How to Clean a Stainless Steel Bottle in 3 Ways

Why you should keep your bottle clean 

Reusable stainless steel bottles are the way of the future as one of the biggest ways to help reduce single use plastic, so, of course, you want to keep it properly maintained so it can last as long as possible! 

 As these bottles have a very moist environment it’s easy for mold and bacteria such as E. coli, which can lead to food poisoning and gastroenteritis, to build up within both the bottle and the lid. Whether you’re using the bottle for coffee, hot chocolate, water or iced tea, it’s highly recommended to properly clean and sanitise the bottle after every use.

Daily maintenance of your stainless steel bottle

If you’re using your stainless steel water bottle every day, there are a few daily tasks you should do to keep your bottle in top condition. After using it, unscrew the lid and run it through the dishwasher. All of our tumblers, lids and straws are completely dishwasher safe. Make sure the lid is completely dry before putting it back on the bottle though so it doesn’t become a breeding ground for germs!

Also, wash the bottle out thoroughly using warm water and soap. To get into those tricky nooks and crannies you can use a cloth or a small brush to scrub the inside and remove any build up. Rinse the bottle out thoroughly and again leave it to dry completely before using it again.

3 methods of washing your stainless steel bottle by hand

If, after washing it every day, your bottle still isn’t as fresh as it could be, try our top 3 methods of washing and sanitising your stainless steel bottle.

1. Distilled white vinegar

Vinegar is a fantastic natural cleaning agent that will help to disinfect and sanitise your bottle.

• Fill the bottle with equal parts water and vinegar.
• Put the lid on and give the bottle a few good shakes, swirling the mixture around.
• Let it soak overnight and then rinse out with warm water the next day. 

2. Baking soda

Use baking soda for an extremely thorough clean to get rid of any grime and mildew that may have built up inside.

• Put a teaspoon amount of baking soda into the bottle.
• Fill the rest up with water.
• Scrub the inside of the lid with the baking soda solution too.
• Let the bottle sit overnight and then rinse it out with water the next morning.

3. 3% hydrogen peroxide

If there’s an unpleasant smell in your water bottle that just won’t budge, then using 3% hydrogen peroxide is your best option.

• First clean the bottle as normal with soap and warm water.
• Put around 60ml of hydrogen peroxide in the bottle.
• Put the lid back on and shake the bottle vigorously.
• Then pour out the hydrogen peroxide and give the bottle a quick rinse with water.

Best equipment to clean your bottle with

Washing your stainless steel water bottle is a quick and simple process that doesn’t require a lot of equipment. In fact, you’ll no doubt already have everything you need already laying around your kitchen! You can use a cloth to clean both the inside and the outside of the bottle, but, if you really want to be able to get in those hard-to-reach places then the best piece of equipment to use would be a water bottle brush.

Water bottle brushes are narrow, flexible brushes with long handles allowing easy access inside the bottle. Their soft bristles are perfect to use for stainless steel bottles as they won’t scratch the inside, unlike other products such as metal scrub sponges and wire brushes.

How to clean your bottle brush

After a few uses you’ll need to also clean your bottle brush too so no germs can build up and no residue or scents of previous drinks will linger. 

• First fill the sink with hot water and add 1tbsp of liquid soap.
• Let your brush soak in the water for about 10/15 minutes first as this will loosen any product that may be stuck to it.
• Gently separate and comb through the bristles to remove any dirt particles and ensure the soap covers the entire brush.
• Rinse the brush off in the hot water and leave it on the side to dry.
• If you want to go that extra step farther and sanitise your brush, place it in a clean bowl and pour hydrogen peroxide over it to kill any lingering germs.
• Leave the hydrogen peroxide on for another 10/15 minutes before rinsing it and letting it dry.

If you’ve also got a tumbler take a look at our top tips for the best ways to clean your stainless steel tumbler.