How To Clean a Reusable Water Bottle Properly

So, you made the switch from plastic water bottles to a reusable one. Great! 

Unlike its plastic counterparts, reusable water bottles are one of the answers to fight plastic pollution. Often made from stainless steel, these bottles are eco-friendly, BPA-free and keep your beverages cold for hours at a time. But while making the switch to a reusable water bottle offers a host of benefits such as these, you do need to take the time to empty and clean it often.

Maintenance is key for water bottles. Since it’s a moist environment, it’s possible for bacteria to build up, turning your sparkling water bottle into a trap for germs. 

With this in mind, here are a few simple steps to clean your reusable water bottle the right way.

Hand Wash With Care

Your reusable water bottle has high-tech and high-quality features that you want to keep in the best shape — vacuum insulation to keep your liquids hot or cold for longer, a stainless steel body to endure everyday use and a slip-free exterior coating to prevent condensation. 

Placing your insulated water bottle in the dishwasher could break seals and cause a leak, destroy the insulation, and fade, peel or crack any artwork on your bottle. So instead of tossing your shiny bottle in the dishwasher, it’s important you hand wash it with a little extra care. 

How To Clean a Reusable Water Bottle

Step 1: Gather Your Tools

Many stainless steel water bottles have a wide opening at the top, which makes them perfect to drink from but you can’t fit your hand or a sponge into it to clean. So you will need a bottle cleaning brush. This perfectly sized tool will come in handy and it can get to all the hard-to-reach places of your water bottle where you are more likely to experience buildup.

In addition to a brush, all you need is dish soap and water. You can also use baking soda and vinegar for a deeper clean.

Step 2: Cleaning the Inside of Your Bottle

Hot water with dish soap is an easy and effective way to wash out your reusable bottle. Simply fill it up with water and soap and use a bottle brush to scrub all sides as well as the top and edges of the bottle. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

If you don’t have a brush, you can soak your bottle with soap and water and let it sit. After 30 minutes, rinse thoroughly with warm water.

For a deeper cleaning experience, add a couple tablespoons of baking soda and hot water into the bottle, swirl and let it sit. After 30 minutes, rinse thoroughly with warm water. This solution is not only effective at removing dirt and absorbing odors, but it’s also natural.

Vinegar is another natural disinfectant and great for deep cleaning. This non-toxic and eco-friendly solution helps kill most bacteria and deodorizes. Fill half of your reusable bottle with vinegar and the other half with hot water. Let it soak overnight and rinse thoroughly with warm water in the morning.

Step 3: Cleaning the Lid and Outside of Your Bottle

It’s important that you don’t forget to clean the cap and outside of your water bottle. These parts come in contact with your mouth and hands often. So use warm, soapy water and a sponge to get rid of any gunky buildup and rinse with warm water.

Step 4: Dry

After washing your reusable water bottle, be sure to let it dry on a drying rack or mat completely before using it again to avoid reintroducing any bacteria or other harmful bugs.

And you’re done! 

These tips are not only applicable to water bottles, however. If you use stainless steel tumblers or travel mugs, be sure to follow these steps as well to keep them squeaky clean and ready for the next round.