Reusable water bottles are welcome companions in daily life. Filled with your favorite beverage, you always have a refreshing drink on hand while on the go. But in addition to water, juice, lemonade, etc., thousands of germs also end up in your mouth when you drink, which can eventually make you sick. Find out here how to clean your water bottle.
Many water bottles are real hygiene disasters. Even in a dog bowl, there are fewer germs than on your favorite bottle. Proper cleaning is crucial here.
Drinking water can make you sick
Wherever there is moisture and water, bacteria thrive. Likewise, our mouth contains many bacteria. As soon as we drink from a bottle, the bacteria from our mouth enter the interior of the bottle by reflux. In addition to bacteria from the mouth and saliva, intestinal bacteria also enter the bottle through our hands. They can quickly multiply there.
Sugary juices provide bacteria with an ideal environment. Since they are body’s own bacteria, they pose no danger to us. However, if we share the water bottle, there is a risk of contamination.
If your water bottle already has visible mold traces, an unpleasant odor, or a greasy film, it’s high time to take action. In most cases, only replacing the water bottle is then useful.
Before reaching that point, try the following 4 tips to thoroughly clean your water bottle:
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Dishwasher cleaning
Whether your water bottle is made of aluminum, steel, glass, or plastic, it is imperative to thoroughly clean it every day. The simplest method is to put it in the dishwasher. Place the bottle preferably in the top rack and use the hottest program with drying. Before refilling the bottle, it must be completely dry.
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Cleaning with water, a brush, and dish soap
The fastest cleaning is done with water, a brush, and dish soap. However, be careful not to introduce more bacteria into the bottle with the brush. Put hot water and dish soap in the bottle, then shake it thoroughly and remove beverage residues with the brush. Rinse the bottle well afterward and preferably place it to dry on a paper towel – dish towels are also not spared from germs.
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Cleaning with soaking time
If you don’t have dish soap on hand, you can also use baking soda, denture cleaning tablets, or vinegar. Pour a packet of baking soda into the bottle and add hot water. Shake the bottle well and then leave it open for two hours. Use denture cleaning tablets according to package instructions.
If your water bottle has limescale deposits, add a little vinegar essence and hot water and shake it for 30 seconds. Then let the vinegar water sit for two to three hours.
After the soaking time with baking soda, denture cleaning tablets, or vinegar, you must first rinse the bottle very thoroughly and let it dry.
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Boiling cleaning
The safest way to kill bacteria is to boil them. Make sure your water bottle, including its lid or straw, can withstand temperatures up to 90°. If so, immerse the bottle in a large pot of boiling water for about five minutes. Children’s water bottles
It is best to rinse your water bottle immediately after use on the go with water – especially if you had sweet and sticky liquids. This will reduce potential health risks. At home, then thoroughly clean the water bottle. By following these tips, you will enjoy your water bottle for a long time.
