According to Habits of Waste, 481.6 BILLION plastic bottles were used worldwide in a single year. That's 40 billion each month and 1.3 billion every single day. Furthermore, only 9% of this plastic is recycled. Thankfully, reusable water bottles are an eco-friendly alternative that is an easy step towards a greener lifestyle. If you've already invested, and you’re wondering, why does my reusable water bottle smell? We've got you! Here's everything you need to know about keeping your reusable bottle clean and extending its lifespan.
Keeping Your Reusable Metal Water Bottle Clean & Fresh
Understanding the Smell in Your Reusable Water Bottle
In a nutshell, your reusable bottle smells mainly due to bacteria build-up. Even if your bottle looks clean, the bacteria likely build up due to poor cleaning. If you're using your bottle daily and continually refilling it without regular cleaning, it needs some TLC.
How Often Should You Clean Your Reusable Water Bottle?
We get it; cleaning a reusable water bottle with a straw feels like a chore you can skip. However, you should clean your reusable water bottle with soap and water daily to prevent harmful bacteria build-up and those funky smells. In addition to daily cleaning, you should also give your bottle a thorough scrub regularly, at least once a week.
Materials Needed for Cleaning Your Reusable Water Bottle
Thankfully, keeping your reusable bottle clean and safe to drink from is straightforward and affordable. For daily cleaning, you'll need the following:
- Dish soap,
- Sponge or bottle brush
If you're using a bottle with a straw, you could invest in a pipe cleaner brush.
For deep cleaning, you'll need:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
Top tip: You can use a toothbrush if you don't have a bottle brush.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Reusable Water Bottle
For everyday cleaning, you can wash your bottle like any other drinkware. Just follow these simple steps:
- Rinse your bottle with warm water to remove any remaining contents.
- Use hot water and soap to wash all bottle components with a sponge or brush.
- Once cleaned, use hot water to remove any soap residue.
- Dry your bottle entirely before reassembling and refilling.
Ensuring your bottle is completely dry is essential to the cleaning process. If moisture is retained inside the bottle, it will become a breeding ground for bacteria. So, if you have time, allow the bottle to air dry upside down or use a clean dish towel. Whatever the method, ensure your bottle is moisture-free before replacing the lid.
If your water bottle is dishwasher safe, like our 500ml reusable metal water bottles, place it on the top rack of the dishwasher for cleaning.
Deep Cleaning Your Reusable Water Bottle
A deep clean is due if you've neglected your reusable bottle for a while. It's worth noting that even with deep cleaning, you should continue to clean your bottle daily. Here’s how to deep clean:
- Mix equal parts of vinegar and water or baking soda in warm water.
- Shake the solution inside your bottle and leave for at least an hour. You can leave it overnight if you wish.
- After soaking, use a bottle brush or sponge to clean the inside of the bottle, ensuring you cover all areas.
- Use a pipe cleaning brush or toothbrush to clean the mouthpiece and other smaller bottle parts.
- Rinse the bottle thoroughly and air dry completely before using it again.
Preventing Smell and Bacterial Build-Up in Reusable Water Bottle
Regular cleaning should prevent smell and bacterial build-up in your reusable water bottle. While it may feel like a bit of a chore, it's worth doing regularly to extend your bottle's lifespan and ensure its contents are safe to consume.
Opting for a bottle like our 1 litre stainless steel water bottle with a dual opening feature will make regular cleaning a breeze. And if washing dishes isn't your thing, go for a dishwasher-safe option.
FAQS
How do you get the smell out of a reusable water bottle?
An equal combination of white vinegar and baking soda should effectively remove unpleasant smells from your reusable bottle. Follow our deep cleaning process above.
How long can you leave water in a metal water bottle?
It's completely safe to drink water stored in stainless steel bottles - even for long periods – ask Bear Grylls. However, in an ideal world, you'll replace the water daily and even more regularly to ensure it's perfectly chilled.
Is it safe to drink from a water bottle that smells bad?
You should always ensure your water bottle is clean and free of bad smells before drinking from it. Not only can bacteria cause unpleasant odours, but it can also make you sick.
How do you keep mould out of reusable water bottles?
Proper and frequent cleaning is essential to remove mould from your reusable bottle. To ensure your bottle is mould-free and safe to drink from, follow our step-by-step cleaning guides above.
While you may look at your bottle and think it looks clean, regular cleaning is essential for health and hygiene. It's also worth noting that sugary and acidic drinks can cause a build-up of bacteria and unpleasant odours that can be difficult to remove. As a result, using your bottle purely for water or other neutral beverages can also help to keep your bottle clean for longer.
