The Right Way to Wash Reusable Shot Cups in the Dishwasher (So They Come Out Looking New)

You run your reusable shot cups through the dishwasher, pull them out, and something's off. They're hazy. One's slightly warped. The stack doesn't sit flush anymore. So you figure the cups just weren't that good — and toss them after three parties.

The cups usually aren't the problem. The dishwasher cycle is.

BPA-free ABS plastic — the material used in quality reusable shot cups like the Red Cup Living 2oz Shooter — is genuinely dishwasher safe. But "dishwasher safe" doesn't mean "dishwasher-proof under any conditions." The wrong rack, the wrong heat setting, or the wrong detergent will degrade even a well-made cup over time. Here's what actually matters.

Top Rack Only — This One Is Non-Negotiable

The bottom rack of a dishwasher sits closest to the heating element. On most home machines, that element kicks up serious heat during the dry cycle — well above what the top rack ever sees. ABS plastic handles heat well within its range, but sustained direct heat from below will warp a small cup faster than almost anything else.

Shot cups are small and light, which makes this worse. They shift around, tip over, and end up sitting face-down directly above the heating element. Always top rack, always. And if your top rack has a fold-down tine section for smaller items, use it — it keeps the cups upright and stable so water can drain out instead of pooling inside.

Turn the Heat Dry Off

This is the single change that will extend the life of your reusable plastic cups the most. The heated dry cycle blasts hot air to speed up drying — and it's the phase most responsible for clouding and micro-warping in plastic drinkware.

Turn it off. Use the air-dry or energy-saver setting instead. Yes, you'll need to pull the cups out and let them air dry for a few minutes on a rack. That's a small trade for cups that stay clear and tight-fitting after dozens of washes.

If your machine doesn't have an air-dry option, just crack the dishwasher door open at the end of the wash cycle and let them cool down naturally before the dry heat kicks in.

Skip the High-Temp Sanitize Cycle

The sanitize setting runs water at a much higher temperature than a standard wash. It's great for baby bottles and cutting boards. It's overkill — and potentially damaging — for plastic shot cups that just had tequila in them.

A normal warm wash cycle cleans them thoroughly. If you're hosting a big party and want extra confidence, a quick rinse with warm soapy water before loading them in does more good than cranking the heat.

Watch Your Detergent

Harsh detergents — particularly those with strong bleaching agents or high-alkaline formulas — are a common culprit behind that milky, cloudy film that builds up on plastic over time. That cloudiness isn't mineral deposit (that's usually white and chalky); it's surface degradation from repeated chemical exposure.

Use a standard dishwasher detergent without added bleach. Pods work fine. If you're already seeing light cloudiness on your cups, a soak in white vinegar and warm water can help cut through it before the next wash.

Don't Overload the Rack Around Them

Shot cups are small enough that they get buried when you pack the top rack too tightly. When water can't reach all surfaces — and more importantly, when water can't drain — you get spots, residue, and cups that come out wetter than everything else. Give them a little breathing room. A few extra inches between the cups and the bowl next to them makes a real difference.

The Double-Wall Design Actually Helps Here

The Red Cup Living 2oz Shooter has a double-wall construction, which does two things relevant to washing: it keeps drinks colder in your hand, and it means there's a small air gap between the inner and outer walls. After a dishwasher cycle, make sure you shake any trapped water out from between the walls and let them sit open-side down on a drying rack. Water left sitting in that gap can leave mineral deposits over time.

How Often Should You Actually Wash Them?

After every use — obviously. But here's the part people skip: rinse them immediately after the party, before the residue dries. Dried sugary mixers and citrus-based shots leave sticky residue that's harder to clean and that your dishwasher has to work harder to break down. A quick rinse at the end of the night means a gentler wash cycle is all they need.

Treat them right and these cups will outlast a case of disposables many times over — which is the whole point of switching in the first place.

The Red Cup Living 2oz Shooter is built from BPA-free, phthalate-free ABS plastic, stackable for storage, and genuinely dishwasher safe when you follow the basics above. Grab a set that lasts — and actually wash them like they're worth keeping.