Forget discussions around tire pressure and saddle height. If you want to trigger a debate on a problem that seems to befuddle everyone who rides a bike, ask a group of cyclists how they clean their water bottles. The answers will fill chat rooms for weeks.

Feed Your Bike has rounded up a compendium of techniques that have been mentioned across the web by riders who can’t seem to agree on the best way to keep the crud out of the bottle. And, we will emphasize a couple of our own favorite techniques (Hint: The dishwasher is your friend).

First up, the tried-and-true way to keep the bottle free from mold and bacteria:

Clean Daily with Warm, Soapy Water

• After each ride, rinse the bottle with warm water to prevent residue from drying inside.
• Fill the bottle with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. Shake vigorously and scrub the inside using a bottle brush.

• Scrub the nozzle and cap. Bacteria and mold tend to accumulate here, so make sure to scrub these areas thoroughly.
• Rinse well. Blowing bubbles on a training ride is not considered good form. 

Use a White Vinegar Solution

• Fill the bottle halfway with white vinegar and the rest with water. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that helps kill bacteria and mold.
• Flush the nozzle. Pour the vinegar solution through the nozzle or spout to clean areas where bacteria can hide.

Baking Soda Paste

• If there’s stubborn residue or odor, make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply the paste with a bottle brush and scrub thoroughly.
• For tough stains or odors, let the baking soda paste sit for 15-20 minutes before rinsing.

4. Use Cleaning Tablets

• Use tablets specially formulated to clean water bottles. That generally means dropping a tablet into the bottle with water, letting it fizz for 5-10 minutes, and then scrub and rinse thoroughly. Feed Your Bike sees this as a good way to clean the bottle thoroughly with little hassle. Tablets such as those offered by Bottle Bright are a good option.

5. Sanitize with Boiling Water

• If your bottle is heat-resistant, pour boiling water into the bottle and let it sit for a few minutes to kill bacteria. Avoid boiling water on bottles that aren’t designed for heat, as it could warp or damage the plastic.

6. Dishwasher Cleaning

• This is the easiest bottle-cleaning solution, and, frankly, Feed Your Bike thinks it should end the debate. Some bottles are labeled dishwasher-safe, but we have found that others are fine in the dishwasher. We’ve used Camelback Podium bottles for four years and they’ve handled the heat from our dishwasher without warping, even on the bottom rack. Follow this advice at your own risk, as dishwasher heat may vary by model. You can try the top rack first, but it is easier to balance an upside-down bottle on the lower rack.  We’ve put the cap in the silverware rack with no problems. The bottle and cap get a good cleaning and the heat kills bacteria.

Other bottles that claim to be dishwasher safe or are described by cyclists in reviews as ok to clean in the dishwasher are the Polar Bottle Sport Insulated, Hydro Flask Insulated Sport Bottle, Elite Fly Bottle and Pro Bike Tool Insulated Bottle.

Dry Completely After Cleaning

Air-dry upside down, then flip right-side up for a while. Mold and bacteria thrive in moisture, so always dry the bottle completely before storing it. You may want to store it with the cap off to allow airflow.

Always avoid leaving liquids in the bottle for long periods to discourage the growth of bacteria. This is especially true for sugary drinks. 

If there are other options for cleaning water bottles, we’re all ears. Leave a comment with your preferred method.