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The History and Evolution of Straws

Every day, Americans use 500 million drinking straws, and the majority of them are single-use plastic versions (NPS.gov). Since plastic does not biodegrade, the seemingly innocent straw we get with our drinks can cause a lot of damage.

Until the environmental impact of plastic straws became widely known, you were rarely asked whether or not you would like to have a straw with your drink. To us, straws were just another utensil that we used without knowing that they have a fascinating history — and an equally interesting future.

When Were Straws Invented?

Over 5,000 years ago, ancient Mesopotamians fashioned drinking straws from a variety of materials including gold and wood. Unlike the straws we use today, they were extremely long and sturdy. Instead of being used for drinking from cups, they were designed for sitting on the floor and drinking beer from heavy, immovable vats. (NBCNews.com)

Other civilizations were found to utilize reeds and grasses as Mother Nature’s straws. However, the grassy taste and gritty particles left a lot to be desired.

Although they are still used in native teas, they were rarely used on what we might consider a conventional dinner table. That is — until the powerhouse known as the paper straw entered the picture.

The Invention of the Paper Straw

Who Invented The Straw?

In the late 1880s, a man by the name of Marvin Stone stepped away from designing cigarette holders and began experimenting with straws. His first prototypes involved wrapping and gluing paper around pencils, but he quickly found that the glue deteriorated in liquid. This caused the straws to not hold together, as well as the potential for a bad taste in your drink.

Not to be deterred, Stone then began to work with wax-coated manilla paper. With specifications that included that the hole is too small for a lemon seed to pass through, the ancient straw got a new design. By 1890, his factory was solely manufacturing his latest invention known as the paper drinking straw. (Invention.si.edu)

The Origins of Bendy Straws

The straw took another step in its evolution in 1932 when Joseph Friedman’s daughter had a unique issue. Although she enjoyed drinking from straws, they were often too tall for her to reach. With her needs in mind, he created a flexible straw that would allow sipping from any number of angles.

Despite booming contracts with hospitals that loved them for their patients, the paper versions of bendy straws were short-lived. The machinery needed to create commercial amounts of paper straws was not complete until 1947, plastic straws soon took over. 

Plastic - The Modern Drinking Straw

By the 1960s technology had made it easier to mass manufacture items made from plastic, including the drinking straw (National Geographic). Modern technology had made it easier to create different types of plastic drinking products like stirring sticks and cocktail skewers. In fact, one American company still makes over three hundred types of drinking utensils.

Despite efforts to reduce the number of plastic straws being used today, Americans still use over 500 million of them per day. Since the majority of them are not biodegradable, most end up in the earth’s waterways or lining landfills. (TRVST.org)

Environmental Impact of Drinking Straws

The drinking straw industry is currently a $3 billion per year market. Yet only one percent of all drinking straws sold are considered biodegradable or earth friendly. Staggering estimates say that the number of plastic straws in our waterways is close to eight billion.

A large number of them end up obstructing wildlife habitats and being ingested by the animals living there. Even more, problems are caused when the straws start to break down. Rather than biodegrading, plastic straws end up becoming smaller and smaller particles. Those particles further pollute the air, the soil, and the water — things that all life, even human life, needs to survive.

The Trend Back to Environmentally Conscious Straws

The “Be Straw Free” campaign began when a nine-year-old aspiring scientist discovered that over five school busses worth of straws were thrown out every day. As he began to ask businesses to get involved, the awareness began to spread. More and more restaurants and diners are opting to go without the straw or offering more eco-friendly options such as paper or plant-based straw alternatives.

There is no doubt that you have seen more and more alternative straws or reusable straws entering the market. Typically these include stainless steel straws or silicone straws, which can be used over and over again.

Additionally, many manufacturers, like beyondGREEN, have taken paper straws to a new level. With plant-based alternatives that naturally break down and you can have a more sustainable option.

The beyondGREEN Solution

beyondGREEN's Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) straws have all of the properties of traditional plastics, but without the environmental damaging side-affects. Made with Nodax PHA and manufactured and marketed in the USA. These straws are far superior to any other in the market. beyondGREEN PHA straws are the land & marine safe method to sip sustainably. 

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Cleaning the Bathroom

“We have put together these steps to clean the bathroom”

We are a professional house cleaning service in downtown Durham, North Carolina. Carpe Diem Cleaning is a woman-owned business, and our mission is to clean homes and apartments, so people have time to do the things they do with their people and pets. We know how to clean and stand by our practices because we have been cleaning hundreds of homes each year for almost thirty years.

Let’s begin with the question that is on everyone’s mind:

How Often Should You Clean Your Bathroom?

Industry standards indicate that weekly cleaning is needed, and deep cleaning is recommended once a month. Deep cleaning the bathroom would include cleaning the window sills, vents, and baseboards, wiping down the cabinets, and washing the floors. At a minimum, you should consider cleaning your sinks, toilet, and tub/shower at least once a week.

If that seems like a lot to you, you are not alone! Cleaning the bathroom is lonely and thankless unless your persnickety family member is visiting. So our professional advice is to contact a professional house cleaning company in your area and have them do the deep cleaning once a month. You will thank us for allowing you to take time to care for yourself.

Shhhhh, we are letting you in on our secret strategy for cleaning all rooms in your house.

Clean from top to bottom, inside to outside of the area, and left to right.

How to Deep Clean A Bathroom

1.- Gather all your cleaning supplies in a bucket and place them in the middle of the bathroom floor. Do not place directly on any carpeted areas unless there is a protective layer between the bucket and carpet. No one has time to address a spill from any cleaning products.

2.- Put on gloves.

3- Shake out the rugs in the bathroom area, so the dirt and debris fall to the floor. Then place the rug outside of the bathroom.

4.- Use an extendable duster to remove cobwebs, and clean overhead lights, window sills, and vents.

5.- Use a broom to sweep the floor.

6.- Remove loose containers and things from the tub/shower and counter areas. Counters and shower areas should be completely cleared of everything before you begin cleaning.

7.- Spray degreaser on shower/tile walls and put bleach gel and Comet in the toilet bowl. Let those sit for a couple of minutes. Cleaning products need time to activate for maximum effect of cleaning and disinfecting.

8.- Use a sponge with soapy water to clean faucets, sinks, and countertops. Scrub heartily to remove excessive build-up.

9.- Use peroxide and a microfiber cloth to clean the mirror.Check for streaks, globs of toothpaste, and stray hair. To find out why we love micro-fiber cloths read here.

10.- Use a damp cloth to wipe down all of the cabinet exteriors.

11.- That degreaser has done the job of cleaning! If there is excessive build-up, mold, or mildew, use bleach gel, comet, and water. If there is an extreme amount, use bleach as a last resort. Bleach is harmful to the environment, has a noxious smell, and many people are sensitive to it.

12.- Rinse all the shower walls with water. Cleaning the toilet: This should be completed as the last step. Scrub the bleaching gel and comet sitting in the bowl with a brush. Flush the dirty water. Use a cloth with soap and water to thoroughly clean the outside of the toilet. We scour the toilet last to not spread germs to the other areas in the bathroom. 

13.- DRY the entire bathroom. Dry off the faucets so they look dazzling. Dry the walls, the countertops, the light switch, and door handles, and lastly, dry off the toilet. Drying helps remove any drops of water that make it look like you didn’t clean.

14.- Clean the bathroom floor using vinegar and water, a microfiber cloth, and move inside the bathroom towards the outside/door.

We believe this so much we are going to repeat it. Call and schedule a professional cleaning service at least once a month to deep clean your house.  You are worth it, it is worth it, and you will never regret the peace of mind and time you will have.

Schedule a Cleaning

Commonly Asked Questions

How to Clean A Bathroom Floor

Cleaning a bathroom floor can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right supplies, it can be done quickly and easily. 

Cleaning your bathroom floor should be the last step you take after cleaning the rest of the bathroom and removing cobwebs from the corners. Once you’re ready to get started, here’s our advice. 

Shake and remove any rugs in your bathroom. Shaking them will remove any dirt or dust.

Sweep and/or vacuum the bathroom floor.

Using your cleaner of choice and a cleaning cloth, start from the inside corner and work your way to the doorway scrubbing the floor.

How to Clean A Bathroom Sink & Sink Drain

Build-up can occur on a bathroom sink or sink drain. Here’s our advice on how to easily remove buildup and have your sink sparkling in no time.

Use a cleaner that will get soapy to clean the sink.

Using a sponge or washcloth, scrub the sink and vanity.

If needed, use bleach for bad build-up, mold, or mildew.

Rinse the soapy water off of the surfaces and then dry.

Use a de-clogger for the drain if needed as well.