How to Clean a Stainless Steel Water Bottle

While you can reuse stainless steel water bottles, you must clean them to avoid bacteria and odor growth. However, it's not enough to only rinse them every day. We're listing the different ways on how to clean a stainless steel water bottle like Hydro Cell to ensure drinks stay fresh.

How to Clean a Stainless Steel Water Bottle

To clean a stainless steel water bottle, use a brush and liquid soap to scrub the interior, exterior, and cap. You can also use white vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and a cleaning tablet for tougher stains. Rinse the tumbler well using warm water and let it air dry.

Bacteria thrive in moist environments, like water bottles. Letting germs grow can affect your health negatively. These steps are essential in keeping your Hydro Cell stainless steel water bottles clean to prevent germs from multiplying, so you can protect your body against diseases.

Wash With Liquid Soap

The simplest way to clean your Hydro Cell stainless steel water bottle is to wash it using liquid soap and water. Fill the sink with warm water and mix about 1 tablespoon of liquid soap.

You can soak the tumbler for about 5 minutes before using a sponge or soft bristle to clean the tumbler. Make sure to scrub the bottle's neck or the cap's drinking hole as these parts usually touch your lips.

The airtight lid can also trap different kinds of grime, so pay attention to the nooks when scrubbing. Rinse using running water, then let the tumbler and cap air-dry overnight. You can also use a towel to dry the items quickly.

Clean Using White Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent and disinfectant for stainless steel water bottles because most vinegar solutions contain 4 to 8% acid. Such acidity levels can cut through grease and bacteria that grow in the moist interior of a water bottle.

In effect, mineral deposits will loosen quickly for you to remove. Like liquid soap, vinegar is a staple in households, so you can easily whip up a vinegar cleaning solution to clean insulated tumblers.

1. Fill the water bottle with equal parts vinegar and water.
2. Put the cap back and shake the bottle.
3. Let the mixture stand overnight.
4. Rinse the bottle the following morning.
5. Pour liquid soap into a sponge, then scrub the bottle to remove the vinegar's scent.
6. Rinse again before drying.
7. Turn it upside down in a dish rack or use a cloth to dry. Dry the caps and straws separately.

Clean Using Baking Soda

Research shows an estimated 300,000 colony-forming units of bacteria per square centimeter in water bottles left unwashed for a week. While liquid soap and vinegar can generally eliminate this problem, some people don't like their smell. Baking soda would be an excellent alternative when cleaning Hydro Cell water bottles.

As opposed to vinegar's acidity, baking soda's mineral structure is less abrasive in dislodging dirt and stains in stainless steel water bottles. More than that, baking soda's anti-microbial properties can neutralize stubborn odors. In effect, you won't have to wash again to mask the smell of more potent cleaning agents. 

1. Create a paste by mixing 2 teaspoons of baking soda and a teaspoon of water.
2. Spread the paste in the bottle's interior.
3. Let the paste sit for 20 minutes.
4. Fill the tumbler with water. You can also add vinegar for a stronger cleaning mixture.
5. Shake the solution.
6. Use a scrub or brush to clean the interior.
7. If the cap or straw is extra grimy, soak them in hot water and baking soda for 2 hours. Use a straw brush to reach the cranny.
8. Rinse with hot water, turn the tumbler upside down, and then let it air dry.

Wash With Hydrogen Peroxide

Another effective way of cleaning Hydro Cell stainless steel water bottles is to use hydrogen peroxide. It's basically water with an extra oxygen molecule that oxidizes, killing mildew and odor.

Some hikers bring hydrogen peroxide because it can help treat wounds and soreness. Thus, hydrogen peroxide may also come in handy when you need to clean tumblers outdoors.

1. Clean the bottle first using soap and water.
2. Pour 2 fluid ounces into the bottle, then fill the rest with water.
3. Put the cap back and shake the tumbler.
4. Rinse the bottle again before air drying.

Invest in a Cleaning Tablet

There would be times when you need to clean water bottles even when you're not at home. It can be while you're at the gym and notice a grimy part in the tumbler's neck. Perhaps you're quietly working at the office and smell a nasty scent on the cap. 

In such circumstances, you may not be able to bring vinegar or baking soda. The best solution is to use cleaning tablets in washing a stainless steel water bottle. To do this, put a tablet in the bottle, fill it with water, then shake vigorously.

Since you might not have a cleaning brush, it would take longer for you to shake. After that, rinse the Hydro Cell stainless steel bottle with water and use a clean cloth to dry the interior.

Clean in a Dishwasher

In this fast-paced world, where you'll be running errands or shuffling time between work and school meetings, having a dishwasher can be a lifesaver.

Bacteria typically swarm the cap's drinking hole or the tumbler's neck, with 60% of the germs found in bottles making people sick. If you have access to a dishwasher, simply load your tumbler along with the rest of your dishes to fight such illnesses.

Among the benefits of using stainless steel water bottles is that some tumblers are dishwasher-safe. However, be sure to check for a logo on the bottle's bottom indicating that it's dishwasher-safe. 

1. Remove the lid and position the tumbler upside down in the dishwasher.
2. You can also place other parts, like the cap or straw.
3. Put the appropriate amount of dishwasher detergent, which should depend on the brand you're using.
4. Close the dishwasher and run a regular washing cycle.
5. Please note caps are dishwasher safe. Dishwasher can fade the text and logo on the bottle from repeated use. 

Conclusion

A stainless steel water bottle lets you reuse it for years and save money in the long run. However, it still requires simple cleaning to ensure it can store your beverages safely. Follow these tips, and you can keep your Hydro Cell water bottles in pristine condition.