Opting for a reusable bottle is a great way to keep yourself and the planet healthy. You won’t have to dispose of single-use bottles and can carry much more water at any time. However, bringing a reusable water bottle along with you also means you need to clean it regularly so there’s no kind of unhealthy buildup.
Unless you know how often to clean it, you may not realize just how dirty it can get. Here’s what you need to know about cleaning your daily water bottle.
How Often Should You Clean Your Water Bottle?
Some people use their water bottles every day, even if they don’t plan to exercise. Other folks only use reusable bottles when they’re active. How often you should clean your bottle largely depends on how often you use it. Reusable water bottles can harbor some nasty bacteria and pathogens, like how Klebsiella grimontii was found on a reusable bottle and could’ve potentially infected someone.
You may not think plain water can harbor certain bacteria, but it can get dirtier faster if you add more to it. Adding electrolyte properties to your water can ensure you stay hydrated, but it might add to the griminess of a water bottle over time. Alternatively, adding sugary flavoring might add to the layers of dirt on your bottle.
If you use your water bottle every day, try to clean it regularly. Washing your water bottle every day is important, but it’s all right if you miss a day or two. A reusable bottle can help you remember to hydrate yourself adequately, but you’ll only be doing your body a favor if you drink clean water.
Basic Clean vs. Deep Clean
Diseases in unclean water are a leading killer of people worldwide, so you should strive to keep your water bottle as clean as the water you fill it with. Knowing how to wash your water bottle well will preserve it for years to come and can keep illnesses at bay. However, if you use your water bottle daily, it can be difficult to know when it’s really ready for a deep clean.
Basic Clean
You should give your water bottle a basic wash every one or two days, depending on how frequently you use it. As you use your water bottle over days, you may notice it starts to smell weird. Alternatively, the water might start to taste funny through the straw. These signs are strong indicators you must wash your water bottle soon.
Dish soap goes a long way in ensuring your water bottle is clean. From there, you’ll tackle it like any other dish — scrub it with an appropriate bottle brush, dish soap and warm water. You want to ensure you clean every part of your water bottle, including the lid and the very bottom of it.
Use a paper towel to dry it or let it air dry without the cap. Otherwise, the moisture might breed mold and bacteria. If you wash your bottle before bed and opt to air dry it, it should be ready to go the following day.
Deep Clean
Deep clean your frequently used water bottle no less than once a week. If you’ve recently been sick, you may want to clean it as soon as you feel better to get rid of the bacteria or virus that made you sick — just in case any of it lingers in the straw.
If you want to stick to an all-natural clean — which is understandable, since you drink from your water bottle — you can use vinegar as your primary cleaning agent. People use vinegar as an all-purpose cleaner and disinfectant in many areas of their houses, and you can use it to ensure you can drink from your bottle safely and cleanly. To deep clean your water bottle, clean it regularly first, then let a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water sit in it overnight.
While you wait for the mixture to take effect, clean your straw. Disassemble the lid if you can to make it easier for you. Use a bottle brush to scrub off any of the remaining gunk. After your water-bottle cleanse is finished, rinse it out and dry it thoroughly. If you want it to be extra clean, you can run it through the dishwasher if possible.
Clean Your Water Bottle Regularly to Stay Healthy
Would you lick a water fountain you found out in public? The idea might gross someone out, but if you haven’t cleaned your water bottle recently, it may be a similar scenario. Using soap and water to clean it doesn’t take long, and it ensures your water bottle gets clean — something you can’t always guarantee with dishwashers.
When you sip from a clean bottle, you’ll feel hydrated and energized, and you likely won’t risk catching any sickness. Drink up to get all the benefits pure water offers you.
