Cleaning water bottles?

They'll survive the dishwasher. Pop the spout open on the top when you throw them in.

When I had a dishwasher (ah, those were the days) I ruined most bottles in there, they would warp from the heat. I wash mine immediately after each ride and put them upside down to drain for a few hours, then sit them upright so the rest of the water evaporates overnight. Don't put the lids on them until they are bone dry and you won't get any slimy stuff.

I have found that when I use the dishwasher my water starts to taste like soap.

So I just rinse really really well and let them dry in the drain.  After awhile I might take the bottle brush to them.

I also only use bottles I don't care about for training...so when they get really bad I can just pitch them.  I figure I get enough free ones at races...why not?

Dishwasher ... when I tried to handwash them it left an awful soapy taste... and I let them rinse for several minutes in running water so I THOUGHT I got out all of the soap !

I rinse mine out good after I use them.  When I use gatorade or something I will wash them out really good and let them dry.

Once every couple of weeks I will fill them with water and dump a cap of bleach in them and swish them around and then rinse well. 

I just use the dishwasher and make sure that the lids are popped open.  I do just have cheap water bottles so if something did happen, I wouldn't be too upset.

Daily use I wash by hand. Every few weeks or so I toss a load of them (bottles and tops) in the sink with 1/8 cup of bleach and enough water to cover them. All the nasties and Gatorade stains will disappear. With Polar bottles, I put a large baking dish on top to keep them submerged. Thirty minutes usually does the trick. Rinse well and they are like new.

Edited by mdg2003 2009-06-29 3:16 PM

I'm going to have to try this...do the bottles end up tasting at all like bleach?

You probably couldn't find it because the OP referred to them as 'bidons' or 'bidens' I believe.  Seemed to be the customary name in their locality.  Try a search under that term and it should show up.

Greg

I don't use the dishwasher anymore as I found my bottle started to leak.  The heat of the washer can mess with the threads around the top where the lid screws on, and if it warps even the tiniest bit, then the lid will leak when it's sloshed around.  I just bought a bottle cleaning brush, use hot water and dish soap, and then put in the drain rack to dry.  I've had no issues with that except for occassionally running out of drain rack space.  

Bleachy water mixture. I leave the water in there for an hour or two. Make sure you rinse really well, the plastic will squeak when they're rinsed well enough.

I find this gets rid of any bacteria, stains and lingering smell/taste from accelerage and does not effect the taste of the water next time I use it.

 
 Not at all, just rinse well and air dry in your dish drying rack.

You're right.  Here's the older thread:  http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=159147