You want to clean your water bottle but don't know how? With these tips and tricks, you'll have your bottle sparkling in no time.
We'll show you how to get rid of unpleasant odors and even mold quickly and sustainably. Ready?
Why is it so important to clean water bottles regularly?
At the latest, when your water bottle stinks or you see mold inside, it's clear: the bottle needs cleaning. Ideally, it would be advisable to clean the container after each use. But often, we forget such small things in everyday life.
- After sports,
- a hike
- or a bike tour, we empty the leftovers and put the bottle back in its place.
But this way, bacteria and the like can spread unhindered, – even if you've only filled it with water.
Your saliva also contains bacteria that inevitably get inside when you drink from the bottle's rim. Mold, on the other hand, only occurs if you transport other liquids.
Especially juices and soft drinks are at the top of the list of suspects.
That's why it's so important to clean water bottles regularly. Whether it's
- plastic,
- stainless steel
- or aluminum.
All models need to be cleaned regularly. And we'll show you the best way to do it now!
How do I clean a water bottle?
Don't worry! Cleaning water bottles is neither difficult nor time-consuming. You even have various options to choose from. If you want to make it particularly easy for yourself, we recommend using a stainless steel water bottle.
Our models are especially easy to care for. You can easily clean them in the dishwasher. Only the closure made of sustainable bamboo is not suitable for this.
If, on the other hand, you want to clean aluminum or plastic bottles or prefer to clean your stainless steel water bottle by hand, it's best to proceed as follows:
Step 1: Fill the bottle with hot water
Fill your bottle with hot water. Screw the lid on tightly and shake the bottle well several times.
Step 2: Turn the bottle upside down to dry
Repeat the process once more and then allow the bottle to dry upside down. To ensure all moisture escapes well, you should place it slightly tilted.
Alternatively, you can of course also use a clean dish towel to dry it.
Step 3: Use a bottle brush additionally
If you have transported other liquids like juices or coffee, you should also clean the drinking bottle with a bottle brush.
How do I clean the mouthpiece of a drinking bottle?
The mouthpiece or lid of your drinking bottle requires separate cleaning. This way, you avoid mold in the drinking bottle, as liquid is a good breeding ground for bacteria.
Furthermore, you can prevent your drinking bottle from smelling bad this way.
To clean the mouthpiece or the lid of a plastic or stainless steel bottle, you can proceed as follows:
- First, remove the rubber seal and clean it with a soft cloth under running water.
- Then rinse the lid thoroughly with hot water and a little dish soap.
- Dry all components well with a clean dish towel. Before you reunite the lid and rubber seal, let them air dry well for safety. This way, bad odors and mold have no chance.
Which home remedies are suitable for cleaning?
Besides hot water and dish soap, there are a number of different home remedies that can be used for cleaning drinking bottles. Some of these tips from social media and forums are surprisingly helpful. Others, however, are harmful to your health and are not recommended.
Which home remedies are “top” or a “flop”, we will tell you now:
Dishwasher tabs
They do remove stubborn dirt, but in their concentrated form, they can harm you and your drinking bottle. When you consider that they are responsible for cleaning the entire dishwasher load, it quickly becomes clear that dishwasher tabs are not really suitable for cleaning your plastic or stainless steel bottle.
Coarse salt or rice
They are also considered a secret tip and are supposed to eliminate mold and odors. The core idea is not wrong either. If coarse salt or uncooked rice grains When filled and the bottle is shaken, a mechanical cleaning occurs.
However, this damages the material of all drinking bottle models. So, better keep your hands off these home remedies!
Vinegar
Vinegar has antibacterial properties and can reliably rid contaminated bottles of mold and odors. If your drinking bottle smells, you can mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar with hot water and clean your stainless steel bottle with it.
However, for plastic or aluminum bottles, this home remedy is not suitable, as the material can become porous.
Denture Cleaner
This is a real all-rounder, unlike the previous home remedies. With the help of these special cleaning tablets, you can
- Stainless steel-,
- Glass-
- and plastic bottles be cleaned effortlessly.
Simply fill the bottle with hot water and add a tablet. The denture cleaner does the rest.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is also a proven secret tip for stainless steel, glass, and aluminum bottles. However, you should not use this inexpensive home remedy for cleaning plastic bottles.
All other models benefit from the cost-effective and effortless cleaning performance. For each drinking bottle, you need a packet of baking soda, which you fill into the bottle together with hot water. Just let it work and then rinse thoroughly. Done.
Boiling
Boiling is still considered by many outdoor enthusiasts as the ultimate method for cleaning a drinking bottle. However, not all materials withstand the high temperatures. Especially plastic and glass reach their limits here.
Also, the rubber seals in the lid do not withstand the disinfection method. Therefore, this home remedy is rather not recommended.
Citric Acid
Like vinegar, it has germicidal effects and can work wonders if your drinking bottle smells or mold has spread. However, you should never use citric acid undiluted but dilute it with water beforehand.
Can I clean my drinking bottle in the dishwasher?
Drinking bottles from ALPIN LOACKER can be cleaned in the dishwasher without hesitation. Only the bamboo lid should be cleaned by hand. For other models, you should follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Especially aluminum or plastic bottles often do not withstand the high temperatures. Also, colorful drinking bottles are often not dishwasher safe, as with this cleaning method sooner or later the "paint comes off" in the truest sense of the word.
Do drinking bottles also need to be disinfected?
Disinfecting is often synonymous with boiling. As you know, most drinking bottles cannot withstand this high heat. Normally, it is not necessary to disinfect your bottle.
Only if there is mold in the drinking bottle or you notice unpleasant odors, should you take action.
Here you can use special cleaning tablets or one of the home remedies listed above like
- vinegar,
- citric acid
- or denture cleaner.
Expert tip: Be sure to check whether your drinking bottle is suitable for the appropriate cleaning method.
How often should I clean my drinking bottle?
Ideally, you should clean your drinking bottle after each use. On a multi-day hike, this is only partially possible and often time is lacking in other situations as well.
If you use your bottle exclusively for transporting drinking water, you do not need to worry about mold or odor formation. It is sufficient to rinse the bottle carefully after use and occasionally give it a thorough cleaning.
However, if you use coffee or sugary drinks, this is not enough. In this case, you should indeed clean your drinking bottle carefully after each use to avoid bacteria and mold.
How do I dry my drinking bottle after cleaning?
After cleaning, you can dry your drinking bottle with a clean dish towel. Crumple one end of the towel and use it to wipe out the inside of the bottle. Alternatively, you can also let your drinking bottle dry upside down in a dish rack.
In both cases, it is important that you do not screw on the lid until everything is completely dry and no water residues remain.
Conclusion
Cleaning your drinking bottle is, depending on the model, quick and effortless. Besides the conventional cleaning method with hot water and detergent, some home remedies have also proven effective in practice. Especially
- baking soda,
- denture cleaner,
- vinegar
- and citric acid can be very helpful.
But always pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions. Especially plastic and aluminum bottles do not withstand many cleaning methods.
If you prefer to spend your time on other things than cleaning water bottles, you should take a look at our stainless steel bottles. They are dishwasher safe and therefore very easy to clean.
Expert Tip: To avoid unpleasant odors and mold, you can take preventative measures. If you rinse your equipment thoroughly with hot water after each use, bacteria and the like have no chance.
FAQ
Why is it so important to clean water bottles regularly?
It is important to clean water bottles regularly because bacteria and other germs can accumulate inside. Even when using water, bacteria from our saliva enter the bottle and can multiply there.
When using other liquids like juices, there is also a risk of mold formation. Regular cleaning ensures hygienic use.
Can I clean my water bottle in the dishwasher?
For water bottles from ALPIN LOACKER, cleaning in the dishwasher is safe, except for the bamboo lid, which should be cleaned by hand. For other models, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Plastic and aluminum bottles often cannot withstand the high temperatures of the dishwasher, and even colorful water bottles can be damaged by the dishwasher.
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