How do you clean your waterbottles when on holiday?

[Dave7]

If you have the bottle type with the tube that goes down inside the bottle then pipe cleaners work quite well. I brought some cheaply on eBay

Nothing that posh.....just standard bottles.

 

[MichaelW2]

Clean out the bottle top as well, that is where bacteria and road crud lurk.

 

[Proto]

I’m amazed I’ve lived this long, I’ve been riding with a ticking time bomb all these years.

 

[alicat]

Personally, I'd forget about the powders and potions for the week and then the problem goes away.

 

[Andy in Germany]

** not been on a cycling holiday for 55 years and I dont recall re-usable bottles back then

Sounds interesting. Have fun.

 

[Bianchi boy]

Wash with hot soapy water, rinse well and then i pop mine (empty) in the freezer overnight,

 

[pjd57]

Milton tablets sound like a good easy option.

 

[Globalti]

In the freezer? Why? Freezing doesn't kill bacteria, it just stops them growing but they'll be back in action as soon as you warm them up to RT. Just dry the bottle, that's as good as sterilising it.

 

[Dave7]

I'd be wary of melting the bottle with boiling water.

Its only for the hard mouth piece. I sometimes do it if using the bottle 2 consecutive days and its ok.

 

[Dave7]

In all seriousness, why would you need to clean your bottles? A quick flush with hot tap water then leave the bottle upside-down to drain then leave it upright in a warm place to dry, is all it needs. The worst thing is to leave it wet, which will allow mould to grow especially if it's had carbs or sugars inside it.

Just something I have always done. I ride twice a week normaly and afterwards stick the bottle straight into the dishwasher.

 

[Proto]

I think you’re all nuts. I can honestly say I do no more than rinse my bottles between rides. If I don’t finish the bottle on a ride, I might use it several days later.

Sometimes the bottles get a bit of black mould in them, but if it’s only a few specks, then ignore and carry on.

If it’s bad enough I might leave them to soak - some bleach and topped up with water. Leave overnight. I might do that once or twice a year.

I’m very much against sterilising everything. We need bacteria in our gut. I consider ‘unclean’ bottles to be a free meal

 

[Shut Up Legs]

During my month-long trip to France from which I just returned, I just rinsed both of my 2 bottles daily with water a few times, then left them upside down to drain in the bathroom sink of my B&B room. I came to no harm because of any nasty bugs.

 

[ianrauk]

During my month-long trip to France from which I just returned, I just rinsed both of my 2 bottles daily with water a few times, then left them upside down to drain in the bathroom sink of my B&B room. I came to no harm because of any nasty bugs.

.. and this folks... is all you need to do.

 

[derrick]

Just a quick rinse in hot or cold water. What ever is there. Never had a problem.

 

[raleighnut]

If the bottle melts at 100 degrees C I'd be wary of using it as a bottle!

I'm not talking about it turning into a puddle of molten plastic I just mean it could soften and distort