Cyclist-How to clean your water bottle

Your innocent appearing plastic water bottle is a biological incubator for bacteria and mould.

A lot of bottle linings have inverted cavities or other odd shapes that make them awkward to clean properly. Whenever you store your bottle with the lid on, new life-forms can grow in these dark, moist environment. The last thing you want in the middle of a long ride is to take a big mouthful of unpleasant bacteria ridden sludgy water.

There is also the disgusting taste, the bacteria or mould can make you sick. Here’s how to have a clean start each time you reach for your water bottle before you hit the road on your bike.

Washing Your Water Bottle:

Bleach Method:

Dilute 1 teaspoon of bleach and 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a 4 litres of water. Fill up your water bottle with the solution and allow it sit overnight. Following morning, thoroughly rinse your bottle. Allow it to dry out upside-down on a clean dish rack. Once it has dry out, store it in a cupboard with the lid off until the next use.

Deep freezer method:

This method is for those of you with room in your freezer. Wash off your bottle in warm soapy water. Rinse it well, and then stick it in the freezer till you are ready to use it once again. Seemingly most bacteria and mould won’t endure the cold treatment.

White Vinegar Method:

Wash your bottle in warm soapy water. Rinse well. Fill 1/5 to 1/4 of your bottle with white vinegar and the difference with water. Allow to sit overnight. Next morning thoroughly rinse your bottle. Allow it to dry upside-down on a clean dish rack. Once it’s dry, store it in a cupboard with the lid off till next exercise.

If you have any other methods to keep your water bottle clean please let me know.

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Tags: bacteria, bike, bike water bottle, bottle, cycling water bottle, cyclist water bottle, water, water bottle