How to Clean a Dirty Water Bottle Fast and Effectively

A reusable water bottle is a must for anyone who wants 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 of cleaning them? How dirty can a reusable bottle get if it’s only filled with water? Turns out, they can get pretty filthy.

According to Dr. Brynna Connor, MD, a physician and healthcare ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com, water bottles can carry a lot of bacteria and potentially grow mold.

“Mold thrives in moist environments and a water bottle with leftover water is the perfect breeding ground,” Dr. Connor says. “It’s even possible for mold spores in the air to land on your water bottle and subsequently grow.” 

That being said, it’s important to clean your water bottle, just like any other piece of glassware or dinnerware you use. Here’s the ultimate guide for how to clean your water bottle.

How Often Should You Actually Clean Your Water Bottle? 

How often you should clean your water bottle can depend on how often you use it and what drinks you’re putting in it. But as a general rule: If you’re using your water bottle every day, you should clean it every day.

At the minimum, the bottle, straw, lid, or cap should be cleaned with soap, water, and a rinse regularly. Deep cleanings should be done at least once a week.

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8 Items You Need to Clean Your Bottle 

• Mild dish soap
• Warm/hot water
• Bottle brush
• Straw brush
• Distilled white vinegar
• Baking soda
• Large bowl
• Cloth (optional)

How to Clean Your Water Bottle

Cleaning your water bottle is super simple and can be done in four easy steps. 

1. Empty and rinse the bottle. Empty out the remaining liquids and give the water bottle a rinse with warm water. 
2. Take the water bottle apart. It’s important to disassemble the water bottle before trying to clean it to make sure you’re properly cleaning each part, Marilee Nelson, cleaning, environmental, expert and co-founder of Branch Basics, says. Separate the bottle from the lid, along with the straw and spout, if your bottle has them. 
3. Scrub with a brush. Scrub the bottle and its components with liquid dish soap and a long bottle brush. Make sure you scrub the mouthpiece and the bottom of the water bottle.  
4. Rinse and dry. Rinse the water bottle with warm or hot water until there’s no soap residue left. Then, leave the bottle out to air dry or use a cloth. Once it’s dry, you can reassemble the water bottle.

How to Deep Clean Your Water Bottle 

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

1. Rinse. Rinse the water bottle with warm/hot water.
2. Add baking soda. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the bottle and add warm water. Shake and let it sit overnight. In this step, you can also use equal parts distilled white vinegar and warm water for extra tough stains, smells, or mold. 
3. Scrub with a brush. The next day, scrub the inside of the bottle with a bottle brush, along with the mouthpiece and other parts, and pour the solution out.
4. Scrub with soap and water. Scrub the bottle with liquid dish soap and hot water. 
5. Rinse and dry. Rinse the bottle with hot water and air dry. 

How to Clean Water Bottle Straws and Lids

When cleaning your water bottle, you want to make sure to clean all parts of it, including the lid and straw. To clean water bo ttle straws and lids, you’re going to need hot water, liquid dish soap, a small brush, a straw brush, and distilled white vinegar or baking soda.   

1. Disassemble the straw and lid. Take apart the straw and lid from the water bottle. A lot of water bottles have a soft plastic or rubber seal on the lid. If possible, take this apart to get a thorough clean. 
2. Pre-rinse. Pre-rinse the straw and lid parts with hot water to remove residue. 
3. Soak in a cleaning solution. In a large bowl, create a cleaning solution made with warm water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda or equal parts distilled white vinegar and warm water. Let the straw and lid parts soak for at least 15 minutes, but ideally overnight.
4. Scrub with brushes. After soaking, use a brush to clean the lid, including the crevices and seal, and the outside of the straw. Use a straw brush to clean inside the straw. 
5. Rinse. Rinse the straw and lid parts with hot, soapy water to remove any residue.
6. Dry. Let the parts air dry before reassembling the water bottle. 

Additional Tips for Keeping Your Reusable Bottles Clean

• It’s crucial to remove all pieces of the lid when cleaning, as they could be harboring mold and bacteria, Nelson says. 
• There are bottle brushes made for different water bottle shapes and crevices that can make cleaning even easier. 
• If you notice any significant signs of wear and tear, cracks, or permanent staining, you should invest in a new water bottle, according to Dr. Connor.
• Make sure you air dry your water bottle completely before putting it back together. Locking in moisture can cause mold and bacteria to grow.