Poorly maintained, a bottle can become a real breeding ground for bacteria. It is not enough to pass it under water for an effective result.
The use of water bottles has become widespread in recent years. More ecological than water bottles, they are also more economical and allow you to always have water with you. However, maintaining these containers is essential to avoid the accumulation of bacteria from the mouth, hands or simply the environment. These bacteria can cause intestinal or skin infections, which can sometimes be serious. Among them, we can find Escherichia coli (E. coli), staphylococcus aureus and even salmonella.
Washing a bottle can be tricky, especially when drink residue accumulates at the bottom, forming deposits that are sometimes difficult to reach with a simple brush or sponge. Many make the mistake of simply rinsing it before refilling it. This is not a good idea!
You can of course wash your bottle every day with hot water and soap, but the result is not always effective because the sponge or brush cannot reach the corners and the bottom of the bottle, especially if the neck is narrow. To remove encrusted residue and bacteria inside a bottle, one method is to use rice. It’s certainly surprising, but it’s really effective!
Rice is a natural ingredient with many facets. Its small hard grains will act as gentle abrasives, which makes it particularly useful for reaching inaccessible corners of the bottle. Unlike chemicals, it does not damage surfaces and leaves no potentially toxic residue. In addition, rice is an ingredient that we often have on hand in the kitchen, making this method practical and economical.
Here’s how to clean your water bottle with rice. Pour lukewarm water into the bottle, halfway up, and add a handful of uncooked white rice. You can also add a few drops of dishwashing liquid or a little white vinegar for a descaling and disinfecting effect. Close the bottle tightly with its cap and shake it vigorously. This agitation allows the rice grains to rub the internal walls and dislodge any accumulated impurities. Shake for one to two minutes, using circular and vertical movements.
Open the bottle, discard the water-rice mixture, then rinse with plenty of clean water several times to remove any remaining rice or impurities. To avoid mold odors, let the bottle air dry completely, placing it upside down on a clean cloth.
The rice method is particularly effective because the grains act like “cleaning beads” that scrub the walls evenly. They are capable of removing stubborn residue without damaging the inside of the bottle.