I never leave my home without taking one of the best water bottles with me, whether I’m meeting a friend, going to the gym or heading into work. And I know I’m not alone in my habit of always having a water bottle by my side. Apart from keeping me hydrated, it also saves me a fortune on expensive take-out drinks.
But one problem I have is keeping my water bottles clean to avoid them becoming a health hazard. While I’ve already shared how to clean a water bottle using a deep-cleaning method, I recently came across a clever cleaning hack you’ll want to try.
The Healthy Plate shares the ingenious hack on Instagram, but be warned. It might gross you out.
How to get your water bottle squeaky clean
“Think your bottle is clean? Think again,” says The Healthy Plate.
“Many people wash bottles with detergent, but sometimes the soap can stay trapped inside. You may think it’s rinsed out… but residue can still remain.”
I think this is a particular problem with metal water bottles, as, unlike plastic versions, you can't see what’s lurking at the bottom.
So, how does the Healthy Plate suggest you remove the grime inside your water bottle? You may be surprised to learn that, unlike many cleaning hacks, this water bottle cleaning method doesn’t include baking soda. Instead, it involves a rather unusual pantry ingredient that you serve as a carbohydrate with your meals.
The Healthy Plate suggests using raw rice to clean water bottles, but it’s not meant to be used on its own.
3 steps to a clean water bottle
Here’s what the Healthy Plate suggests you do:
1. Add raw rice, salt, vinegar, and a little water into the bottle.
2. Close the lid and shake it well.
3. Rinse with clean water and see the difference.
The Healthy Plate doesn't specify quantities to add to your water bottle, but I recommend adding a tablespoon of raw rice and one teaspoon of salt, then a tablespoon of white vinegar and a tablespoon of water.
So, what does it all do? “The rice works like a natural scrub and helps remove dirt and residue stuck inside the bottle,” says the Healthy Plate.
And you’ll see, if you watch the Instagram reel above, that this combo of ingredients can shift an unpleasant amount of dirt.
What's more, it's not only a simple, cheap way to keep your water bottles clean and hygienic, but also a great way to extend their lifespan.
