How to Clean a Reusable Water Bottle Effectively and Thoroughly, Per Experts
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Drinking enough water is key to feeling your best (and research shows that it may even slow down aging!). But drinking out of a clean water bottle is just as important as getting enough H2O—what’s lurking inside may actually be hurting your health.
Reusable water bottles can be a hot spot for bacteria, according to a study from WaterFilterGuru.com, which found that the average water bottle has 40,000 times the bacteria found on a toilet seat. To find out how to clean a water bottle, we spoke with two experts for the most effective and quick ways to sanitize your trusted cup.
Before you get started, you’ll need a few tools to get the job done (in addition to access to both hot and cold water).
What you’ll need
Straw brush (for bottles with a straw or squeeze top)
Towel or drying rack
How to clean a reusable water bottle
1. Give each part a rinse.
The first thing you want to do is disassemble each part of your water bottle and give it a good rinse inside and out with hot water to remove any “debris or residue,” according to Val Oliveira, CEO and owner of Val’s Cleaning Services, a professional cleaning and organizing company based in Chicago—something that should become a daily part of your routine.
2. Wash with soap and a bottle brush.
“Next, we use dish soap and a bottle brush to scrub the interior of the bottle, paying close attention to any hard-to-reach areas,” she says.
3. Rinse again then sanitize.
“Once the bottle has been thoroughly scrubbed, we rinse it again with hot water and then sanitize it using a solution of water and vinegar.” Make your mix using equal parts water and vinegar.
Oliveira says that vinegar works as a disinfectant and can kill some bacteria and germs. “Rinsing a water bottle with vinegar and water can be particularly useful if the bottle has not been cleaned for some time or has been used to hold liquids other than water, such as juice or soda, which can leave behind sugar residues that can attract bacteria,” she says.
4. Let it air dry.
“Finally, we allow the bottle to air dry completely,” Oliveira continues. “This will help to prevent the growth of mold or bacteria inside the bottle.” For the best results, the bottle should be placed upside down at an angle on a drying mat or towel, or placed on a drying rack to ensure proper airflow.
How to wash other parts of your water bottle
Sometimes water bottles come with more intricate tops, like straws, spouts, or squeeze tops. These can be especially hard to clean thanks to all of their nooks and crannies. Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly Company, says you should take all of those individual pieces you disassembled when you washed the bottle and soak them in warm soapy water. After that, you should rinse everything clean with hot water. “Dry each part with a clean towel or let your bottle and parts dry completely by using a drying rack to prevent moisture from settling,” Mock concludes.
How to clean a lid
Using a bottle brush, she says you should thoroughly scrub the inside and outside of the bottle’s lid.
How to clean a reusable straw
“Use a straw brush to scrub inside of the straw,” she says, adding that she recommends scrubbing for between 10 to 15 seconds for the best results, but a good 20 seconds helps kills the most germs, at least for handwashing.
If everything looks and smells clean you can continue with the final step, otherwise Mock says you should give the pieces another soak before cleaning again.
Can your reusable water bottle go in the dishwasher?
Mock says that it’s generally safe to put reusable or insulated water bottles in the dishwasher, but it’s important to check the manufacturer’s instructions first as some bottles may have parts that are not dishwasher safe. “If you do put your bottle in the dishwasher, use a gentle cycle with a mild detergent and place it on the top rack,” she says.
And if your dishwasher fails to get things clean you should follow up with the handwashing routine to ensure you’ve eliminated any bacteria that could still be lurking in your reusable water bottle.
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