How to Clean a Moldy Water Bottle

Last Updated: August 21, 2022 References Approved

Drinking from a re-usable water bottle is a great way to save the environment and save money. However, when they get moldy, cleaning the re-usable bottles is not easy. Here is a great way to get rid of the mold!

Steps

1
Give it a good rinse with hot water. If the mold is hard or dried on, you might want to fill it with hot water and a little bit of dish soap and let it sit for about 20 minutes.^{[1]
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2
Pour in 1/3 cup dry, uncooked rice and 1/3 cup baking soda. The rice will remove any dried on particles while the baking soda will disinfect and remove odor.^{[2]
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3
Fill the bottle halfway with hot water and add a dollop of dish soap
4
Screw on the lid tightly, and shake vigorously. Make sure that if your bottle has a flip-top or pop up top that you hold it closed.
5
While holding the bottle over a sink, slowly unscrew the lid (you will have the same reaction as if you had just shaken a bottle of soda, so be careful to prevent an explosive mess)
6
Pour out the contents and rinse the bottle well. Stand upside down in a dish rack to let it dry, then give it another rinse before putting it away.^{[3]
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- To disinfect the bottle after cleaning, use a mild bleach and water solution. Keep the bottle in it for at least 15 minutes or until it is dry and rinse it out.^{[4]
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- Keep it in distilled vinegar or hydrogen peroxide for about 10 minutes or until it is dry and rinse it out.^{[5]
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- Or spray peroxide and distilled vinegar between uses.^{[6]
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Community Q&A
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Question

Is mold in a water bottle dangerous?

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Most of the time, drinking a little mold won’t hurt you—although it might taste gross. However, if you have a weakened immune system, there’s a chance it could make you really sick. Some people also have allergic reactions to certain types of mold.
Question

Can stainless steel water bottles get mold?

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Stainless steel is mold resistant, but not totally mold-proof. If food residue, dirt, or mineral deposits build up inside the bottle, mold can grow on the dirty surface. So, to prevent mold completely, you’ll still need to clean your bottle regularly.
Question

Does vinegar kill mold?

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Yes, vinegar can kill many species of mold. Pour equal parts water and white vinegar into your bottle and let it sit overnight. The next day, scrub your bottle thoroughly with soap and hot water. Rinse it thoroughly to get out any lingering vinegar taste.

Warnings

Pressure will build up inside the bottle as you are shaking it, due to the baking soda. Be very careful to aim it away from people and open it slowly to prevent an explosion.

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