Get rid of unhealthy bacteria and mould from your glass, stainless steel or plastic water bottle with our steps to clean and sanitise your bottle using what you may already have at home.
Carrying a reusable water bottle is a great way to save plastic waste, save money and importantly, stay hydrated! But, we tend to forget that our bottle needs to be cleaned to prevent the build up of bacteria and mold. Here we cover the best ways of bottle cleaning, including how often to clean it, what to use as a drink bottle cleaner, and how to remove the dreaded black mould.
We even have a self-cleaning solution—a bottle that actually cleans itself and eliminates the musty bottle smell!
First published in may 2023. Updated in January 2025 to ensure accuracy.
How often should you clean your water bottle?
Carrying a water bottle is very popular these days, which is awesome for saving the planet, but whether Frank Green, Klean Kanteen, Fressko, Cheeki, or Montiico, all drink bottles need regular cleaning!
As this experts say in this ABC article, there is a small but not a huge risk of getting sick if you are just filling up with chlorinated tap water. However, if you are leaving it for weeks, you will get a slimy build up and a funky smelling bottle.
If you use your water bottle every day, it's ideal to rinse and let it dry out overnight upside down with the lid off. Then every few days, give the bottle a good scrub out with a bottle cleaning brush, and one of the cleaning methods suggested below.
What is the best way to clean a water bottle?
Firstly, you don't need to buy packaged cleaning tablets. The best way to clean a water bottle is:
1. Daily cleaning: Use hot, soapy water and a brush to clean bottles. Fill the bottle with hot water and a drop of dishwashing liquid. Then, scrub the inside of the bottle with a bottle brush, paying close attention to the areas around the mouthpiece, lid and straw. For the straw, you will need a long straw cleaning brush! If possible, squeeze some water through the sports sipper top to rinse that too. Rinse the bottle thoroughly with hot water to remove any soap residue.
2. Turn upside down and leave to dry out completely: This is an important step because bacteria thrive in moist environments.
3. Occasional maintenance: Fill your drink bottle with around 4/5 water and 1/5 white vinegar. Only use white vinegar as apple cider and wine vinegar can leave a taste.
Or, use a mixture of bicarb soda and hot water. Simply mix a tablespoon of bicarb with hot water and shake the mixture in the bottle. Let it sit for a few hours before rinsing out with hot water.
If possible, place your clean and dry bottle or lid pieces in bright sunlight for a few hours. Sun is incredible for killing mould and bacteria.
4. Tough stains and how to sanitise: To finish your bottle clean, disinfect or sanitize with hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate (oxygen bleach). Oxygen bleach is made from sodium carbonate (also know as soda ash) and hydrogen peroxide. It works by releasing oxygen once it is exposed to water. This release of oxygen lifts stains and dirt off whatever you're cleaning. The only by-product is soda ash and it does not have any environmental hazards.
To clean with sodium percarbonate, soak your bottles, tops and straws in the sink with some hot water and a teaspoon of the powder.
For those who really want a convenient bottle cleaning tablet, check out our recipe here for Homemade Bottle Cleaning Tablets.
Common questions about bottle cleaning
How do you remove mould from a water bottle?
If you've noticed mould in your drink bottle, it's important to clean it thoroughly to prevent any potential health risks.
The best way to remove mold from a water bottle is using vinegar.
- First, empty the moldy water bottle and rinse it out with hot water.
- Fill the bottle with a mixture of half water and half white vinegar.
- Let the mixture sit in the bottle for at least an hour.
- Scrub the inside of the bottle with a bottle brush, and rinse.
More commonly, the plastic lid and silicone parts get mouldy black spots. In this case:
- Submerge them in undiluted white vinegar.
- Leave to sit overnight.
- Scrub thoroughly and rinse.
If the mold or fungus is particularly stubborn, you can also use a mixture of bicarb soda and vinegar. First, sprinkle baking soda inside the bottle or over the lid, then add vinegar. The mixture will fizz, so be sure to let it sit for a few hours before rinsing it out with hot water and scrubbing with a bottle brush.
Lastly, time in the sun will help too.
Now, if you're coming here because your had that “oh no… my water bottle has mould and I drank from it” moment, don’t panic.
For most healthy people, accidentally drinking from a mouldy bottle isn’t likely to cause serious harm. But, of course, it is a sign your bottle needs a proper clean!
The best thing you can do now is exactly what this guide walks you through:
give your bottle a thorough clean and sanitise it properly, then make sure it’s fully dry before using it again.
If you start to feel unwell, it’s always best to check in with a healthcare professional. 😊
How to clean plastic water bottles?
Follow all the same steps, but importantly, use a soft cleaning brush. A brush with sharp bristles can scratch the plastic surface, causing the release of microplastics and other chemicals, and an irregular surface that tends to catch more dirt.
Plastic bottles tend to absorb more taste and smell from the liquids, unlike impervious glass and stainless steel bottles. Therefore your bottle may always smell a little tainted.
High quality very strong plastics such as Tritan are easier to keep clean smelling.
Can you clean a water bottle in the dishwasher?
Many reusable water bottles are safe to clean in the dishwasher, but it's important to first check the manufacturer's instructions.
Some bottles have parts that are not dishwasher safe, such as straws or lids with rubber seals. Plastic parts should be placed on the top rack.
Some coloured bottles or bottles with printed designs will come off in the dishwasher, so they should be hand washed.
What you need to clean a water bottle with what you have at home
- Dishwashing liquid
- Bottle cleaning brush
- White vinegar
- Bicarb soda
- Oxygen bleach
Our DIY bottle cleaning tablets could do the trick too.
Find all our bottle brushes here >
What is the easiest bottle to keep clean?
Lastly, it is worth mentioning that glass water bottles and stainless steel bottles are much easier to keep clean than plastic bottles. Over time, plastic starts to break down and the surface becomes compromised, making it perfect for harbouring bacteria.
Dee Carter, a Professor in Microbiology at the University of Sydney, quoted in an abc.net.au article:
Self cleaning bottle!
Are you finding that your water bottle stinks? The LARQ self cleaning water bottle is the world's first water bottle that purifies water and neutralises 'bottle stink' on-the-go. The UV-C light technology built into the lid, eradicates up to 99.99% of bacteria and 99.99% of viruses—meaning you can even sterilise water found in streams while out hiking and camping. It's the same UV light technology that hospitals use for sterilising medical implements.
Larq bottles are stainless steel so even better without plastic. Choose from Larq insulated bottle that is 500ml capacity, or the more lightweight single wall 700ml uninsulated. To learn more, see our Larq Frequently Asked Questions.
