4 Ways to Keep Your Reusable Water Bottle Free Of Germs

We all know that reusable water bottles are a good thing as we all know The true cost of plastic. While bottled water is convenient, plastic waste is bad for the environment and can  lead to health issues. This means switching to reusable water bottles is a step in the right direction. 

But, reusable water bottles can become contaminated with bacteria easier than you think because they are handled by people who do not always wash their hands and come in contact with many surfaces throughout a day. We need to be aware about  reusable water bottles that are not maintained well are a potential food safety hazard.

A USA Today article said that reusable water bottles can contain as much bacteria as a dog dish.

So how do you make sure that your reusable water bottle is as clean as can be and germ-free?

1. How to clean a reusable water bottle?

There are a few simple things you can do to prolong the life of your water bottle and keep it clean.

Cleaning with soap

After use, each day, wash your bottle in hot water with a teaspoon of unscented dish soap added. Let it soak for a few minutes, rinse it well using warm water and then allow it to dry completely before the next use.

If you have hard water and lime deposits built up on your bottle, fill it with vinegar and let it soak overnight. Rinse thoroughly before using again.

To disinfect your bottle, fill it with boiling water and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing well with warm water.

Cleaning with baking soda

A lot of people already use this in their laundry and it works well on cleaning up the inside of your water bottle too. Just mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a cup of warm water and pour into your empty bottle. Let it sit for about 20 minutes then rinse thoroughly before filling with cold water and shaking to remove any remaining baking soda residue.

Cleaning with vinegar

It’s a great disinfectant and the perfect way to give your water bottle a more intensive clean. It won’t kill every germ but it will kill most, making it a great product to help sanitize your water bottle. Wash your water bottle with warm, soapy water and rinse well. Add half a cup of white vinegar and fill the rest of the water bottle with water. Allow to stand overnight, empty, rinse thoroughly and air dry.

2. When possible use the dishwasher

If the bottle is dishwasher safe, run it through your dishwasher for thorough cleaning and sanitizing. This makes sure the bottle is cleaned extremely well. Maybe you need to remove some parts that are not dishwasher safe. Important: Not all bottles are dishwasher safe.

If your bottle has a silicone sleeve, take it off and wash it separately. Silicone sleeves can be washed in the dishwasher or by hand using hot soapy water. You can also use a toothbrush to scrub any stubborn stains away from the silicone sleeve. If you have a hard time getting rid of that stubborn stain, try using baking soda or vinegar and scrubbing it with a toothbrush until you get rid of it completely.

If your bottle has an insulated sleeve, make sure to remove it before putting it in the dishwasher. Washing an insulated sleeve in the dishwasher may cause damage or affect its performance or lifespan as well as potentially cause injury if someone gets burned by touching it when hot water is running through the machine during cleaning cycles.

3. Be sure to empty your reusable water bottle

The main concern with using reusable water bottles is germ build-up. The longer a water bottle sits with water left in it, the more likely it is to develop germs and bacteria.

Avoid letting your reusable water bottle sit with water left in it for long periods in between use. Empty the bottle as soon as you are finished with it. Otherwise, it is more likely that germ build-up in the bottle will cause illness or disease.

The easiest way to avoid this problem is to always wash your reusable water bottle after every use. You can also place a drop of bleach into a full bottle of water and let it sit overnight before emptying out and washing your bottle again.

4. Invest in a bottle cleaning kit

This helps you clean your reusable water bottle and keep it free of bacteria and mold.

Rinse your reusable water bottle thoroughly with hot water after each use to remove any dirt or residue that might be stuck on the surface of the bottle.

Use the brush to scrub off any stains or build-up from your reusable water bottle, paying special attention to the lid and bottom of the bottle. You do not need to use soap or detergent as this will only cause an increase in bacteria growth; however, if you do want to use soap then make sure that use a mild dishwashing liquid instead of detergent so as not to damage any painted surfaces on your reusable water bottle.

Once you have scrubbed off all visible dirt and stains, rinse out your reusable water bottle thoroughly with hot water until no more dirt comes out when you squeeze out excess water from inside the container.

Bonus Tip:

When purchasing a new water bottle, look for one that doesn’t contain small crevices and harder-to-clean areas.

Your best bet is to go with a wide-mouth model, which can be cleaned more easily. If you want a collapsible model, make sure it doesn’t have any small parts that could come off when washing.

Conclusion

These tips work to ensure that your reusable water bottle is clean and free from bacteria, prolonging its life and protecting you from potential health hazards.