How to Clean Dirty Water Bottles Quickly and Effectively

A reusable water bottle is a must-have for anyone looking to stay hydrated and reduce plastic waste by ditching single-use water bottles. They’re easy to refill and sip throughout the day, but how often do you think about cleaning them? How dirty can a reusable water bottle get if it’s just filled with water? Turns out, they can get pretty dirty.

Water bottles can harbor a lot of bacteria and have the potential to grow mold, according to Dr. Brynna Connor, MD, physician and wellness ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com.

“Mold thrives in moist environments, and leftover water bottles are the perfect breeding ground,” says Dr. Connor. “Even airborne mold spores can settle on your water bottle and then grow.”

That said, cleaning your water pitcher is just as important as any other glassware or dinnerware you use. Here are some detailed instructions on how to clean your water pitcher.

How often should you really clean your water pitcher?

How often you should clean your water pitcher can depend on how often you use it and what types of drinks you put in it. But as a general rule: If you use your water pitcher every day, you should clean it every day.

At a minimum, the bottle, straw, lid or cap should be washed with soap and water and rinsed regularly. A deep cleaning should be done at least once a week.

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8 Items You Need to Clean Your Baby Bottles

• Mild dish soap
• Warm/Hot Water
• Bottle brush
• Straw broom
• Distilled white vinegar
• Leavening
• Big bowl
• Fabric (optional)

How to clean your water bottle

Cleaning the water pitcher is extremely simple and can be done in four easy steps.

1. Empty the bottle and rinse it thoroughly. Pour out any remaining liquid and rinse the water tank with warm water.
2. Remove the water tank. It’s important to disassemble your water bottle before attempting to clean it to ensure you’re properly cleaning each part, says Marilee Nelson, cleaning and environmental expert and co-founder of Branch Basics. Separate the bottle from the lid, along with the straw and spout, if your bottle has one.
3. Scrub with a brush. Scrub the bottle and its parts with liquid dish soap and a long bottle brush. Make sure to scrub the mouthpiece and the bottom of the bottle.
4. Rinse and dry. Rinse the water tank with warm or hot water until there is no soap residue. Then let it air dry or wipe it with a towel. Once dry, you can reinstall the water tank.

How to Deep Clean Your Water Pitcher

Daily cleaning can help keep your carafe in good condition, but you should deep clean it at least once a week. To deep clean your carafe, you’ll need hot water, baking soda, and a carafe brush. For mold, odors, or stains, you’ll also need distilled white vinegar.

1. Wash. Rinse the water tank with warm/hot water.
2. Add baking soda. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the jar and add warm water. Shake well and let sit overnight. At this step, you can also use equal parts distilled white vinegar and warm water to remove stubborn stains, odors, or mold.
3. Scrub with a brush. The next day, use a brush to clean the bottle, scrub the inside of the bottle, the mouthpiece and other parts, then pour out the solution.
4. Scrub with soap and water. Scrub the bottle with dish soap and hot water.
5. Rinse and dry. Rinse the bottle with hot water and let it dry.

How to clean straws and water bottle caps

When cleaning your water pitcher, you need to make sure that you clean every part of the pitcher, including the lid and straw. To clean the straw and lid of your water pitcher, you will need hot water, liquid dish soap, a small brush, a straw brush, and distilled white vinegar or baking soda.

1. Remove the straw and cap. Remove the straw and cap from the water bottle. Many water bottles have a soft plastic or rubber coating on the cap. If possible, remove it for a thorough cleaning.
2. Rinse first. Rinse the straw and cap with hot water to remove any residue.
3. Soak in cleaning solution. In a large bowl, create a cleaning solution made from warm water and 2 tablespoons baking soda or distilled white vinegar with warm water in equal parts. Soak the straw and cap for at least 15 minutes, but ideally overnight.
4. Scrub with a brush. After soaking, use a brush to clean the lid, including the gaps and seal, and the outside of the straw. Use a straw brush to clean the inside of the straw.
5. Wash. Wash the straw and cap with hot soapy water to remove any residue.
6. Dried. Allow parts to air dry before reassembling the water tank.

Additional tips to keep your reusable bottles clean

• It’s important to remove all parts of the lid when cleaning, Nelson says, as they can harbor mold and bacteria.
• There are bottle brushes designed specifically for different bottle shapes and crevices to make cleaning easier.
• According to Dr. Connor, if you notice any significant signs of wear, cracking, or discoloration, you should invest in a new water bottle.
• Make sure you let the water tank dry completely before reinstalling it. Residual moisture can cause mold and bacteria to grow.