Environmental awareness has long imposed that in the market we can find solutions for daily life without the need to abuse in the use of waste such as plastic. A clear example is the stainless steel bottle that, although it can be reused and also serves as thermos , can cause problems as soon as we notice that it emits an odor. To avoid this, we must ensure a good cleaning as we explain below.
How to clean a stainless steel bottle and get rid of bad smell
For years we have not hesitated to reuse or refill plastic bottles that previously contained water, but these can easily end up deteriorating so a better solution is the steel bottle that has been on the market for years, but few people know how to use it properly. and more when it comes to cleaning them.
These containers for water and other beverages have a significantly lower impact on the environment, in addition they have the enormous advantage of keeping the contents at the initial temperature for many hours. However, after having used them several times they can emit a bad smell and not only that, but like any other type of bottle that we use over and over again, they can end up accumulating mold, bacteria and other potentially harmful microorganisms. The solution to avoid both the bad smell and the accumulation of bacteria goes through the same thought that is applied to any glass that we use at home. Would we think of drinking from the same glass all the time without washing it?
But, how to clean our steel bottle well without damaging it? For those who use it every day, a daily cleaning is essential, however at least once a week a deeper intervention is necessary.
The “quick” cleaning of our steel bottle can be done with different methods. One of the most popular, involves the use of white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar). Once the bottle is rinsed with warm water and the content has been emptied, a couple of tablespoons of vinegar must be put inside. After it has been closed with its cap, it should be shaken vigorously to allow the vinegar to distribute over the entire internal surface. Once reopened, you can add warm / hot water halfway and with a bottle brush (often sold together with the bottle, but can be purchased separately online) the inside should be scrubbed well . A regular sponge can also be used for this operation, but the access is usually too narrow and therefore it is more convenient to use a brush. After this procedure, the bottle should be rinsed a couple of times with hot water and then left to dry in the dish rack upside down.
Instead of vinegar, it is also possible to use baking soda ; in this case, the bottle must be filled and allowed to rest for a few minutes , before rinsing. If you don’t have white vinegar or baking soda available (which can also be combined for a more thorough cleaning), you can use citric acid or a few drops of dish soap. Also in this case, the bottle should be filled halfway with warm / hot water and shaken well several times. After draining the water with detergent, rinse with hot water and allow to dry.
As for the cap, it can be cleaned with a sponge soaked in water and detergent, also using a smaller brush to reach the less exposed parts. And a simple soapy scrubber can also be helpful in cleaning the “head” of the jar.
How to deep clean the steel bottle
At least once a week it is advisable to thoroughly clean our steel thermos. The first thing you should do is fill the container with boiling water and let it steep overnight . The high temperature of the water will neutralize any bacteria, mold or other potentially harmful microorganisms . The same procedure should be done for the lid, which can be left in a small container of boiling water overnight. The next day you can fill the bottle halfway with boiling water and a few drops of detergent and then proceed with the brush to scrub the entire internal surface. Once the operation is finished, we close the bottle, shake vigorously, empty and rinse with hot water , then just let it dry in the dish drainer until the next use.
Alternatively, you can fill the bottle with 1/5 vinegar and the remaining 4/5 with water and let it sit overnight, then proceed with rinsing. In general, washing in the dishwasher is not recommended for the vast majority of steel bottles and if you want to do it, it is better that we read the manufacturer’s instructions well first.
