There are many great reasons to carry a reusable water bottle with you, from reducing plastic waste to meeting your hydration goals. Plus, you can avoid spending money on single-serve drinks. Keep your drinking water in a bottle you can take anywhere!

But while reusable water bottles can help you stay healthy, they can also harbor bacteria and mold that could make you sick. Even if you only put water in them, they still need to be cleaned. 

Unfortunately, reusable water bottles can be difficult to wash. There are some water bottle cleaners on the market, but it’s cheaper and more effective to use a combination of elbow grease and natural cleansers. Here are some tips from the experts!

How to Clean Different Types of Water Bottles

Glass Water Bottles

There’s nothing quite so elegant as a glass reusable water bottle. These classy containers make your water look oh-so-appealing. However, they may not be dishwasher-safe.

To thoroughly clean your glass water bottle without breaking it, use a small amount of dish soap with hot water. Gently agitate the water to create suds, then use a bottle brush to scrub out the insides.

To clean the plastic or silicone cap, scrub it thoroughly with dish soap. If you notice moldy spots, soak the cap in a 50-50 solution of vinegar and water overnight. Rinse it off and dry it with a dish towel.

If you’ve gotten a buildup of grime and mildew, try this:

1. Mix 1 teaspoon of bleach with 1 teaspoon of baking soda in your bottle.

2. Add water to the fill line. 

3. Scrub the greasy areas with a bottle brush. 

4. Use the solution to clean the cap as well. (Wear gloves!)

5. Let it all sit overnight, then rinse and dry thoroughly. 

Quick safety tip: Never mix bleach and vinegar. While both ingredients are effective cleaning agents and safe to use in water-based solutions, they react and form chloride gas. 

Stainless Steel Water Bottles

Stainless steel is highly durable and rust-resistant, making it an excellent material for reusable water bottles. However, it can be difficult to see dirt and grime inside your steel bottle. Many stainless steel water bottles are made with a narrow spout, making it difficult to clean the interior.

Vinegar works wonders as it breaks down stubborn grease in hard-to-reach spots. Here’s how to clean your stainless steel water bottle:

1. Fill your steel bottle with equal parts vinegar and water.

2. Put the cap on and gently shake the bottle, then let it sit overnight.

3. Thoroughly rinse out the bottle and let it dry. 

Aluminum Water Bottles

Aluminum reusable water bottles are an affordable and durable option. Unfortunately, they tend to absorb odors, and as the material oxidizes, it may collect residue.

To clean an aluminum water bottle, you can use a mix of vinegar and water as you would for stainless steel bottles (see above). Another method is to use fragrance-free dish soap with a bit of baking soda. This helps avoid an unpleasant soapy taste from lingering in your bottle.

What if rust appears on or inside your bottle? Here’s what to do:

• Mix lemon juice and baking soda to form a paste.

• Spread the paste onto the rusted areas, then let sit for 10 minutes.

• Scrub the spots with steel wool or a scouring pad in a circular motion. 

• Rinse, then dry thoroughly.

Plastic Water Bottles

Your reusable plastic water bottle needs some extra TLC to stay clean. Many plastics are heat-sensitive, which means your bottle may not be dishwasher-safe. This also means that blasting it with hot water won’t necessarily do the trick.

As with other types of reusable water bottles, vinegar and baking soda can work magic. You can combine the two, which will create a natural cleaning foam that helps break down dirt and grease.

Plastic bottles and their caps are prone to mold and mildew. Soak them in a 50-50% mix of water and vinegar overnight. Rinse and dry thoroughly. 

Cleaning Water Bottle Pieces

Your reusable water bottle itself may be easy enough to clean with a bottle brush, especially with the power of vinegar or bleach on your side. (Again, no mixing!) Just be sure to rinse and dry it completely before putting your drinking water in the bottle.

However, the small parts can be a whole different challenge. Here are some pointers on how to clean your reusable bottle’s lids and straws. 

Water Bottle Lids and Shaker Caps

Your reusable water bottle’s cap may contain anti-leak seals, flip-tops, and other moving parts. All those details mean more places for bacteria and mold to lurk.

Scrubbing gently with warm, soapy water is the easiest way to clean your lid. You may need to remove the rubber seal or drinking spout. A combination of baking soda and vinegar can help break down any grease. 

If you notice that mildew is growing in the cap, disassemble all the small parts and soak them in a mild bleach solution (1 teaspoon per 1 cup of water should do the trick). Let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse and dry thoroughly before re-assembling. 

Water Bottle Straws

Reusable water bottles with a straw are convenient for drinking yet a challenge for cleaning. Because they’re mostly enclosed, narrow spaces, reusable straws can easily harbor bacteria and mold. Simply rinsing them with water won’t do the trick. 

Invest in a set of straw brushes, i.e. miniature bottle brushes. Apply a small amount of dish soap with warm water, then scrub out your straws. Let them air-dry completely before putting them back in your bottle.

Water Bottle Bite Valves

Many reusable water bottles have a drinking spout, also called a “bite valve.” This part is usually made of silicone or soft plastic, which makes it prone to bacteria and mildew.

To clean the bite valve, remove it from the lid and scrub it with warm, soapy water. You can also soak it in your 50-50% vinegar solution. Use a cotton swab or straw brush to clean the inside. Let it dry thoroughly before reattaching it to the lid.

Things to Know Before You Clean Your Water Bottle In A Dishwasher

Some reusable water bottles are marked dishwasher-safe. However, that doesn’t mean your dishwasher is the most effective way to clean them.

It can be difficult for the dishwasher’s spray pattern to reach inside the bottle. Also, the lid’s small details may not get the attention they need.

And even if a glass reusable water bottle can technically go in the dishwasher, there’s always the risk of breakage.

As a general rule when cleaning a water bottle, wash by hand first. If your bottle can go in the dishwasher, save that for after you’ve manually cleaned off any mold, mildew, grease, or rust. 

Then, immediately remove the bottle from the dishwasher and dry it thoroughly. If it’s left in a damp, warm place, it’s more susceptible to bacterial or fungal growth.

Wrapping Up

Regularly cleaning a water bottle keeps it sanitized and safe for drinking — so you can keep enjoying fresh water wherever you go!

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