Delight Jar – Page 12

The fight against plastic is in full swing, with reusable metal water bottles and travel mugs keeping excess plastic out of landfills while also sating you money on plastic bottles. But, what do you do when your metal water bottle gets dirty and grimy? How do you properly clean it? This article will take a look at how you can quickly and easily clean your metal water bottle or mug. Read on to find out more.What You Need to Clean a Metal Water BottleThe best cleaning tools to get your metal water bottle clean is a soft bristled brush or a non-abrasive pipe cleaner.The best cleaning solutions to use are a denture cleaning tablet mixed with a cup of water, 2 tablespoons or apple cider or white vinegar mixed into 1 cup of water, or water and 2 teaspoons baking soda mixed into a thick paste.You will also need disposable latex gloves or reusable kitchen gloves.Some Things to Keep in MindStainless steel and aluminum metal water bottles can scratch easily, so you want to avoid using any abrasive cleaning tools or harsh cleaning solutions on the exterior of your water bottle, especially if your water bottle is colored aluminum. The silver metal located below the color will eventually start showing through if you use abrasive tools or harsh chemicals.Some people are tempted to use bleach when cleaning their metal water bottle, but this should be avoided. Never use bleach in any of your reusable metal water bottles or travel mugs. This is because it can be dangerous if you do not handle it correctly and can also cause damage to the imprints and colors.Should You Use an Aluminum or Stainless Steel Bottle?As a general statement, using any reusable water bottle – aluminum, stainless steel, or plastic – is better than buying plastic bottled water and throwing the container away, adding to the plastic problem we are currently facing. When choosing between stainless steel and aluminum, though, we recommend stainless steel due to liner issues in aluminum bottles. The liners in aluminum bottles often contain harmful BPA and chemicals.How to Clean Metal Water BottleYou need to start by choosing which cleaning solution you are going to use from the above choices and get it ready. We highly recommend using vinegar as it is great at removing stains, but if you do not like the smell of vinegar, we recommend using the water and baking soda mixture instead. Follow these steps once you have your solution:Pour your cleaning solution into your metal water bottlePlace the lid on and give your bottle a shakeLet the solution sit in the bottle for 15 minutesPut on your glovesTake your cleaning tool (see above) and clean your water bottle thoroughlyRinse and allow to dryWhat About the Dishwasher?While dishwashers are very convenient, only some metal water bottles are top-rack dishwasher safe. But, no matter which reusable metal water bottle you have, you should always wash it by hand rather than using the dishwasher. Most metal water bottles lose their imprint and color integrity when they are washed inside a dishwasher Step by Step Guide; How to Clean a Metal Water Bottle Step by Step Guide; How to Clean a Metal Water Bottle .How Often Should You Clean a Metal Water Bottle? The answer to this questions differs based on how often you use your water bottle as well as what you use it for. If you use your bottle daily and only use it for water, they washing it once a week should be more than enough.If you use your bottle only a few times a week and you keep the lid off in between uses, you should only need to clean it around once a month.However, if you regularly place tea, coffee, or sugared or cordial drinks in your metal water bottle or travel mug, you need to rinse it thoroughly every day and wash it twice a week.If you know you will not be using your water bottle for an extended amount of time (longer than a week or two), make sure you wash your water bottle before storing it away.FINAL VERDICTCleaning your metal water bottle is a quick and simple process that will take just a few minutes and very little effort. Bear in mind that leaving water or drinks in your water bottle without washing it can breed all sorts of germs. Regularly rinsing and washing your water bottle will ensure that you always have a clean and hygienic place to carry your drinks.