Clean your water bottle properly - Natural methods & tips

If you are reading this post, you have most likely already replaced your old plastic water bottle with a fresh stainless steel or glass water bottle.

Congratulations to you!

Now you can avoid unnecessary chemicals in your drinking water! And if you haven’t made the switch yet, you’ll find several different models to choose from in our growing range of water bottles!

But how do you take care of your reusable water bottle in the best way? Does your trusty companion get the love it deserves and needs? 😉

Sometimes glass and stainless steel water bottles can develop a musty and unpleasant smell, especially if you’ve used them for a strongly scented drink or forgotten them with liquid inside for a long time.

1. Everyday cleaning of water bottle & cap

If you use your water bottle daily, it should also be washed daily. This applies even if you only drink water, as saliva, dust, and other dirt can create a breeding ground for bacteria, and we don’t want that in our clean drinking water.

Here we help you step by step to take care of your water bottle in the best possible way!

For everyday cleaning you need:

• Warm water
• Eco-friendly dish soap
• Dish brush, bottle brush, and possibly a straw brush

Do this:

1. Avoid submerging the entire water bottle in dishwater. The best way is to clean the bottle by pouring warm water and eco-friendly dish soap directly into it.
2. Put the cap on the bottle and shake it well a few times until the soap forms bubbles.
3. Then clean it with a dish brush or bottle brush that fits the bottle neck.
4. Rinse the bottle with water until it’s free of soap.
5. Remember to wash both the inside and outside of the bottle, then dry it or let it air dry on the dish rack.
6. Also wash the cap with warm water and dish soap. Take apart the parts and wash each separately. Any straws should be cleaned with a straw brush.

Note! Stainless steel water bottles that are painted should usually not be washed in the dishwasher, as the paint can be damaged by the harsh treatment from heat and strong detergent.

Stainless insulated water bottles should also not be washed in the dishwasher, as water can seep into seams and similar areas.

We advise you to avoid washing your stainless steel water bottle in the dishwasher unless you are sure it will withstand the treatment.

Glass water bottles usually can be washed in the dishwasher without problems.

2. Deep cleaning of water bottle & cap

Sometimes the water bottle needs a thorough cleaning, for example if it has developed a musty smell or has been forgotten while filled with coffee or other drinks that can leave odors.

Vinegar is a fantastic natural cleaner that can remove certain types of bacteria. The vinegar cleaning method doesn’t kill all bacteria but is a good way to deep clean a reusable water bottle that needs it.

Just like vinegar, baking soda is also a household favorite for those who want to clean naturally.

Below are two natural and simple recipes for deep cleaning water bottles.

For the Vinegar trick you need:

• Warm water
• Eco-friendly dish soap
• Vinegar

Do this:

1. First wash the bottle as usual with warm water and dish soap.
2. Then fill the bottle with 1/5 vinegar and 4/5 warm water (you can increase the vinegar ratio depending on how dirty the bottle is).
3. Shake the bottle a few times and then let it sit with the mixture overnight.
4. Rinse it out in the morning and wash it as usual if you think it still smells like vinegar.

For the Baking Soda trick you need:

• Baking soda
• Warm water

Do this:

1. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda into your water bottle and fill it with warm water.
2. Put the cap on and shake the bottle a few times, then let it sit with the mixture for a few hours.
3. Rinse the bottle with warm water.

Deep cleaning the cap:

When deep cleaning caps and lids, it’s especially important to take apart all parts and wash them by hand with a dish brush and dish soap.

Many parts can also be washed in the dishwasher on the top rack, which is very convenient and ensures they get thoroughly clean. Check if your water bottle’s parts can be washed in the machine.

3. How to store your water bottle

The water bottle should be stored in a dry and clean place with the cap off to allow the bottle to air out.

If you usually put the cap on the bottle when storing it, it’s very important that all parts have dried completely before you put it away in a cupboard.

Otherwise, there is a risk the bottle will develop an unpleasant smell or bacteria will form.

How do you wash your bottle?

We hope you’ve got some good tips to help reduce both plastic and bacteria in your water.

Do you have even more tips on how to keep bottles clean? Share them in a comment so we can all learn from each other.

Good luck!