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Original poster

How To Disinfect Top Of Red Bull or Soda Can If Cashier Touched It?

133 replies

Ronnym · 06/10/2025 20:14

I use the self check out option for checking out. When I did this a while back, I had an issue with it. The person that was there then carried a few of my red bull bottles and put it in another area. It wasn't a cashier but someone helping out with the self checkout a while back. When he did this, he literally grabbed each of the bottles by the top part where you drink from and I was upset by it. Normally you aren't suppose to do that and grab it by the side.

Now when I drink Red Bull or any can, I typically rinse the top of it with water. Then drink from it. However, this bothered me a lot. The thing is I recently starting drinking with a straw because of this for my other cans after rinsing the top with some cold water. However, the issue here is even if I do that and use a straw, the part where you push to open the can, will touch the Red Bull even if I use a straw.

How do I disinfect the top part of the can safely so I can drink from it? I thought about boiling some hot water and pouring it on a paper towel. Then typing the top area of the can with the paper towel. Would that work or is that bad? I know the top of cans are generally disgusting and you should wipe it or rinse it with water. But since this person grabbed the cans right in the middle of it, I want to have it fully clean before I drink from it. I will use a straw but the issue is I don't think I can open the can in a way where that part you open doesn't touch a part of the Red Bull?

OP posts:
Frequency · 07/10/2025 00:47

You can buy bottles of caffeine drinks, usually own-brand ones, but they taste just as artificial as Red Bull, and they're much cheaper. You need a bank loan to buy Red Bull these days.

Relentless does a can that twists open rather than the usual push-open opening. And Coke has now started selling cans with bottle-top lids.

However, as many have pointed out, this attitude is not healthy, OP. Please see your GP. You deserve some peace. I cannot imagine how exhausting it must be to live with this level of anxiety.

ilovesooty · 07/10/2025 01:06

LaminatedLou · 06/10/2025 20:18

Loads of people have touched them, probs a rat or two ran over the top in the warehouse, I wouldn’t even think about it

I was just thinking the same.

SnowFrogJelly · 07/10/2025 01:10

Don’t drink it.. Red Bull is v unhealthy anyway

SouthernNights59 · 07/10/2025 01:43

Ronnym · 06/10/2025 21:00

Yea I'm not sure why everyone thinks this isn't a big deal. Let say you bought a can of coke or energy drink or Starbucks can drink. Let say it dropped on the sidewalk and the top part of it clearly touched the sidewalk. Are most of you just going to drink it like that? I wouldn't even want to drink it even with a straw because when you open the can, that part of the can that goes down when you open it will touch a bit of the drink.

The person that said pour it into a can or cup. The issue is when I open the can, it seems the liquid will touch the part that is opened or the drinking area of it. It's not like how you open a 2 liter bottle of soda and then open the cap and then put it into another cup. So I wanted the know what is the best way to disinfect and sanitize the top part of the can. The thing is I normally just pour cold water over it and that's all. But because this happened in front of me, that bothered me a lot. I thought why did he had to carry the cans that way. I read online and some people are annoyed when this happens at the grocery store as well. I'm surprised more people here are not bothered by it as I thought.

Yes, I would drink it if it dropped on the sidewalk and the top part of it clearly touched the sidewalk. I couldn't care less about that sort of thing and somehow I've made it to 66 in excellent health.

Your anxiety should be far more concerning than someone touching the top of the can.

suburberphobe · 07/10/2025 02:07

How do you get through life OP?

Original poster
Ronnym · 07/10/2025 07:30

Catwoman8 · 06/10/2025 21:31

Health anxiety and OCD are not the same, they are distinct conditions. I would strongly suggest cognitive behavioural therapy , you can self refer yourself and it can work very well , certainly did for me.

To answer your question, I wipe down a can just because of the conditions of warehouses, but if someone grapped a can that wouldnt bother me like it has in the same way for you.

I mentioned that I don't drink a lot of Red Bull. I drink it on occasion. This could be a soda can as well.

I'm surprised very few people are bothered by this. I would have thought a good amount of people would be somewhat bothered.

OP posts:
Owly11 · 07/10/2025 07:44

You sound like you have OCD. Have you thought about getting some therapy?

KickHimInTheCrotch · 07/10/2025 07:54

Ronnym · 07/10/2025 07:30

I mentioned that I don't drink a lot of Red Bull. I drink it on occasion. This could be a soda can as well.

I'm surprised very few people are bothered by this. I would have thought a good amount of people would be somewhat bothered.

Show quote history

I think people are picking upon the red bull aspect because its not a healthy drink at all but chosing an unhealthy option is different to being germ phobic so you can ignore it.

Presumably its not just canned drinks that lead you to worry about germs? Do you eat out in restaurants, take aways or other peoples houses? How do you cope with germs in other aspects of your life? Presumably you dont have kids because they are covered in germs all day long.

Floundering66 · 07/10/2025 07:58

My uncle used to work for a drinks company and NEVER drinks out of a can or bottle - he said they get touched by so many hands throughout the distribution chain and then are stored in warehouses/ Lorrie’s etc rats and mice live - the drink inside is clean but the outside is not. This was decades ago so I’m sure things have changed but if it bothers you, pour your drink into a glass.

Floundering66 · 07/10/2025 08:02

if you can’t get past this, buy some Milton cold water steriliser. It’s used for sterilising baby bottles, you just dissolve one tablet in cold water and leave the items to soak for 15 minutes. Kills 99.9% of bacteria and safe to drink from.

Original poster
Ronnym · 07/10/2025 08:03

I have had OCD forever. I always have been a bit of a germaphobe.

Yes I am talking about canned drinks. I am not concerned about a drink that is in a bottle where I have to open the cap.

I haven't eaten in restaurants in quite a while. Back then this never bothered me. Yes I know lot of things get on the cans. Now say you buy a pack of 12 cans or something like that. That to me is different since the cans aren't right there. Yea the thing is I don't think I can open the Red Bull can in a way where it doesn't touch the outer part of the top part somehow.

OP posts:
Talipesmum · 07/10/2025 08:18

Wash it, rinse it clean (so no soap) and dry it. Then it’s clean.

Musicaltheatremum · 07/10/2025 08:19

@Ronnym put the cans in the sink. Pour some boiled water over the tops (let it cool a little first) then dry the cans. But please get help with your anxiety.

Miyagi99 · 07/10/2025 08:20

Ronnym · 06/10/2025 21:25

I never tried any medication for this ever. I had OCD forever but it was much worst a while back.

The thing is I don't drink Red Bull a lot as people here make it sound to be. I drink it occasionally. The thing is this example would be the same if it was say a soda can or Starbucks can. It's a can.

I am shocked people would drink out of a can that dropped on the sidewalk where the top of it touched the sidewalk. Most of you would do that without even pouring some water over it or wiping it? You telling me if it dropped on a puddle of water on the sidewalk as well... that wouldn't bother you? Surely that has to bother almost all of you right?

Edited

A puddle to me is actually preferable to the pavement as it’s mainly rain water, not dog poo, chewing gum etc.

HeadsWinTailsLose · 07/10/2025 08:28

PrioritisePleasure24 · 06/10/2025 20:29

I’d be concerned about drinking the crap that’s inside the red can tbh. Overthinking massively.

Hit the nail on the head!

mamagogo1 · 07/10/2025 08:31

the answer to what would I do if I dropped the can, let’s go all out and say it was a muddy track, I would wipe visible dirt off the can with a tissue and drink it. Cleaner surfaces like a pavement, it’s simply wipe with the edge of my skirt or top then drink.

i am concerned that your consumption of caffeine could cause be an issue, your examples are all loaded with and caffeine doesn’t help anxiety. Try switching to water ideally or at least a caffeine free drink like Fanta lemon (my personal favourite, better than even wine!) Red bull is horrible as are those energy drinks and coffee in a can, why? I drink caffeine free Diet Coke occasionally (as in a couple of times a year as I like it with southern comfort

CheeseWisely · 07/10/2025 08:46

If I were to drop a can on the pavement I’d pick it up, wipe off any visible dirt with a tissue or my hand and then drink from it.

There are far worse things INSIDE a Red Bull, Coke or Starbucks can than a speck of a germ on the outside.

FusionChefGeoff · 07/10/2025 09:18

Do you recognise that this is anxiety and OCD? Do you see that this is not a normal way to react and you need some help?

AutumnWreath · 07/10/2025 09:25

Don't turn into my MIL who wont buy a bakery item from a bakers because someone has touched it , won't eat a shop brought sandwich , won't eat out in a restaurant / cafe . Won't buy an uncut loaf not would visit a food fayre/ artisan food market etc .
Her life is blighted by it .

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 07/10/2025 09:29

You're going to have more damage from what's in the red bull than what's on the can

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 07/10/2025 09:34

I think Mr. President would recommend bleach.

sashh · 07/10/2025 09:41

Get a washing up bowl, fill with hot water with a generous glug of washing up liquid.

Leave the cans for 10 mins.

Wipe over with a sponge using the soapy water.

This is almost exactly how I clean my Contigo water bottle, except I also use a bottle brush.

Rinse the soap off and put the can in the fridge.

DiscoBob · 07/10/2025 09:43

If you boil water and put it on a paper towel, how do you know how many people have touched the paper towel? Or any of the millions of surfaces that you touch every day?

I guess put some sanitiser on it? But honestly you sound obsessed.

vickylou78 · 07/10/2025 09:48

Wipe it with an antibacterial wipe or Dettol wipe?

But honestly Op I think the can isn't the issue. Maybe speak with your doctor about your health anxiety. Most people wouldn't give this a second thought.

Kreepture · 07/10/2025 09:49

Ronnym · 06/10/2025 21:00

Yea I'm not sure why everyone thinks this isn't a big deal. Let say you bought a can of coke or energy drink or Starbucks can drink. Let say it dropped on the sidewalk and the top part of it clearly touched the sidewalk. Are most of you just going to drink it like that? I wouldn't even want to drink it even with a straw because when you open the can, that part of the can that goes down when you open it will touch a bit of the drink.

The person that said pour it into a can or cup. The issue is when I open the can, it seems the liquid will touch the part that is opened or the drinking area of it. It's not like how you open a 2 liter bottle of soda and then open the cap and then put it into another cup. So I wanted the know what is the best way to disinfect and sanitize the top part of the can. The thing is I normally just pour cold water over it and that's all. But because this happened in front of me, that bothered me a lot. I thought why did he had to carry the cans that way. I read online and some people are annoyed when this happens at the grocery store as well. I'm surprised more people here are not bothered by it as I thought.

if that happened, i'd just wipe it with my t-shirt.

There have been instances i've bought cans with takeaway orders where the top has been filthy.. so with those i clean them thoroughly with an antibac wipe, then rinse off and dry with a tissue.