Many of us drink more water to stay hydrated in the summer months. Using a reusable water bottle is a great choice, as you can take your drink on the go and prevent waste.
But there’s one problem with these water bottles – mould. Mould grows in places where it’s damp and humid, and the nooks and crannies in your water bottle are the perfect place for it to thrive.
You might clean your water bottle regularly, but if you have one with a straw lid or a sports cap, there are tiny crevices inside the lid that can be really hard to clean correctly. These fiddly areas are a breeding ground for mould, and continuing to drink from a bottle with mould growth inside it can lead to health issues like respiratory problems and allergic reactions.
To tackle water bottle mould, cleaning fans online have suggested an easy 30-minute soaking method that’s guaranteed to penetrate the hard-to-reach areas of your bottle.
You should always clean your bottle either by hand or in a dishwasher, but soaking each part separately every so often will also help to eliminate mould and bacteria that regular cleaning struggles to find.
The tip was shared on Reddit after someone shared a photograph of their clear plastic water bottle that had mould growth on the inside. For their particular problem, a specially designed bottle brush would be perfect for reaching the bottom of the bottle when handwashing.
Bottle brushes can be bought for around £1.50 from places like Dunelm, but if you don’t have one, some commenters suggested adding raw rice to some soapy water inside the bottle and giving it a good shake to clean the sides.
Others also suggested soaking the bottle in a bleach solution for just half an hour, as this would eliminate mould from inside the main drinking area and the fiddly bits in the lid.
One person said, “You need to sanitise them all sometimes. Wash them and soak them for 30 minutes in warm water with a splash of bleach. Your clean kitchen sink with the stopper in works well for this. Use one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water. Then rinse until the bleach smell is gone.
Another added: “A splash of bleach in hot water or fill it with vinegar, let sit overnight, then wash with soap. To avoid this, wash it at least twice a week if used for water and every use if used with everything else. Add soap and hot water halfway, put on the lid, and shake it. Rinse.”
How to clean a reusable water bottle
Basic Daily Cleaning:
- Disassemble: Take apart the bottle, removing the lid, straw, and any other parts.
- Wash: Use warm water and dish soap. Scrub the inside with a bottle brush, and clean the lid and straw (a straw brush helps).
- Rinse: Rinse all parts thoroughly to remove soap.
- Dry: Let all parts air dry completely before reassembling.
Deep Cleaning (weekly or as needed):
- Vinegar Method: Fill the bottle halfway with white vinegar, then top off with water. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight. Rinse thoroughly.
- Baking Soda Method: Add 1–2 teaspoons of baking soda and warm water. Shake, let sit for 15 minutes, then scrub and rinse.
- Dishwasher: If your bottle is dishwasher safe, place it on the top rack and run a cycle.
Tips:
- Always check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
- Clean your bottle daily if you use it for anything other than water.
- Don’t forget to clean the threads and seals on the lid.
- For stubborn odours or stains, repeat the vinegar or baking soda method.
