Now that it's riding season in much of the country, remember to clean your water bottles! Before and after shots of a Polar bottle valve after soaking in a mild bleach solution. Even if you just drink water, the water bottle valves can get moldy.
I prefer the Polar insulated bottle to Camelbak Podium because they are easier to use and take apart to clean.
by johnmflores
5 Comments
Warm water and vinegar is also a good option. Vinegar evaporates entirely with no residue.
The camelback water bottles are definitely harder to clean, but I find they just work so well otherwise that it’s hard to switch. I wish they would just sell replacement nozzles for a reasonable price.
See, you get the ones with black nozzles and then you can’t see any of that stuff.
I like to go with Vinegar to clean things out because when (*when*) I forget it’s soaking with a bit of vinegar and grab a bottle for use, I don’t end up drinking bleach.
I don’t wear dentures, but I keep denture cleaner in the house for only this purpose. Be cautious with brightly-colored plastics, as long use will degrade their colors.
I toss them in the dishwasher after every ride. Steam and clean to make things right.