The beauty and the great convenience of reusable water bottles lie in that – the fact that they are reusable. You can head to the water cooler or faucet to fill your bottle up as many times as you need to without spending money on water every time you need to go out of the house. Plus, they keep your water cool much longer and are a great way to reduce your plastic footprint.

But the thing is, when your bottle is constantly wet, it never really gets a chance to be properly cleaned. And since bacteria love dark and moist environments, you should definitely get in the habit of cleaning it at least every few days. Here are some fast and effective ways you can get rid of the grime and germs that accumulate in reusable water bottles over time.

Wash It with Warm Soapy Water

Add a few drops of dishwashing soap in your empty water bottle, add some warm water, screw on the top and shake it for a minute or two. It’s a good idea to buy a bottle brush so you can scrub deep inside it, especially if your bottle is one with a narrow mouth. Clean the cap thoroughly as well, and leave it to air-dry overnight.

Use a Weak Bleach Solution

If germs in your reusable bottle are your main concern, know that nothing stands a chance against bleach. Don’t worry, it is perfectly safe to drink from a bottle that has been cleaned with a weak bleach solution. Here’s how to do it: use one tablespoon of bleach per one quart of water. Put this solution in your bottle, screw on the top, and leave it to sit for two minutes. Then, pour out the solution and leave your bottle to dry out completely.

Use Vinegar

Vinegar is an all-natural cleaner which is perfect for killing certain bacteria and germs, however, it is not that effective in killing the flu virus. If that’s fine with you, here’s what to do: after you have washed your water bottle with soapy water, rinse it well and then fill it up one-fifth of the way with white vinegar. Fill the rest of the bottle with water, leave it to stay overnight and thoroughly rinse it out in the morning.

Put It in the Dishwasher

Many bottles are dishwasher safe, so before you throw it in the machine, make sure to check your reusable water bottles bottom or the website of its brand to ensure that it is. You’ll have it clean and dry in no time and ready to sip on some more water in it on your way out.