the part belongs.

So the label is a placement rule, not a promise that the lid can go anywhere in the machine. If a lid says top rack, keep it on the top rack every time.

Is the NuRich Loop Lid dishwasher safe?

Yes. The Loop Lid listing says it can be washed on the top rack of a dishwasher. Here is what else the listing says about the lid, so you know what you are washing:

• Material: BPA-free and toxin-free, with a rubber coating on the outside.
• Seal: a rubber gasket stopper inside the lid guards against leaks.
• Fit: wide mouth bottles with a 2.28 in neck, 12 to 64 oz. It fits Hydro Flask, Nalgene and most wide-mouth bottles.
• Price: $9.99.

The NuRich Gray Flip and Sip Straw Lid carries the same top-rack dishwasher-safe line on its listing, if you prefer a straw for sipping during the day.

How to wash your lid in the dishwasher, step by step

1. Rinse it first. Run the lid under the tap to clear out drink residue, especially if it held coffee, juice or a sports drink.
2. Open everything that opens. Flip open the chug cap so water can reach the spout and the underside of the cap.
3. Load it on the top rack. Set the lid between the tines. If it stays steady with the opening facing down, load it that way so water drains out instead of pooling inside.
4. Keep it from flipping. Tuck it next to a glass or a mug so the spray arm doesn't knock it into the bottom of the machine.
5. Let it dry all the way. When the cycle ends, shake out any water and let the lid air-dry, opening down, before you put it back on your bottle.

How to wash it by hand (when the dishwasher is full)

1. Fill the sink or a bowl with warm water and a drop of dish soap.
2. Wash the top, the chug spout, the carry loop and the inside of the lid with a soft sponge.
3. Pay attention to the rubber gasket inside the lid and the threads around it. That ring is where drink residue likes to sit.
4. Rinse with clean water until no soap is left.
5. Air-dry with the lid opening down and the cap open.

Hand washing works just as well for a daily rinse. The dishwasher is handy when you want to wash the lid with the rest of the dishes.

Lid vs. bottle: they are not the same

A lid being top-rack safe doesn't mean the bottle is. Insulated stainless steel bottles are a different product with a different finish, so always check the care line for the bottle itself. We cover the bottle side in Dishwasher or Hand Wash? How to Clean an Insulated Bottle Without Ruining It.

Common mistakes that cause problems

• Lid on the bottom rack. That's the spot the label is telling you to avoid.
• Putting the lid back on while it's still wet. Trapped water around the gasket is how lids start to smell.
• Skipping the gasket check. If a lid starts to drip after washing, check that the gasket is seated flat and the lid is twisted on straight. Our post Why Is My Water Bottle Lid Leaking? 5 Things to Check walks through it.

Shop the lid

The NuRich Loop Lid is a wide mouth replacement lid with a chug spout and a carry loop, top-rack dishwasher safe, for 2.28 in necks. If you want to compare it with other chug lids first, read Best Chug Lid for a Wide Mouth Water Bottle.

FAQ

Can water bottle lids go in the dishwasher?

Many can, but check the label. A lid marked "top-rack safe" should go on the upper rack only. The NuRich Loop Lid and the NuRich Gray Flip and Sip Straw Lid are both listed as top-rack dishwasher safe.

What happens if you put a top-rack-safe lid on the bottom rack?

The bottom rack sits closer to the heating element in most dishwashers. The top-rack label tells you to keep the lid away from that spot, so follow it every time.

Should I take the gasket out before washing?

Check the instructions that came with your lid. Either way, look at the gasket after washing and make sure it sits flat in its groove before you twist the lid back on.

How often should I wash my water bottle lid?

A quick rinse after each use and a full wash (dishwasher or by hand) whenever you wash the bottle is a simple habit to keep. Wash it right away if it held anything besides water.

Is the bottle dishwasher safe too?

Not necessarily. The care line for a lid and for a bottle can be different, so check the bottle's own instructions.

Written by the NuRich team in Winder, GA. We cite primary sources and only state what's on our product listings.
The NuRich team · Clean water for everyone.

Source: NuRich Loop Lid product listing (dishwasher safe on the top rack, BPA-free, rubber gasket stopper, 2.28 in neck).