How to Clean Your Owala Water Bottle & All Of The Parts

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Learn how to easily clean your Owala water bottle and all of the detachable parts without using harsh chemicals so it's always brand new and you never have to worry about bacterial growth and mildew.

Being that our family are big water drinkers, we have just about every drinking vessel you can imagine. While I love my Stanley tumblers, I really like the Owala Freesip water bottle when it comes to staying hydrated. It has a nice wide-mouth opening and you don't have to suck hard on the straws like with water bottles.

In case you didn't know, Owala has plastic bottles and stainless steel, which I will teach you how to clean both of these and you don't have to use their Ecobrite tablets to do so.

What is Special About the Owala Water Bottle?

The Owala Freesip water bottle is known for its unique design features and emphasis on sustainability. Some of the special features include:

EasyFlip Lid: Owala bottles feature an innovative EasyFlip lid that allows for convenient one-handed opening and closing, making it easy to drink from on the go without worrying about spills.
Leak-Proof Design: The bottles are designed to be leak-proof, ensuring that your drinks stay securely contained even when the bottle is tossed into a bag or backpack.
Sustainability: Owala is committed to sustainability, and its bottles are made from durable materials like Tritan plastic, which is BPA-free and designed to last a long time. Additionally, the company promotes reusable bottles as an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bottles.
Variety of Sizes: Owala offers a variety of bottle sizes to suit different needs, ranging from smaller bottles for kids to larger ones for adults.
Wide Mouth Opening: The bottles typically have a wide mouth opening, making them easy to fill with ice cubes and to clean.
Colorful Designs: Owala bottles come in a range of vibrant colors, allowing users to choose a style that fits their personality.

What You'll Need

Dish Soap - I'm a huge fan of Dawn, but you can use your favorite. Don't forget to check out 20+ Amazing Uses for Dawn + DIY Recipe for Dawn Powerwash
Water
Straw brush and Bottle Brush - because I have tons of vessels I already have a set of these. I would recommend this bottle brush and a straw brush.
White vinegar (optional)

How to Clean Plastic Owala Bottles

Bottle

Add a small amount of mild dish soap to the bottle and fill it up with hot water.
Scrub the insides using the bottle brush, making sure to get the walls good.
Allow the soapy water to sit for a couple of minutes.
Pour it out and rinse with warm water.

I like to use the bottle brush one more time just to make sure I get rid of the soap.

Lid

Use the pull tab to remove the spout gasket from the lid.
Wash in warm soapy water. Use the straw brush to get in the nooks.
Give it a quick rinse and let it dry completely before reassembling.

Straw

Use a straw brush with a little soap on the end to clean the straws.
Rinse and allow it to dry.

Stainless Steel

The stainless steel collection has the same components as the plastic, so this same method can be used.

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How Often Should I Wash My Owala?

Regular cleaning should be happening daily because it's harder to get rid of the mold and mildew once it starts growing. If you notice persistent odors or tough stains (when drinking anything other than water from it), it's due for a cleaning.

Does your reusable bottle need extra attention? Yeah, we've all been there where we didn't get around to it. If that's the case add a little vinegar with water to a bowl and soak the lid and silicone seal. This not only cleans but also disinfects.

Can You Put Owala Bottles in the Dishwasher?

The stainless steel bottle is technically dishwasher safe. However, if you wash the actual bottle most likely it will dull the finish over time.

We always hand wash, but if you want to put it in the dishwasher the lids are top-rack dishwasher safe. The straws can go in the utensil basket since they are stainless steel as well. Remove the rubber gasket before placing the lid in.

As for the plastic Owala Freesip water bottle, all parts can go in the dishwasher on the top rack, but again we usually hand wash.

Helpful Tips

Never use strong chemicals to clean your water bottles.
Owala bottles are not intended for boiling, freezing, microwaving, or to be used with carbonated or hot liquids. The Freesip bottle allows more liquid to come through than the average straw, so coffee and warm dairy products will come out faster than expected, and we know how hot those can be.
When doing a thorough cleaning, pay special attention to the silicone gasket and where the straw goes. These are areas where the growth of mold happens the most frequently.