Here's How Often You Need To Clean Your Reusable Water Bottles

Convenient, colorful, and environmentally friendly, reusable water bottles help you stay hydrated throughout the day, but how often do you need to clean your reusable water bottle? There are so many positives to using reusable water bottles. They are better for the environment than single-use plastic bottles, they keep your water cooler for longer, and they are durable. On the downside, reusable water bottles can also collect loads of nasty bacteria and germs, and they can become really gross if you aren't cleaning them often.

It's fairly common to go a few days or even weeks without cleaning your reusable water bottle; after all, it probably looks clean enough, and it's definitely more convenient not to wash it every day. However, Food Network recommended cleaning your reusable water bottle after every use or every day. Because bacteria like to breed in dark, damp environments, your reusable water bottle is the perfect breeding ground. If you skip washing your water bottle, you are letting bacteria grow more, and the inside of your bottle can actually get slimy and grow mold or mildew.

Even though it's easier to skip cleaning your reusable water bottle, it's a much safer option to clean it daily, and there are a few ways you can clean them. According to Apartment Therapy, one way to clean your reusable water bottle is to run it through the dishwasher. Since not all reusable water bottles are dishwasher safe, you may have to wash yours by hand.

To wash your bottle by hand, remove and take apart the lid and straw. Then scrub the inside of the bottle using a bottle brush and dish soap until it seems clean. You can then use the same brush to clean the lid, making sure to clean all the little spaces. Use a straw brush, a thin brush that fits perfectly into that long small space, to clean the straw. This will help clean that hard-to-reach area. After you rinse all the bottle parts, let everything air dry before you use it again. Cleaning your reusable water bottle every day may take a little effort, but it is the safest and cleanest option.