To avoid plastic bottles, I tote a reusable water bottle to the gym. Mine is stainless steel, and sports the logo of my favorite charity, Cycle for Survival on the outside. Using a metal or glass bottle is better for the environment, and for your health. That is, if it’s kept clean.
Although I wash it out every night, sometimes it needs a little more love to keep it germ free.
Before leaving for a short vacation, I left it filled with water and baking soda to disinfect it. When I went to rinse it out, the water inside the bottle was the color of tea. Yuck! To completely clean your bottle and kill the germs that might be harboring in the bottom, try a few of these simple tips:
Soap and Water: Of course, good old soap and water is always a safe bet. Add a few drops of dish soap and let it soak.
If you ever use the bottle with flavored water, or other drinks, it might need one of the other methods to remove the taste and coloring left in the bottom of the bottle.
Baking Soda: As mentioned above, baking soda and water are a great way to clean the bottle. Add a nice amount of baking soda and fill the bottle with water. Give it a few shakes and let it sit.
Vinegar: A vinegar and water mixture is also an effective way to disinfect your bottle. If you are really adventurous, add a little baking soda for some fizzing action. ( Be sure to use white vinegar!)
Denture cleaning tablets: Drop one denture cleaning tablet into a full bottle of water and let it do it’s magic.
Whatever method you choose, be sure to thoroughly rinse the bottle to get any residue out, and to avoid having an unpleasant flavor when you add water. Pour out any excess and allow it to air dry completely.
Don’t forget to wash the cap and outside of the bottle as well.
photo:Glasshouse Images
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram and Pinterest too!
Indigo jones 