How to clean and disinfect bottles?

Nowadays, we often here about the rule of “The Three Rs” (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) referring to the way we shop and consume all manner of products. Consequently, more and more users try to give a second life to the items that they have used in order to lengthen their useful life and avoid producing more waste than necessary. This is the case of water bottles, items that are ever present in all our homes and that are often reused, whether they are plastic, glass or stainless steel. If you feel identified with this, you must know how important it is to clean bottles... and then disinfect them properly! Keep reading and we’ll tell you how. 

Why is it important to clean reusable bottles? 

Conventional water bottles are designed to be used once only, but we often reuse them, either for recycling, saving or simply because they are more manageable than some heavy large water carafes. This can lead to health problems because of the bacteria that form on the surface and degrading of the material they are made from.

• Bacteria: many plastic and glass bottles, and some reusable jugs, are not washed or disinfected properly before using them again. This means that moisture builds up and different bacteria or micro-organisms form on the surface. Although they may look clean because they contain water, bacteria can proliferate on the inside and in any nooks at the bottom or in the lid, particularly if we drink directly from the bottle.

• Degraded plastic: single-use plastic bottles are made from a material that is specifically designed for this purpose, and therefore if they are reused regularly, they end up degrading and we can ingest plastic waste known as microplastic. On the other hand, there are water jugs, canteens or baby bottles made from plastic that are specifically designed to be reused, and although they still need to be disinfected properly, we do not run the risk of the plastic they are made from degrading and being ingested.

How to clean and disinfect bottles 

The methods we recommend as follows are suitable for reusable water bottles, since hot water and bleach can decompose single-use plastic. 

Cleaning bottles with soap and water

1. Pour a few drops of concentrated washing-up liquid into the bottle with hot water. If the design of the bottle permits such, you should use a bottle brush to clean it, otherwise close the lid and shake the bottle well so that the water reaches all the inside parts. Then clean the lid properly to get rid of any germs. 
2. Rinse well to get rid of any soap remains. 
3. Allow the bottle to air dry.

Sterilising water or baby bottles with boiling water

1. Separate all the parts of the bottle to make sure they get properly sterilised.
2. Fill a pan with water and add all the bottle parts and put it on to boil for five minutes. 
3. Remove all the parts carefully using tongs and allow them to air dry. Warning, do not dry them with a kitchen cloth so as not to transfer germs to the bottle. 

Sterilising bottles and jars with bleach

1. If it is a small bottle, mix a teaspoon of bleach in a glass of cold water and pour it into the bottle. For larger bottles use two teaspoons of bleach.
2. Shake the bottle well to mix the content and leave it to stand for a few minutes. 
3. If the shape of the bottle permits such, you should use a bottle brush to clean it, otherwise close the lid and shake the bottle well so that the water reaches all the inside parts. Then clean the lid properly to get rid of any germs.
4. Clean it with soapy water.
5. Rinse it well afterwards to get rid of any remaining bleach or soap. 
6. Allow the bottle to air dry.