You’ve done a great job searching for the facts on the web. “Can you put insulated water bottles in the dishwasher?” is one of the most important questions as it’s related to the longevity of your water bottle.
Insulated water bottles are not cheap. You must know the right way to treat them to have a long journey with the bottles. We are going to walk you through the right path by explaining the safest ways to take care of the bottles.
Stay tuned!
How Do Dishwashers Clean Insulated Water Bottles?
Dishwashers clean insulated water bottles by using a combination of hot water, detergent, and powerful jets.
When you place your bottle on the top rack, the hot water and detergent break down and remove grime and bacteria. This powerful spray action ensures a thorough clean. After the washing cycle, the dishwasher drains the dirty water and rinses the bottle with clean water.
This method sanitizes your bottle when using the dishwasher’s high-temperature setting.
Finally, the dishwasher dries the bottle using hot air or a fan. This cleaning process can impact insulated bottles differently, which we will discuss further in the next section.
Can You Put Insulated Water Bottles In The Dishwasher
You should not put insulated water bottles in the dishwasher. Most insulated water bottles are not suitable for this kind of cleaning. The high heat and strong water pressure in dishwashers can harm these bottles’ insulation and rubber seals.
It negatively affects your bottle’s ability to keep beverages hot or cold. Hand washing is recommended for insulated, printed, or powder-coated bottles to maintain performance and appearance.
If your insulated water bottle is made of aluminum, dishwashing the bottle can raise some health safety questions as well.
Aluminum water bottles have plastic linings that break down under intense conditions in a dishwasher. When these linings degrade, the exposed aluminum can react with acidic liquids and release releasing harmful substances.
Dishwashing Safety-Related Guidelines
To determine if your insulated water bottle is safe for dishwasher cleaning, look for a dishwasher-safe symbol like the one in the picture below.
Image Source: https://www.maytag.com/
This symbol looks like a square box with dishes inside. It indicates that the product can withstand the dishwasher’s heat and water pressure.
Even if your bottle has the symbol, we recommend washing the bottle in the dishwasher’s top rack only (where the temperature is the lowest). This extra caution will save your expensive insulated water bottle from unwanted damage.
How Should You Clean An Insulated Water Bottle?
Since your insulated water bottle can be made of stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or other materials, here are the short and best practices for the most common materials.
Stainless Steel
- Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap in a bowl. Don’t use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the bottle’s interior and exterior.
- For stubborn odors, use the baking soda method. Sprinkle a teaspoon of baking soda into the bottle, and add warm water. Now, let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Gently scrub with the bottle brush and then rinse properly.
- For deep cleaning the bottle once a month, fill the bottle halfway with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then scrub and rinse thoroughly.
Aluminum
- For regular cleaning, follow the same method as the stainless steel water bottles. Use soap and water to clean the bottle.
- Use lemon juice and white vinegar to get rid of stubborn odors from your aluminum-insulated water bottle. Pour the solution into the bottle, cover the lid, and shake the bottle well. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes to loosen any buildup and rinse the bottle.
Copper
- Use soapy water for regular cleaning of a copper-insulated water bottle.
- For stubborn stains or tarnish, use a lemon slice sprinkled with salt. Rub this over the copper surface to gently remove stains and bring back the shine. After scrubbing, rinse your bottle well with clean water.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve got your answer to the question- Can you put insulated water bottles in the dishwasher?
Most insulated water bottles are not dishwasher-safe due to the risk of potential damage from high heat and water pressure. If you have no option than using a dishwasher, always check for a dishwasher-safe symbol to be sure.
Handwashing is the safest and most recommended way to clean your insulated water bottle.