The Proper Way of Cleaning Your Stainless Steel Bottles

Not sure a reusable water bottle is for you because of all those germs? The fact of the matter is, single-use plastic bottles aren’t all that sanitary either! They might even be leaking harmful chemicals into your water with every sip. That being said, reusable water bottles aren’t just environmentally friendly — they’re also better for your health. If you’re worried about hygiene, don’t! There are dozens of sure-fire ways to clean your water bottle and eliminate that pesky bacteria anxiety.

Vinegar

When it comes to cutting through grease or grime, vinegar is an underrated non-toxic cleaning agent. Standard white vinegar has levels of acidity that can destroy bacteria built-up in compact, moist spaces — such as a water bottle.

If your water bottle is brand new or smelling a little musty, give it a vinegar rinse.

1. Simply add 2 tablespoons of vinegar into your water bottle, cap it tightly, and shake it up for about a minute.
2. After shaking, fill your bottle halfway with warm water and use a bottle brush to remove any build-up that hasn’t quite loosened.
3. Then, cap your bottle once more and give it another good shake.
4. Pour out the solution and rinse with water.
5. Make sure to thoroughly dry your cap to avoid mildew and bacteria. If your cap smells a little off, soak a clean cloth in vinegar and allow the cap to sit on it for about 15 minutes before rinsing.

Cleaning Tablets

Not everyone is keen on using vinegar as a cleaning agent, especially those who are sensitive to stronger smells. If vinegar isn’t your thing, consider using an all-natural cleaning tablet instead. The instructions are fairly straightforward.

1. Fill your bottle with water about halfway, then pop one cleaning tablet in.
2. Give it a good shake until the tablet completely dissolves, pour it out, then give it a rinse.

Baking Soda

Like vinegar, baking soda has anti-microbial properties that allow it to break down bacteria and cut through harsh odours caused by build-up.

Here’s how to use it to clean your water bottle.

1. Start by making a paste out of the water and baking soda.
2. Spread the paste inside your bottle using a bottle brush.
3. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water and let the bottle air dry. Simply place it upside down on your drying rack. If you don’t have one, allow your bottle to lean on a surface when you turn it upside down to allow airflow and avoid trapping moisture.

Hydrogen Peroxide

If you’re looking for a quick solution or something you probably already have in your household, you can use a 35% solution of hydrogen peroxide to clean your insulated water bottle.

1. Rinse your bottle with hot water.
2. Use a bottle brush to apply the hydrogen peroxide, making sure to remove any build-up.
3. Rinse the bottle again and leave it to air dry.

Conclusion

If you’ve been on the fence about a reusable bottle for quite some time, it’s time to get off it! Using one is beneficial to both the environment and your health and can be easily maintained in just a few steps.

For eco-friendly bottles that come with their own filtration systems, shop with us at EcoBud - We work towards providing families in Australia with pure and healthy water systems!