Manky water bottles are not cool. They harbour all kinds of lovely bacteria and germs, and even viruses. That is not to say throw those lovely companions in the bin. Those of you who know me, will have heard one of my sermons on the importance of water as brain food. It helps you study, and it is good for your mind, body, emotional health and everything else. Do not worry, I am not about to start the lecture again. I will just say that we are 60% water, and our brains are 73% water, so let’s keep it that way (https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects ) .
One of the easiest ways to keep ourselves topped up is to have our own water bottle. If we rely too much on the nearest café (what is that? Oh, yeah, I remember those) or buying plastic bottles in the supermarket (do not get me started) or local shop (are you a millionaire, reader!) we forget or do not have time. A water bottle also helps us to keep track of what we are drinking in a day – the amount we should drink varies wildly depending on how active we are, climate and so on.
But the bottle can be harmful if we just grab it in the morning, give it a swish and fill it up. It is only us using it, I know, but it still gets bacterial build up from the air, from being damp, from being in dark places, or in contact with other materials – your bag, the car seat, the floor, the desk, your hands and so on.
To keep looking after yourself, stay motivated during this last haul towards the summer break, and to give yourself the best chance to pass those pesky assignments, here’s how to get those bottles clean. Plus any furtive or unanounced zoom calls from suspicious parents will leave them calm and not feeling they’ll jump in the car and risk a fine just to come and nag you about cleaning your room!
To clean plastic bottles. Try these ideas:
- Hot soapy water, like the regular washing up – boiling water on plastic will melt it. Using a sourer will scratch it and make little hotels for visiting bacteria, dirt, and nasties. It also will not remove the drip marks it that’s what you were trying to do.
- Sterilising fluids used to clean baby equipment is good if you are concerned about how clean your water bottle is or you have been neglecting it. Rinse very well, as these are often bleach based – follow the instructions carefully.
- Sodium bicarbonate, very cheap if you ask for BP at the chemist, gets rid of smells. However, rub it against plastic and you will get tiny little scratches, creating those lovely little hotels for your bacteria clients.
- Clean the bottle and lid using hot soapy water, then add about three tablespoons of white vinegar and some hot (not boiling) water. Soak all over night and rinse in the morning.
- White vinegar and sodium bicarbonate in hot water then into the bottle – do not put the lid on as it can fizz up. Let it soak, clean with a soft brush, or wrap a cloth round a brush to reach the inside. Mind those scratches.
Lids can be cleaned separately by soaking in white wine and sodium bicarbonate mixed with hot water.
Rinse and whichever method you use, let the bottle and lid dry naturally – wiping it with a gross tea towel that has seen better days just means you start again!
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