How to clean your reusable water bottle

Reusable water bottles are not just a trendy way to stay hydrated, they also play a role in saving the environment. Especially as single-use plastic items are being more and more of an issue, reusable water bottles are a simple step everybody can take to reduce oil use and carbon dioxide releases that come with production of plastic bottles.

Did you know that it takes more water to produce a plastic bottle than the amount of water the bottle can hold? To make the most out of your reusable bottle it is important to take proper care of your bottle so you can keep reusing it for a long time without the fear of it developing mold or bacteria. Here are some tips to do just that.

Daily cleaning

Even if you are using it constantly, your water bottle still needs to be cleaned regularly. Clean your bottle every day by filling it with warm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid and use a bottle brush to scrub the walls, the bottom, and the lip of the bottle, then rinse thoroughly.

Dry the bottle with a towel or leave it to air dry with the cap off, as otherwise trapped moisture will create an environment ideal for germs. If the bottle is dishwasher safe, you can avoid all this cleaning by using a dishwasher. Hisense has introduced the next generation of dishwashers, that ensure next level cleanliness by using UV technology to clean the water used for dishwashing, removing 99,9 % of bacteria, and drying dishes. They also come with flexible inner baskets and height adjustable upper baskets, which gives you the space need to clean even the biggest reusable water bottles and if your bottle is made of glass, you can use a special Glass Program.

Thorough cleaning

If your bottle has a smell or you can spot mold, you will need to clean it more thoroughly by using water bottle cleaning tablets or filling the bottle halfway with white vinegar, adding cool water, letting it sit overnight and then cleaning it. Instead of white vinegar, you can also use two to four tablespoons of baking soda and warm water.

Cleaning the lid

It is important to clean the lid as well, start by removing the wrist band if there is one attached to it. Use washing-up liquid and brush to clean it daily or put it in cutlery basket if you are using a dishwasher and the lid is too small to stay on the racks. If you see signs of mold dip it into half white vinegar half cold water solution and leave it overnight. Once again you can also use baking soda and warm water solution.

Cleaning the straw

Create a cleaning solution using dishwashing liquid and hot water, dip a straw brush in it and pas it up and down the entire length of the straw. If the brush isn’t thick enough, tie more of them together. In case more stubborn cases of food are still stuck on, dip the brush in baking soda and use it as a gentle abrasive. If you don’t have a straw brush, you can also use long cotton swabs or dental floss to reach inside the straw.

Cleaning the sleeve

If you have a glass reusable bottle you can use a sleeve to protect the bottle. A sleeve will provide an extra grip, serve as a cushion when you’re putting the bottle down, insulate and absorb condensation. Keep the sleeve clean by washing it by hand or in a washing machine at lower temperatures, if the tag says it is ok to do so.