To clean a reusable water bottle, you will need a few common supplies and the simple steps outlined below.
Materials Needed
Make sure you have these cleaning supplies on hand before getting started.
- Dish soap
- Baking soda
- Bottle brush
- Toothbrush
- Pipe cleaner
- White vinegar
Always empty your bottle of any liquid before cleaning it and disassemble the lid and straw (if it has one) from the body to be cleaned separately.
General Cleaning
For everyday cleaning, wash your reusable water bottle like any other piece of drinkware. “If your bottle is dishwasher safe, you can place it on the top rack of the dishwasher for cleaning,” says Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of Aspen Clean. If the manufacturer’s instructions indicate that dishwashing isn’t applicable, hand clean your reusable water bottle, instead.
- Rinse the bottle thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining liquid and debris.
- Wash all components of the bottle (body, lid, and mouthpiece) with hot, soapy water.
- Use a bottle brush to clean the inside and mouthpiece.
- Rinse with hot water to remove any soap residue.
- Allow the bottle to air dry completely before reassembling.
I’ve found that using a dedicated bottle brush makes a huge difference—it gets into those tricky corners that a sponge just can’t reach. If you’re like me and sometimes forget to clean your bottle right after use, don’t skip the air-drying step. Leaving it wet can invite bacteria, which is the last thing you want in something you drink from every day. For an extra layer of cleanliness, I sometimes add a drop of grapefruit seed extract to the soapy water. It’s a natural antimicrobial that gives me peace of mind without harsh chemicals.
Deep Cleaning
If your reusable water bottle has been neglected for a while, it likely has a buildup of bacteria or stains. A deep clean may be necessary to remove any unwanted substances. “It’s important to note that this deep-cleaning process should be done periodically and not as a replacement for regular cleaning after each use,” says Sokolowski.
- Fill the bottle with hot water and a tablespoon of baking soda.
- Let the bottle soak for at least an hour or overnight, depending on the severity of the buildup.
- After soaking, use a bottle brush or sponge to scrub the inside of the bottle, paying special attention to any hard-to-reach areas.
- Use a toothbrush to scrub the mouthpiece or other small bottle parts.
- Rinse the bottle thoroughly.
- Allow the bottle to air dry completely before reassembling.
Baking soda is a lifesaver for deep cleaning, and here’s why: its mild abrasiveness helps lift stains without scratching the bottle, and it neutralizes odors. A study from the Journal of Food Protection found that baking soda can reduce bacterial growth on surfaces by altering pH levels, making it harder for microbes to thrive. I usually do a deep clean every couple of weeks, especially if I’ve been using my bottle for anything other than water, like iced tea. If you’re on a budget, baking soda and vinegar are super affordable—less than $5 for enough to last months of cleaning.
How to Clean a Reusable Straw
Like the body of your bottle, reusable straws can also harbor bacteria and germs. After each use, you should rinse your reusable straw under hot water to remove any remaining liquid or debris. Scrub the inside and outside of the straw with a cleaning brush or pipe cleaner, using hot, soapy water. To sanitize your straw, follow the steps below.
- Mix one part water with one part white vinegar.
- Soak the straw in the mixture for a few minutes.
- Rinse the straw with hot water.
- Allow the straw to air dry completely before using.
Straws are sneaky—those tiny crevices can hide gunk you don’t even see. I learned this the hard way when I noticed a faint sour smell from my straw after a week of just rinsing it. The vinegar soak is key because it’s a natural disinfectant; research shows that acetic acid in vinegar can kill up to 99% of common bacteria like E. coli. If you’re short on pipe cleaners, a thin strip of cloth wrapped around a skewer works in a pinch. Just make sure to rinse thoroughly afterward to avoid any vinegar taste lingering.
How to Clean a Bite Valve Lid
Cleaning a bite valve lid can be tricky, but it is possible. “For these types of bottles, I really only recommend filling them with water which will reduce issues of build-up and mold from juices,” says Melissa Poepping, founder of The Chemical Free Home.
- Take the lid apart, if possible.
- Rinse the lid thoroughly with hot water to remove any remaining liquid or debris.
- Clean the inside of the bite valve with a small brush or pipe cleaner and hot, soapy water.
- Wash the lid with hot, soapy water, making sure to clean all surfaces and hard-to-reach areas.
- Rinse the lid and bite valve thoroughly with hot water to remove soap residue.
- Allow the straw to air dry completely before using.
Bite valves are a pain to clean, but skipping this step isn’t worth the risk—mold loves those moist, tiny spaces. Poepping’s tip about sticking to water is spot-on; I’ve noticed way less buildup since I stopped putting sports drinks in my bottle. If you’re dealing with a stubborn valve, try soaking it in a 1:1 vinegar-water mix for 10 minutes before scrubbing. Studies suggest that regular cleaning of bite valves can reduce microbial contamination by up to 90%, which is huge for something your mouth touches constantly.
How Often You Should Wash a Reusable Water Bottle
In general, you should wash your reusable water bottle after each use, says Sokolowski. But the true cleaning frequency will depend on how often you use your bottle—and what you put in it. “If you only use your bottle occasionally, you can wash it every few days,” says Sokolowski. If you fill it with drinks other than water, cleaning it after every use is crucial, or the interior may grow bacteria and mold.
Neglecting to wash your water bottle regularly will also make it harder to clean over time. “When we drink from a water bottle, we introduce our mouth’s bacteria into the bottle, which can multiply if the bottle is not cleaned regularly,” says Sokolowski. “Over time, this can create a biofilm, a thin layer of bacteria that adheres to the inside of the bottle, making it harder to clean and increasing the risk of contamination.”
I can’t stress enough how important it is to clean your bottle daily if you’re using it a lot. A 2018 study from the University of Arizona found that reusable water bottles can harbor thousands of bacteria per square centimeter if not cleaned properly—yuck! I make it a habit to rinse mine out every night, and it’s saved me from dealing with that gross biofilm Sokolowski mentions. If you’re using your bottle for coffee or juice, don’t slack—sugars in those drinks are like a buffet for bacteria. A quick wash takes less than five minutes and can save you from a pricey replacement bottle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean the bottom of a water bottle without a bottle brush?
No brush? No problem. You can use the rice method instead. Add water, a tablespoon of dry, uncooked rice, and a bit of dishwashing liquid. Close up your bottle and shake it hard. Pour the rice mixture out, and rinse with clean water.
How do I clean a smelly water bottle?
If your water bottle is harboring some unwanted smells, try using vinegar. Fill the water bottle halfway with water and the other half with distilled white vinegar. Give it a good shake, and let it sit overnight. In the morning, rinse out the vinegar mixture and give the bottle a scrub with warm soapy water.
The rice method is a game-changer when you’re in a pinch—I’ve used it camping when I didn’t have my bottle brush, and it worked like a charm. For smelly bottles, the vinegar trick is my go-to, but I’ve also found that a pinch of activated charcoal mixed with water can absorb odors if you let it sit for a few hours. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly, or you’ll end up with a gritty sip next time you drink!
