Randallissimo

I left a little bit of electrolyte in my bottle for a week. Now it has a bit mold in the bottom. Is there a way to safely clean it or is it toast?

cwathne

hand wash then put it in the dishwasher

Hunt-man

Water and little bit of bleach, 10 to 1. Let soak and rinse baby rinse. Then use as if it were new.

Georgebowen

If your nervous, put a tiny bit a bleach in water and let it site for a few hours. Bleach will kill anything living it, then hand wash and dishwasher.

jmpsmash

i have used molded and then thoroughly cleaned bottles before. no ill effects and i am still alive.

coasting 

penicillin is good for you

Grumpy McTrumpy

the bleach thing works.

ImRael

Are you sure it's mold?

sakonnetclip

+1 on the bleach. I don't know if you could get the plastic hot enough to kill bacteria without melting it...

-spence

TamaraEden

I'd say, if you're concerned, buy a new bottle.

If you bought it at REI and the mold seemed to grow too fast, take it back. We brought back a nalgene bottle that got some mold which is so odd. REI takes anything back (I'm not saying use something then take it back to be cheap), but bottles shouldn't grow mold so quickly.

True thing, yesterday we were at Santa Monica REI, we asked if they sold replacement caps for the Nathan aluminum bottles. She said they didn't but if our flip top broke, just bring it back and they'll replace it. Yes, we've had the bottle a year and we have no receipt but since we're members, it's on file and well, they love to do this.

daxr

Most of that stuff is pretty nutritious, when it comes down to it - you could just about live on algea.

Jordan300

REI sounds awesome, I wish there was one close to me

Howzit

Bottles are 4 bucks a pop. Sometimes, 4 bucks is worth your peace in mind.
Sometimes, washing it means one less plastic bottle in a land fill. You decide what your mind feels best with.

blacksquid

Many bottles are recycleable. If you don't want to clean it or trust that you'll get all of the mold out then recycle it!

^oZ

Why the hell would you?

dgasmd

Let a few drops of bleach sit in it while filled with hot water. Then, SCRUB IT with a bottle scrub. You know, the sponge thing with a stick. Dishwasher may do a great job at getting the outside clean, but a poor one to clean the bottom of the bottle on the inside. Bleach will certainly kill anything alive in there if you let it sit for a little while.

FLvector

OMFG. How did you survive this long without BF to get you thru the day?

mihlbach

Flatballer

Boiling works. Just make sure you cool the bottles gently. Otherwise they might deform a little bit, although this is useful for bottles that are a little stiff.

Just don't boil and bleach at the same time, you'll make dangerous fumes.

caloso

Throw it in the dishwasher, if you have one. If not, use hot water and a bottle brush.

TamaraEden

REI is awesome and it's a co-op. I believe it's $15 for lifetime membership and we get dividends back at the end of the year. Next time you know you're traveling, check if one is near where you'll be.

My husband is Canadian and does prefer Mountain Equipment Co-op.

gabdy

A bottle cost $10au here, surely you yanks can get them for $5 or less, buy a new one.

Machka 

Splash in some bleach and a bit of hot water, put the lid on, shake the bottle well. If the mold is really bad you might want to let this mixture sit overnight.

Empty the bleach water out.

Splash in some kitchen detergent and a bit of hot water, put the lid on, shake the bottle well.

Empty the soapy water out.

Rinse well.

Randallissimo

How did you survive this long without getting your smart a** beat?


The bleach works well, thanks good as new. And I'm not the type to toss something and buy new if I can salvage it.

Pugsly

I just don't worry about a little mold. There's probably much more slimy stuff growing in my water pipes, etc that I never see.