Now that the weather is beautiful outside, many of us have a water bottle with us at all times, but many people do not realise they are not cleaning them properly. Water bottles are an awkward shape for cleaning those hard-to-reach spots, but simply rinsing them out is not enough, as over time, grime and bacteria can accumulate at the bottom.
If you do not scrub a water bottle properly and leave it to dry out then it creates the perfect environment for mould to grow, which can create health problems. However, Ruben Peters, an expert from Flaske, has shared a deep clean for a water bottle that involves rice and some washing-up liquid.
Ruben said: “Add half a cup of water, a tablespoon of uncooked rice, and a tiny squirt of washing-up liquid.
“Put the cap on and shake the bottle, the rice will take off most residue. After, rinse the bottle with hot water, making sure that all the rice comes out.”
It may seem odd but rice is one of the most effective ways to clean a water bottle as it is highly absorbent, which means it will pick any leftover moisture that mould cause mould.
Rice is also abrasive enough to scrub the inside of a bottle properly to loosen any grimy build-up without scratching the material.
All you need to do is add the rice, some water and a little washing-up liquid, screw on the lid and shake it vigorously.
After two minutes pour out the soapy rice, rinse your water bottle and it should not be thoroughly clean.
Many people do not realise that water bottles should be cleaned with hot, soapy water every day, just like any other dish, since bacteria can easily enter the bottle through contact with your mouth.
This applies whether your water bottle is made of stainless steel, plastic, or any other material.
Make sure to also give the cap a good clean with hot soapy water as saliva and germs tend to collect in this area and can contaminate the rest of the bottle.
If you are more forgetful, then make sure to give your bottle a deep clean at least once a week using the rice method. However, if you have used your bottle for fruit smoothies or dairy-based drinks, it is extremely important to clean it thoroughly every day.
If you follow this simple cleaning method then your water bottle will be completely sanitised so you can drink out of it without worrying about mould build-up, funky smells or a lingering aftertaste.
