How Often Should I Clean My Water Bottle?

Water is essential for all life. Up to 60% of the human adult body is water, and we need to stay well-hydrated throughout the day to ensure our bodies reach peak performance.

One way to make sure you are well-hydrated is carrying a reusable water bottle. Reusable water bottles have many benefits. First, they are more environmentally friendly than using single-use plastic water bottles. According to Earth Day Network, one reusable water bottle saves an average of 156 disposable plastic bottles per year. Reusable water bottles also don’t contain many of the chemicals and toxins found in disposable plastic. Lastly, when you carry a reusable water bottle with you to your meetings or daily activities, you will likely see an increase in your sipping throughout your day.

While it may take a little extra time to clean a reusable water bottle, knowing how many single-use plastic bottles you are saving from the landfill is fulfilling and worth the extra few minutes it takes to scrub your reusable water bottle. You want to make sure you are giving your bottle a proper cleaning to remove any bacteria and germs that have accumulated. Every time we take a sip from our water bottles, bacteria, germs, saliva and food from your mouth go back into the bottle. Back wash is a real thing, people! Even if you are only consuming water, you should try to wash your bottle once a day to rid it of any lingering bacteria or germs. Here are five tips to make sure your reusable water bottle is staying squeaky clean and you get the longest life out of it.

1. Hand wash your water bottle at the end of every day with warm water and soap. When you finish cleaning it, place the bottle upside down on a towel or mat to drain any remaining liquid until you use it again.
2. If your bottle has a straw or valve mouth piece, be sure to clean those parts too with warm water and soap. Many stores sell specialized brushes to clean the inside of these small parts.
3. Check to see if your bottle is dishwasher safe. If it is, the hot temperatures of the dishwasher can offer a more thorough cleaning.
4. A solution of warm water and bleach is also a great option for more intense degerming. Let your bottle soak for 15 minutes before rinsing it thoroughly with warm water. This is a good option if you are drinking other liquids like sport drinks, coffee or juice. The solution will help remove any remaining residue.
5. If you notice an odor in your bottle, try using a solution of vinegar and water. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. Fill your bottle one-fourth full of vinegar and fill the rest with water. Allow this solution to sit overnight. The next morning, rinse your bottle thoroughly with warm water.

You should also take note of when it is time to replace your reusable water bottle. If your bottle develops any cracks, throw the bottle out. The cracks are hard to clean, and bacteria and viruses can linger in these spots. Also, if you notice your bottle has an odor even after cleaning it or using the water-vinegar solution, it is probably ready to toss.