Copper Cups, Copper Doorknobs, and Why Everyone’s Suddenly Obsessed

Written By Michele Gargiulo

I never thought I’d care much about doorknobs. I mean…they’re doorknobs. You touch them and twist, they open stuff, end of story, right?

WRONG.

Apparently, hospitals are quietly swapping out regular steel doorknobs for copper ones, and it’s not just a cool design trend. Turns out, it’s literally saving lives.

I went down a rabbit hole on this (as one does, but especially me), and it turns out copper is kind of the unsung hero in the fight against bacteria. And once you see what copper can do, you might be eyeing your own doorknobs, water bottles, and kitchen gear a little differently.

This isn’t just a cool material story (although, I’d like to think it is cool and well-written if I do say so myself), it’s about how an ancient metal might quietly be one of the best germ-fighters we’ve got.

Wait, copper kills germs?

Yep, sure does! Copper doesn’t just look pretty, although it is, it’s antimicrobial. Like, seriously actually antimicrobial it turns out.

Scientists have found that copper surfaces can kill up to 99.9% of bacteria within a couple of hours. And it’s not some fancy coating or chemical trick, it’s literally the copper itself doing the hard work.

Basically, copper ions mess with the membranes of bacteria and viruses, poking holes in them and wrecking their DNA until the germs die off. It’s like copper is out playing defense for us all 24/7, even between cleaning sessions.

And the best part is that bacteria can’t “outsmart” copper. Unlike antibiotics, they can’t develop resistance to it. (Take that, superbugs!!)

Some hospitals realized this and thought: “why don’t we swap out all the high-touch stuff (doorknobs, bed rails, IV poles) for copper?” And the results were that infection rates dropped. Like, by a lot.

One study found a 58% reduction in hospital-acquired infections in rooms outfitted with copper surfaces. That’s not just a win for hospitals, that’s a big deal for anyone who’s ever worried about bringing home a hospital bug after visiting a loved one.

I’m now wondering why every public building isn’t covered in copper. Airports, schools, gyms? Someone call the infrastructure department, I’ve got a great new expensive idea for them to spend all my taxpayer money on.

Oh, and if you’re as into hidden health risks as I am, check out this post I wrote about microplastics sneaking into our water supply. Same “how is this not a bigger deal?” energy.

Copper cups: hype or helpful?

If you’ve scrolled Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen those gorgeous copper water bottles and cups. Supposedly, drinking water stored in copper vessels can help digestion, balance your body, boost immunity, and basically make you glow like you’re suddenly 20 years younger.

So…is it true?
Sort of I guess.

When water sits in a copper vessel, trace amounts of copper leach into the water. That tiny dose of copper can give the water mild antibacterial properties. This isn’t new in case you’re wondering, people in India and other parts of the world have been doing this for centuries under Ayurvedic practices.

Is it a miracle cure? Nah it won’t cure you of all illnesses and prevent cancer or anything. But if you’re already using a reusable bottle, swapping to copper’s kind of a nice upgrade. And hey, it looks pretty on the counter.

Just don’t go overboard please, your body needs a tiny amount of copper, not gallons of copper-infused water every day. (Too much copper can be toxic, so moderation is key.)

If you’re curious to try it, here’s one that’s actually food-grade and solid copper:
This copper cup on Amazon is a solid pick if you’re curious.

I’ll admit, it’s also a vibe sipping from a shiny copper cup. Feels fancy and like I’m actually doing something cool for my insides.

Why hospitals are betting on copper

Hospitals aren’t just adding copper because it looks luxe, although it does. They’re betting on it because copper keeps killing bacteria long after their cleaning crews leave.

Think about a regular doorknob. Someone touches it ad germs transfer. If nobody cleans it right away those germs stick around, waiting for the next unsuspecting hand to come along.

But a copper doorknob? Ah, that shiny little guy is already working to kill those germs between touches. Even if nobody disinfects it for hours, copper’s still doing its thing behind the scenes.

That’s huge in places like hospitals where infection control is literally life or death.
Some hospitals are now expanding copper beyond doorknobs; installing it in bed rails, light switches, faucet handles, even call buttons.

I’m surprised it hasn’t gone more mainstream already. I’d love to see copper hardware in schools, airports, gyms, basically anywhere germs love to hang out. Which is anywhere public really.

This kind of low-tech solution feels absolutely refreshing in a world obsessed with apps and gadgets. Sometimes the answer’s been here the whole time we just stopped using it.

Sometimes the old-school solutions make the most sense, which is why RFK Jr. is pushing for new food dye bans in 2025.

Should we all swap our doorknobs for copper?

If it’s in the budget, I’m kind of tempted. Especially for high-touch spots like bathroom doors or kitchen cabinet handles. Sadly, my budget at the moment is a little tight seeing as groceries cost $300 per week and my husband Zak Edington eats more than a normal human male.

Sadly for me, it’s not going to replace cleaning or anything, copper’s more like a safety net to scoop up those bad guys cleaning might’ve missed.

And while a full-house copper renovation might be overkill (for both your health and your wallet), starting with a few key items could be a fun upgrade. Or maybe just get a copper cup and call it a day. That’s what I did.

If nothing else, it’s fun knowing the material isn’t just pretty, it’s working harder than most of us. Don’t kill me, I’m just kidding, we all work harder than we should around here.

Let me know if you’ve used copper in your home or if your hospital’s started making the switch.

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Michele Gargiulo http://michelegargiulo.com
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