How often should you clean your water bottle?

You and your reusable water bottle go just about everywhere together, from the gym to work and back home as you attempt to meet your daily water intake goal. In between all of those times you grasp, sip and repeat, how often are you actually cleaning your water bottle?

In a perfect world, that answer would be every day. Ryan Holmes, director of product development at HydroJug, says, "You should treat your reusable water bottle just like any other dishware you own and clean it thoroughly and frequently. Daily cleanings are ideal.”

Holmes shares a few tips for the best (and easiest) ways to clean different types of water bottles from plastic to stainless steel.

While there are a variety of reusable water bottles on the market, the products to clean them all are mostly universal. Holmes says the the best cleaning agents include white vinegar, baking soda and soap.

The tools you use to clean your water bottle are just as important. “To make sure you’re getting the hard-to-reach areas of your bottle, the best thing to do is use a bottle brush,” he advises.

“A lot of bacteria and mildew can gather in the small crevices of your bottle so it is important you are reaching those areas," Holmes adds. He's not wrong. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, mold can grow on damp surfaces within 24-48 hours.

For your traditional polypropylene (plastic) water bottles, Holmes offers three cleaning methods.

If your water bottle has a straw, Holmes emphasizes the importance of remembering to clean it regularly because the straw can harbor bacteria.

While there are specific straw-cleaning brushes, he says if you don't have one on hand, a pipe cleaner will get the job done.

"Pour dish soap directly on to the pipe cleaner brush and push it through your straw. Once you have scrubbed the inside of your straw, you will rinse thoroughly. If your straw is wide, use two pipe cleaners twisted together,” he suggests.

When cleaning the bottle itself, you can typically follow any of the methods from above.

Holmes says stainless steel bottles can be cleaned with dish soap, hot water and a cleaning brush, but he also offers another option if you're looking to achieve a deeper clean.

"You can put 2 tablespoons of distilled (white) vinegar in your bottle and fit [it] halfway with warm water," he guides. "Put the cap on and give it a good shake. Use your brush to give it a good scrub, then rinse it with water and leave it to dry completely before using."

Vinegar is a multi-purpose staple that can be used for cooking and various household tasks including cleaning microwaves, washing machines and garbage disposals, unclogging drains and even replacing fabric softener.

A mild bleach solution mixed inside your water bottle is one way to sterilize it, Holmes says. This option from Ecolover is touted as a non-chlorine, biodegradable and color-safe bleach that can be used throughout the home.

Allow the fragrant scent of honeysuckle to tickle your nose while hand-washing your water bottle. Don’t forget to get the exterior!

For water bottles that are dishwasher-safe, these pods eliminate the guesswork that comes with measuring out liquid detergent.

For less than $6, you get 10 straw brushes — that's one for the whole family (and maybe even a few friends). They measure 8.2 inches long and two-fifths inches in diameter, so cleaning any straw will be a breeze.

With this set, you won't have to worry about not having the right size brush to clean your bottle. It comes with two bottle body brushes, two straw brushes and a smaller brush that's perfect for cleaning lids and spouts.

According to the brand, this silicone brush is dishwasher-safe, so you can get some extra peace of mind knowing your cleaning tool is also thoroughly cleaned. Plus, it comes in fun colors like orange and lime green.

Holmes suggests a mild bleach solution (1 teaspoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water) to cleanse your bottle. Let the solution sit for 5-15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterward.

“If you aren’t cleaning your bottles, you could be exposing yourself to mold, mildew and other potentially harmful bacteria,” Holmes says. The chance of getting sick aside, no one wants to unintentionally drink something moldy.

Knowing where to store them is also an important step to maintaining proper water bottle hygiene.

“It is always best to store your bottle in a clean and dry place. Most cupboards and pantries are usually the perfect place,” Holmes advises.