Water bottles are everywhere – at the market, in fast food stores, in our cupboards, and yes, in our handbags as well. The reusable bottles are just reusable – and there lies its beauty. You can repeatedly fill it up and use it.

Reusable water bottles are environment-friendly and save you from spending money on disposable containers. But what happens when they become dirty? The bottle stays wet almost all the time and thus, it doesn’t get a chance to be properly cleaned.

Here are few facts that you should know before refilling your water bottle with water.

1. Bacteria Loves Dark And Moist Environment:

Prolonged usage of water bottles results in scratches that can be home to nasty types of bacteria. Cleaning bottles with warm water can cut down on some of the risks, but still, the problem persists. Reusing even branded bottles made by bottle-manufacturing brands aren’t completely safe either.

The best way to protect yourself against such microbial lives is to wash your bottles regularly. Prefer buying a wide-mouthed bottle rather than narrow mouth as it is easier to clean the inside of the bottle using a brush.

2. Most Of The Bacteria Exist Where Your Mouth Touches The Bottle:

Which part of your bottle do you think is more prone to bacteria growth? The correct answer is – the portion where you put your mouth.

Your mouth contains bacteria that get transmitted to the bottle when you drink the water. But it doesn’t end there! The screw-on caps form the perfect breeding area for the germs. They can also survive in the tiny scratches inside your bottle.

Therefore, harmful bacteria from your saliva keep on reproducing and growing inside the bottle.

3. Cleaning Bottles In Hot Water Can Also Lead To Chemical Leakage:

It’s always recommended to use warm water (and not scalding or too hot water) to wash your bottles.

Cleaning your bottles in boiling water can head you towards disaster as the plastic material is not meant to be treated that way. When you do so, harmful chemicals seep out of the plastic and leech into the water.

The best way to avoid that is to use glass or stainless steel bottles.

It’s always good to get into the habit of cleaning your water bottle daily – or at least every alternate day.

How To Disinfectant Your Water Bottle?

1. Using Vinegar:

Vinegar is a natural cleanser that is great for killing germs and bacteria. However, it doesn’t kill everything, such as the flu virus.
After washing the bottle well with soapy water, rinse and fill one-fifth of the bottle with white vinegar and the remaining portion with water. Let it stand overnight and the next morning, rinse it out.

2. Bottle Cleansing Tablets:

Many companies make water bottle cleaning tablets such as Efferdent. Just drop the tablet in your bottle filled with water and let it dissolve completely.

Wait for some time and the rinse it off. Now, your bottle is clean!

3. A Weak Bleach Solution:

If you’re too health conscious and don’t want to get affected by germs in any way, then bleach solution is the perfect partner for you.

Make a mild bleach solution by mixing 1 teaspoon of bleach powder in one-fourth cup of water. Fill this solution in your bottle and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Rinse well and allow your bottle to dry completely.

You can also use this solution to sanitize baby products such as feeding bottles, toys and clothes.

4. Wash With Warm Soapy Water:

Add a few drops of dishwashing soap in the bottle and some warm water and shake it well. Wash the bottle well with fresh water and let it dry overnight.

It’s always advised to invest in a bottle brush so that you can scrub the mouth, cap and inside of the bottle properly.

5. Use Dishwasher:

Some brands manufacture dishwasher safe bottles. Make sure your brand is dishwasher safe so that you can use it to clean your bottles.

** Make sure you wash your hands at regular intervals since the bacteria from your hands are bound to get transmitted to your bottle at some point of time.

Are you a fan of re-using water bottles? How do you usually clean your bottles? Are there any tricks that we missed out? Do let us know by commenting below!

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by Jyotsana rao via STYLECRAZE