Cleaning Your Stainless Steel Water Bottle Daily
Scrub your bottle with warm water and 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of dish soap. Use a sponge or bottle brush to scrub the walls and bottom of your water bottle. You can also place a sponge or cloth inside with the soap solution, replace the cap, and shake the bottle vigorously for a few seconds. If your water bottle has a screw-on top, be sure to scrub the threading that winds around the mouth of the bottle with a soapy sponge.
Rinse the bottle with clean water and allow it to air dry upside-down. Fill and empty the bottle several times with warm water until no soap comes out. Flip the bottle upside-down and place it in a dish rack or on a towel to dry. Cleaning your water bottle daily can help get rid of any odors and eliminate bacterial growth.
Deep Cleaning Your Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Use baking soda to deodorize your bottle. Add 1 teaspoon (6 g) of baking soda and fill with warm water. Allow the mixture to soak for about 15 minutes, then rinse with clean water and allow the bottle to air dry. Baking soda is a nonabrasive natural cleaner that’s effective for removing mildew, bacteria, stains, and odors, which can make it the perfect DIY cleaner to use on your water bottle. For extra deodorizing power, add 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) bleach to your baking soda mixture. Allow it to sit overnight, then rinse it out and allow it to air dry. Aim to deep clean your water bottle at least once a month.
Remove mildew and bacteria with vinegar. Pour 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of distilled white vinegar and fill with water. Close the cap and shake the bottle, then let it sit for 10 minutes or overnight. Pour the mixture out and use a brush or sponge to scrub the inside with dish soap and warm water. Take the lid off, rinse the bottle, and turn it upside-down to air dry. Vinegar is a natural cleaner that cuts through mildew, bacteria, and grime. Make sure to use distilled white vinegar so no vinegary smell stays in your bottle after you’re done. If your water bottle is bigger or if you think it needs an even deeper clean, fill it halfway with distilled white vinegar and the rest with water.
Disinfect your bottle with hydrogen peroxide. Add ⁄4 cup (0.059 L) 3% hydrogen peroxide to the bottle and shake it. Replace the cap before you give the bottle a good shake. Empty the bottle and rinse with warm water to remove any lingering hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant that kills germs, bacteria, fungi, and viruses, making it ideal for cleaning and sterilizing. Alternatively, use Milton sterilizing fluid. Pour 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) into the bottom of your water bottle and fill it with warm water. Leave it for 15 minutes, then empty it and it’s ready to use!
Use the dishwasher for an easy option. If your water bottle is labeled as “dishwasher safe,” place it upside down on the top rack with the lid off. Place any detachable parts, like the lid or straw, in the dishwasher as well. Add dishwasher detergent, close the dishwasher, and run a regular cycle. Add dishwasher detergent, close the dishwasher, and run a regular cycle. Usually, you can find a “dishwasher safe” on the bottom of your bottle. If your bottle is painted or insulated, it might not be dishwasher-safe.
Cleaning Your Stainless Steel Water Bottle’s Lid, Seal, and Straw
Soak the stainless steel water bottle lid and seal in vinegar. House cleaning professional Raymond Chiu recommends to “rinse the cap and use a brush to loosen as many stains as possible. Next, soak the cap in [distilled white] vinegar for 30 minutes and rinse thoroughly.” Vinegar is an inexpensive, environmentally friendly household cleaner that can break down some oils, films, stains, and bacteria.
Use a straw-cleaning brush and dish soap to clean the straw. If your stainless steel water bottle comes with a straw, mix a few drops of dish soap in hot water and allow the straw to soak for a few minutes to loosen any gunk inside. Run a straw cleaning brush back and forth through the inside of the straw, then rinse with water. If your straw is attached to the lid, follow the step above and soak the entire top in distilled white vinegar for 30 minutes. Use a straw-cleaning brush, warm water, and dish soap to clean the inside of the straw.
Choosing an Easy-to-Clean Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Look for metal water bottles that have removable bases. Many stainless steel water bottles have bottoms that can be twisted off. This allows you to better access the inside of the water bottle so you can clean it.
Select a stainless steel bottle with a wide mouth. Bacteria can hide in the bevels of water bottles with narrow mouths. Wide-mouthed bottles can allow you to easily see and access the inside, making cleaning easier. They’re also easier to air dry, which can prevent mold and bacteria build-up.
Ensure your bottle is made with food-grade stainless steel. Before buying a stainless steel water bottle, check the tag or the bottle for verification that it’s made from grade 304 (18-8) or 316 stainless steel. These are safest “food grade” types of stainless steel. Most water main pipes are made of 18-8 or 304-grade stainless steel.
Comments
0 comment