How to Clean Your Water Bottle Depending on Its Material? How Often to Disinfect It Inside?

Do you like to cycle in your free time? Do you lead a more or less green lifestyle and avoid single-use plastic? Do you have schoolchildren using lunch boxes and thermoses every day? How to clean your water bottle? Whatever the case and whatever the motivation, anyone who owns a reusable bottle must certainly ask themselves the question of how to clean their water bottle, and there are many reasons for doing so…

When and How to Clean Your Water Bottle?

Launched as a great alternative to reduce plastic waste and becoming a cult fashion accessory, reusable bottles are more popular than ever these days. But I have bad news: yours is probably full of germs! So, how to clean your water bottle to avoid bacteria? How often?

Why Is Cleaning a Water Bottle Regularly Important?

Even if you’re an adult who only puts drinking water in your thermos, studies show it can contain around 75,000 bacteria. To answer your next question: Yes, it’s beyond an average toilet seat! Microbiologists explain that every time we take a sip, we contaminate our bottle with bacteria that are normally found in our mouths. These microscopic organisms are most often harmless (at least to their current host with a specific immune system), but they can also include Staphylococcus aureus, the flu virus, mononucleosis and herpes type 1, among others. Not to mention mold, which thrives in warm, damp, dark environments.

Fun Facts: Did you know that plastic tends to develop mold a little faster than other materials?

This is why you should never share your bottle and that is why it is important to clean your water bottle regularly! And what does that mean exactly? How often should you disinfect the inside to avoid the risk of bacterial infestation? Is rinsing it in the evening enough?

Also read: 10 Things You Should Clean Every Week and Keep Your Home Bacteria-Free and Inviting!

How Often to Clean Your Water Bottle?

Microbiology specialists recommend that you clean your water bottle every day or every other day using a mild dishwashing liquid and a clean bottle brush. Once a week, you can also disinfect the inside with a deeper wash.

How to Clean Your Stainless Steel or Glass Bottle?

For example, if your water bottle is dishwasher safe (this should be stated by the manufacturer), you can run it through a disinfection cycle from time to time. This is one of the best ways to clean your stainless steel, silicone and glass bottle provided you don’t use abrasive tablets and you only do it occasionally.

NOTE: You must first make sure that all parts of the bottle are machine washable. Sometimes the bottle is, but its cap, its insulating layer, fastener, etc. are not!

What about Aluminum Bottles?

To clean your water bottle, if it’s made of aluminum in the machine can be tricky, as this metal is more susceptible to damage from certain chemicals. The same applies to certain plastics. So how do you clean an aluminum or plastic bottle to avoid bacteria?

For intense cleaning of an aluminum bottle, fill it with a few spoons of white vinegar, close it and shake it vigorously. Then, fill it to the brim with hot water and let it soak for a few minutes before washing it with a few drops of dishwashing liquid.

Cleaning a Plastic Bottle

To thoroughly clean a plastic water bottle, rinse it, add two or three tablespoons of baking soda and fill it with hot water. Shake the bottle well and let it soak for a few hours before washing it as usual.

Finally, we should point out that you can clean a stainless steel bottle with baking soda. The same also applies to glass and silicone. The inside of aluminum bottles can also be disinfected with baking soda, but the white powder should not be left to act for long, as this metal is prone to oxidation.