How Do I Clean My Water Bottle?

Water bottles can hold so many bacteria, viruses, and mold if not cleaned properly. Washing your bottle correctly will prevent the breeding of disease-causing bacteria in it. So, if you’re asking “how do I clean my water bottle properly?”, keep reading to discover several ways to get the job done.

How Do I Clean My Water Bottle?

Clean your water bottle using soap and warm water every day. If you need to remove a smell or stain from your bottle, you can soak it with vinegar, then rinse well. You may also use baking soda to remove the odor from your bottle. Let it dry before putting the lid back on.

Not all bottles can be washed in the dishwasher. Make sure to read the cleaning instructions before putting it in the machine. If it’s not dishwasher safe, you can clean it using a sponge or a bottle brush. Reach all the crevices and the bottom of the bottle.

Aside from using your trusted dishwasher to clean your bottle, there are several ways that are also effective in cleaning and sanitizing your bottle. Here are some of the most natural and efficient ways to clean your water bottle.

Warm Water and Soap

The best way to clean your water bottle is to wash it with warm water and dishwashing soap. You can also use boiling water to remove flavors, smell, and some stains from your bottle. For this process to be successful, you need to use a sponge to clean all the sides of your bottle.

If your bottle has a narrow mouth, you should use a brush to make sure that you can reach and clean the bottom of it. You can also use this brush to clean the lid or the straw if there is any. 

Distilled White Vinegar

Distilled white vinegar is a cleaning agent that does not smell so good. However, it can remove the nasty smell and stain on your bottle. All you have to do is to take equal parts of water and vinegar solution. Soak the bottle overnight with the mixture and rinse it with warm water the following morning.

If your bottle still smells like vinegar after rinsing, wash it with hot water and soap. Let the hot water sit there for about 5 to 10 minutes then rinse it out. Allow the bottle to dry naturally before storing or putting the lid on. 

Baking Soda

If you do not like the smell of vinegar, another option for cleaning your bottle thoroughly is using baking soda. If you want to remove yesterday’s coffee taste and smell, you can use a mixture of a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with hot water. 

Baking soda is also an effective cleaning agent for stainless steel bottles. Make sure to soak the inside of the lid as well to clean the bottle fully. After a couple of hours, rinse it well with water and allow it to dry. You may also leave it overnight for better results.

Bleach and Baking Soda

If the stain or grime in your bottle can’t be removed by vinegar or baking soda alone, combining the sanitizing and cleansing powers of bleach and baking soda may work. Combine a teaspoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of bleach inside the bottle. Pour some water up to the brim.

Using the same solution, clean the lid as well. Allow the mixture to soak your bottle overnight and rinse with warm water in the morning. Let the bottle and the lid dry naturally.

Why You Should Wash Your Reusable Bottle Regularly

You might be stuck with the idea that your bottle is still clean if you’re only putting water and not colored beverages in it. However, bacteria may grow even in a moist lid and inside your unclean bottle. There are plenty of reasons why you should always wash your reusable bottle:

• Whatever kind of bottle you have, if it comes in contact with your mouth, you can immediately transfer lots of bacteria into it. 
• The dark, cold, and moist environment inside your bottle is the perfect area for bacteria and mold to grow.
• If you have a plastic bottle, there’s a greater chance of chemicals leaching into your water.
• Some bottles may develop a nasty odor if not washed regularly.
• Unwashed bottles and stock water can cause several diseases especially if it is contaminated already.
• The taste and smell of your yesterday’s drink might still be there if your bottle is unclean.
• Unwashed bottles can even be dirtier and can be a host to so many bacteria compared to your dog’s bowl and saliva. 
• A bottle can host about 300,000 bacteria per square centimeter if left unwashed for a week or more.

Related Questions

​​Do Stainless Steel Water Bottles Get Moldy?

Stainless steel water bottles can get mold if left unwashed for several weeks. However, stainless steel bottles are not a usual place for molds to grow. This is because stainless steel is non-porous, therefore, preventing molds to multiply quickly and thrive. Washing your stainless steel bottle thoroughly can easily remove the mold.

How Can I Clean My Water Bottle Without a Brush?

Without using a brush, you can clean your water bottle by soaking it with hot water and liquid soap. Let it stay for about an hour then rinse well. You can also use other cleaning agents such as vinegar, rock salt, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach to clean your bottle.

How Do You Dry the Inside of a Bottle?

You can dry the inside of a bottle by leaving it open after washing. Moreover, you can use a rolled paper towel, insert it inside the bottle and allow the moisture to be absorbed. After a few minutes, you may pull the paper towel out. 

Conclusion

Cleaning your water bottle is essential whether you are using it outdoors or indoors. If left unclean, it can be a breeding host for bacteria and fungi. In cleaning your bottle, you may use warm soapy water, vinegar, baking soda, bleach, or rock salt.