How Often Should I Clean My Water Bottle?

You have taken the responsible route. You drink from a reusable water bottle every day. In fact, it has become your companion in all that you do. Whether it is going to the store, working out or hanging at the pool, old faithful is always there right by your side ready to provide you with much-needed hydration.

Hydration that comes with no waste and stays nice and cool thanks to your trusted friend. Better yet, having a reusable water bottle with you tends to cause you to drink more, as it becomes a habit to take a sip often. Combine that with the inherent increase as a result of having a water cooler in your home or office and you will have no problem meeting your daily water requirements.

Do I Need to Clean My Water Bottle?

But, soon you start to wonder, should I be cleaning this thing? I mean it is just water. It is technically getting rinsed out every time I refill it from my water cooler. Right? Way wrong.

A reusable water bottle can become a breeding ground for bacteria especially if there are any grooved areas. Just think about it, anything dark and wet, that is sometimes exposed to warm temperatures and goes everywhere with you is bound to harbor some germs.

But, don’t panic. Keeping your reusable water body squeaky clean is a piece of cake.

• Rinse the cap and bottle with warm water and soap.
• Scrub the inside of the bottle with a brush.
• Clean any grooved or ridged areas with a soft cloth or sponge.
• Clean the outside of the bottle and cap with warm water and soap.
• Once a week rinse the inside of the bottle with diluted distilled white vinegar. Use about 1 teaspoon in 2-3 cups of water. Some recommend bleach for disinfecting but I am not a fan of that option.
• Rinse very well.
• Allow drying thoroughly.

The drying process is perhaps the most important step. In fact, I would suggest leaving the bottle overnight to fully dry. In addition, it is not a bad idea to have a rotating set of bottles so you can fill one while the other is drying.

If you are lucky enough to own a bottle that is dishwasher safe, then toss that baby in on the top shelf, but not the cap! I have learned the hard way that caps melt…easily. You should always wash the cap by hand.

Washing your reusable water bottle in between each use is neither necessary nor feasible. Instead, simply make it your routine to wash it each night or morning.

A wide-mouth water bottle makes cleaning even easier. Stainless steel or glass options are usually dishwasher safe. To kill two birds with one stone I use a mason jar with a drinking spout lid. It has a nice wide mouth for easy cleaning and is completely dishwasher safe- it’s a win, win!

You may also enjoy reading:

• How To Clean Your Water Dispenser
• 9 of the Best Reusable Water Bottles
• Water Bottle Fill Stations for Schools