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I have at least five, in different colors, made of Tritan, steel and glass: I’m talking about drinking bottles. They are indispensable for quickly refilling your liquid balance, saving money on the go and avoiding unnecessary single-use plastic. And yet they lead a meagre existence, often forgotten in a dark corner of my rucksack and only dug out again when I need them.
Reason enough to give them some attention. How do I clean my water bottle properly? Here is the most important information on care and storage.
Despite its great effect, the drinking bottle often goes unnoticed – but it helps to save resources and always be well supplied. Photo: Sport Conrad
Clean drinking bottle: The most important things in a nutshell
- Clean daily: With hot water, dishwashing liquid and a brush. Do not forget the transition from neck to belly.
- Lid & seal: Clean thoroughly and allow to dry separately.
- After each use: Particularly important for tea, fizzy drinks or milk.
- Remove smells – these household remedies help:
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- Soak lemon juice or vinegar in warm water
- Leave baking soda/baking powder with water for several hours
- Use a denture cleaner tablet in lukewarm water
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- Storage: Store open and completely dry.
- Important: Do not put in the dishwasher (unless otherwise stated), do not use mechanical cleaners such as salt or rice.
How do I clean my water bottle properly?
It is best to clean your drinking bottle daily. Pour hot water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid into the empty bottle and scrub it with a bottle brush or soft dishwashing brush. Then leave the bottle to dry thoroughly, e.g. on a draining rack.
The transition from bottle belly to bottle neck – i.e. from the wide to the narrow part – is often overlooked and is a popular hotspot for germs. Clean this area particularly well.
Don’t forget the lid either: clean it thoroughly with a brush or dishcloth and then let it dry.
If you forget to clean it, don’t panic. With this method, it is often still easy to clean even after weeks. If the contents of the bottle (e.g. drinks containing sugar or milk) have started to go moldy, it will need a little more care.
How often should I clean my drinking bottle?
The drinking bottle should be cleaned after every use – especially if it has contained tea, fizzy drinks or milk. This prevents germs, mold and discoloration.
Drinking bottles should be cleaned after each use to prevent germs, mold or discoloration. Photo: Sport Conrad
What to do if the drinking bottle smells unpleasant?
If your drinking bottle smells unpleasant and the smell persists even after cleaning, you can resort to various household remedies. Here are three options.
- Clean the bottle with lemon juice or household vinegar: Pour warm water into the bottle and add 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar (not vinegar essence). Close the bottle to give it a good shake. Then take the cap off again and leave the mixture to work for a few hours. Then rinse well and leave to dry.
- Cleaning the drinking bottle with baking soda or baking powder: Add one to two teaspoons of baking soda (e.g. Kaisernatron, also known as baking soda) or baking powder to a bottle with warm water, stir and leave to work for several hours. Rinse thoroughly and leave to dry.
- Denture cleaner tablets also do a good job: they destroy germs and can dissolve deposits. You can buy them at any drugstore. Simply add them to your bottle with lukewarm water and leave to work for at least 30 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly and leave to dry.
How do I store my drinking bottle hygienically?
After cleaning, the bottle should be left to dry completely and stored with the lid open, as residual moisture can promote the growth of germs and the formation of unpleasant smells.
Finally, a few “do’s and don’ts” for cleaning your water bottle:
✔️ DO…
1. regular cleaning prevents many problems – it is best to empty it directly after every trip and clean it as described above. Even if there was only water in it.
2. always remember the lid of your bottle. Wipe it thoroughly or, if it is stubbornly dirty, soak it in warm water (if necessary with washing-up liquid or one of the household products mentioned).
3. always allow the bottle to dry thoroughly and well ventilated. If you place it upside down on a smooth surface, leave one side slightly open (e.g. place it on a spoon) to allow air to circulate.
Salt & rice? Better not: these cleaning methods can damage your bottle. Photo: Sport Conrad
✘ DON’T…
1 Clean the drinking bottle in the dishwasher? Better not. Unless expressly stated by the manufacturer, cleaning in the dishwasher is not recommended. The heat and mechanical cleaning (using salt) can cause damage, especially to delicate materials.
2. You can often find tips on the internet for “mechanical cleaning” with coarse salt or grains of rice. However, this can scratch your bottle or damage the coating, so it’s better to leave it alone.
3. don’t forget the rubber seal! On many lids, you can remove the rubber seal that prevents leakage. Clean this ring separately, otherwise germs may form underneath.
