There has been a recent surge of people using reusable copper water bottles to mitigate the rising environmental concerns and also to enjoy the health benefits of copper water. 

But your reusable copper bottle may also have a negative impact on your health if it is not cleaned properly.

A study conducted by Purdue University in 2017 on 90 reusable water bottles showed that 60% of the bottles had bacterial counts above 500 CFU/mL, which exceeds the highest safety limit.  And that quarter of the tested bottles had coliform bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella that can pose serious health risks if not cleaned well.

What does this mean?

While storing water in a copper bottle is said to weaken and eliminate bacteria from the water and purify water, the water itself is not the problem. Rather, when you use your copper water bottles to drink water, you are likely to transfer many microorganisms, food bits, debris, and fluids from your mouth into the bottle. Once in the bottle, they act as a breeding ground for microscopic bugs.

And, if you bought your copper water bottle months ago, it may also be looking darker and duller due to the natural oxidation process. 

You can easily clean the inside and outside of  your copper water bottle in a few seconds using a few simple household ingredients.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about cleaning a copper water bottle,the reasons you should regularly clean your water bottle, and the best ways to do so. Let's dive in!

Why Clean Your Copper Water Bottle?

Copper has antibacterial activity, but requires time and contact.

A recent research conducted on the effects of storing water in copper vessels showed that when contaminated water with E.coli and other diarrhoeagenic bacteria was stored in a copper opt for up to 16 hours at room temperature, researchers could no longer recover bacteria. This and more research attest to the powerful antibacterial properties of using a copper water bottle to store or drink water. But,these antibacterial effects are not a substitute for cleaning. Here's why. copper’s oligodynamic effect, its metal ions damaging the cell membrane of cells, is not instantaneous. And, this antimicrobial effect is stronger in controlled conditions rather than daily use. So, you need to clean your copper water bottle regularly to get rid of any bacteria in the bottle.

Copper’s effectiveness depends on surface interactions. 

You will only enjoy the health benefits of copper if the water is in direct contact with a pure copper bottle. Without cleaning, your copper water bottle develops protective layers that limit direct contact between the water and the bottle, making it less efficient.

Copper safety

An experimental study done to evaluate the amount of copper ions that leached into the water after being stored in copper containers showed that after 12 hours, the copper in the water was still within the recommended safety levels. But, after 168 h,the copper in the water was higher than the recommended safety level. Therefore, you need to pour out any water stored in your copper bottle for more than 16 hours and clean the bottle to avoid copper toxicity.

Change in taste, odor, and surface degradation

Unclean copper bottles develop metallic or sour flavors, unpleasant odors,and a dark tarnish. These are not just aesthetic changes; they indicate chemical reactions that affect the quality of the water you put in your copper water bottle.

Now, let’s explore some methods and ingredients you can use to clean a copper water bottle.

The Best Way to Clean a Copper Water Bottle at Home

 Remove Contents and Gather Your Cleaning Material

First, remove any content from the copper water bottle. If you have any water or liquids that have been in the bottle, pour them out and rinse the bottle, preferably with  warm water.

Also, gather the cleaning tools and materials that will help you to effectively clean your copper water bottle. Here are some tools and materials you may require:

Soft-bristled Brushes: These work great for gently scrubbing a copper’s surface. Consider getting 

specialized copper brushes that work well for delicate materials. Do not use brushes with hard bristles as they could damage the copper surface.

Microfiber Cloths: These are great for drying and polishing the copper water bottle due to their soft texture.

Non-Abrasive sponge: Use a non-abrasive scouring sponge to get rid of tough stains. Ensure you scrub gently to avoid damaging the copper surface. This could lead to corrosion or damage the bottle’s aesthetic appeal.

Clean the Copper Water Bottle on the Inside, the Lid and the exterior.

Don’t just concentrate on cleaning the inside of the bottle; clean the outside and the lid as well.

Here are some simple home ingredients you can use to clean your copper water bottle.

Using Baking Soda and Lemon

One of the best solutions to clean your copper water bottle is a mixture of baking soda and lemon. The alkalinity in the baking soda is great for dissolving compounds, while the acidity in the lemon helps to dissolve various contaminants. A solution of these powerful ingredients is efficient in getting rid of oxidation stains. But this solution only works for mild stains .

Cleaning Instructions on How to Clean your Copper Water Bottle’s Exterior Using Baking Soda and Lemon:

1. Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
2. Rub the solution of both ingredients on the copper bottle’s exterior using a cotton cloth or a cotton ball.
3. Rub circular motions to remove any stubborn stains until the stains are gone.
4. Steps on How to Clean a Copper Bottle with Baking Soda and Lemon From The Inside
5. Mix the baking soda and lemon mixture with water, then pour it into the bottle.
6. Shake the mixture thoroughly for a few minutes.
7. Pour out the solution and rinse it off with running water.

Tamarind

Another effective way to clean a copper water bottle is to use tamarind. Tamarind is effective since it contains citric acid, which neutralises the basic copper carbonate layer on and inside the bottle. Therefore, it is one of the best natural methods to clean copper water bottles. It also eliminates impurities and bad odor.

So if you are looking for a natural method to clean copper bottles with use, choose tamarind. 

 Steps on How to Clean a Copper Bottle with Tamarind:

1. Soak the seedless tamarind in water for about 20 minutes.
2. Squeeze the tamarind pulp in water.
3. Completely cover the copper water bottle with this aste.
4. Use a soft brush to gently scrub the water bottle.
5. Rinse off the aste with warm water and dry with a soft cotton towel.

Steps on How to Clean a Copper Bottle with Tamarind From The Inside

Pour the water you've soaked your tamarind in the copper bottle and let it sit for 20 minutes.

Scrub with a soft brush.

Rinse it off with warm water.

Lemon and Salt

The most obvious way to clean copper water bottles is to mix lemon and salt. As time passes, copper carbonate accumulates on the bottle’s surface. Citric Acid present in lemon dissolves the basic copper carbonate and makes the bottle look shiny again. 

Steps on How to Clean a Copper Bottle with Lemon & Salt:

• First, slice the lemon in half and dip one slice in salt.
• Rub this piece of lemon on the copper bottle’s surface until the oxidation stains disappear.
• Rinse the bottle’s exterior and lid with clean water and then wash further with dish soap to get rid of any excess solution.
• Rinse the second time and air dry.
• Steps on How to Clean a Copper Bottle with Lemon & Salt From The Inside:
• Squeeze approximately 4 tbs of lemon juice into 2 tsp of salt.
• Add water to this solution and pour it into the bottle.
• Shake the bottle gently and scrub it lightly with a soft brush.
• Then pour it out and rinse with water.

Using Vinegar and Salt

You can also use a vinegar and salt mixture  to clean copper bottle’s . This method is hugely recommended because it is effective and readily available at home. Just like lemon, vinegar has citric acid, which gets rid of impurities from the bottle, and the salt is a strong scrubbing agent.

Cleaning Instructions on How to Clean a Copper Bottle’s Exterior with Vinegar & Salt:

• Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to one tablespoon of salt and stir thoroughly.
• Apply the mixture on the bottle’s exterior and lid.
• Rub on using circular motion to get rid of oxidation stains.
• Rinse with running water and dry with a soft towel.

Steps on How to Clean a Copper Bottle with Vinegar & Salt from The Inside:

• Pour the vinegar salt solution into the bottle.
• Shake thoroughly and use a soft brush to lightly scrub the interior.
• Repeat, then rinse with running water.

Specialized Copper Cleaning Solutions

There are also various copper cleaning solutions that you could use to clean your copper water bottle at home. However, some of these products may be too harsh, damaging copper’s protective layer, or leaving behind residues. So, ensure you carefully read product labels and user reviews before purchasing a commercial solution. Also, compare the active ingredients and their concentration levels to help determine their potential impact on the copper surface.

Rub Some Ketchup

Those extra ketchup bottles you have in your home can restore your copper bottle’s shine. How? Ketchup acts as a natural acid to remove copper stains. The trick is to apply the ketchup on the bottle and let it sit for a few minutes. Then use a soft sponge or nylon pad to scrub off the ketchup. Then rinse it off and use a dry cotton towel to dry it. You can also rub the copper water bottle with olive oil to keep its exterior shiny.

Rinse the Bottle

Once you wash the inside and the exterior of the copper water bottle,  you should ensure you always rinse the bottle with cold or warm water to get rid of any remaining odors and leftover cleaning solutions. For the exterior, scrub the bottle with a soft cloth with running water. For the inside, fill the bottle with water, cover with the lid, and shake the bottle for some minutes before disposing of the water.

Wipe and Air Dry

Always ensure you wipe your copper water bottle and air-dry it to ensure that it does not develop water stains on the surfaces. The ideal wiping material is a lint-free cloth. Once fully dried, you should store the copper water bottle in a cool and ventilated area.

 Prevention and Maintenance

It’s not enough to clean the copper water well properly; you need to also store it to preserve the longevity and aesthetic appeal. So, following a proactive  approach in the storage and handling of copper water bottles is essential.

Proper Storage and Handling

Store your copper water bottle in a cool and dry place that is away from direct sunlight and high temperatures. This minimizes oxidation and premature deterioration of the copper bottle.

Common Cleaning Mistakes

There are many mistakes that copper bottle owners make when cleaning their bottles, causing tarnish, discoloration, and even health risks. Some common mistakes include:

• Using vinegar for daily cleaning. Vinegar is great for removing superficial tarnish as it reacts with copper oxides. But be careful when using vinegar to clean a copper bottle, as it may change the copper surface excessively.
• Using abrasive cleaners that scratch the copper surface, causing premature deterioration.

Troubleshooting Cleaning Issues: How To Clean a Copper Water Bottle

Sometimes, the tactics listed above are not adequate to handle bad odors, stubborn stains, or the possibility of copper leaching. Here are specific cleaning techniques you can use to tackle common cleaning issues you may face during your cleaning process.

Dealing with Stubborn Stains and Discoloration

Discoloration of copper water bottles often shows the presence of mineral deposits, oxidation, or other contaminants. As such, these traditional methods are not adequate to deal with the stains. Opt for more aggressive tactics such as using specialized cleaning solutions and scrubbing techniques that can help restore the bottle’s shine.

Dealing with Foul Odors: How to clean copper water bottle

The copper water bottle may have a foul smell due to bacterial growth, organic matter, or other contaminants. To eliminate foul odour, you have to thoroughly clean and disinfect your water bottles.

Copper Leaching Mitigation

Copper can leach into the water due to improper cleaning or repetitive exposure to acidic substances. So, be careful when selecting the cleaning materials and also use cleaning procedures that do not damage the copper surface.

FAQs

• How often should I clean my copper water bottle?
• It is ideal to clean your copper water bottle after each use. This helps to keep your water pure and to prevent bacteria build up in your bottle.
• What are some common mistakes people make when cleaning copper water bottles?
• Using abrasive cleaners or using aggressive cleaning techniques that damage copper’s surface. Also, some people do not rinse or dry their copper water bottle after cleaning, causing tarnish.
• Can I use vinegar to clean my copper water bottle?
• Yes, you can use vinegar to clean your copper water bottle. But you should first consider other ingredients listed above, as vinegar is not the most gentle option. It is good for eliminating stubborn stains and clearing discolouration. Not recommended for daily cleaning.
• How do I remove stubborn tarnish from my copper water bottle?
• Use a solution of lemon and salt to remove stubborn tarnish. Cover the bottle with the solution and then gently scrub with a soft-bristle brush. Remember to rinse and dry after cleaning.
  
  

  Final Thoughts

The first step in cleaning and maintaining a copper water bottle is to understand its unique chemistry and implement the proper cleaning techniques. This comprehensive guide will help you keep your copper water bottle aesthetically pleasing and also gain its continued health benefits. Remember, no cleaning method can minimize the health risks or restore the shine of a low-quality copper bottle. So, prioritize getting a high-quality copper water bottle from Purely copper and clean it effectively to enhance your safety and the quality of your water.