Coach's Corner — How Often Should You Clean Your Cycling Water Bottles?

Our Coach’s Corner series is your chance to have your biggest cycling questions answered — right from the master, Coach Darryl MacKenzie. In these short Q&As, Coach Darryl speaks from his 35+ years of cycling and coaching experience to help you become a stronger, smarter cyclist.

Careful Cyclist: 

Coach, one of my cycling friends told me my water bottles looked like a high school science experiment. How often should I clean them?

Coach Darryl:

More often than many cyclists do.

I've heard stories about professional cycling teams where multiple riders developed intestinal illnesses that lasted for days because their water bottles weren't cleaned properly. Whether every story is true or not, the lesson is the same:

Your water bottles are there to keep you hydrated and energized — they should never become a science experiment.

Treat Your Water Bottles Like Drinking Glasses

I think about cycling water bottles the same way I think about the drinking glasses in my kitchen. I use them once, then I wash them.

Never ride twice without thoroughly cleaning your water bottles in between. As soon as the ride is over, dump out any remaining water or sports drink and rinse both the bottle and the cap well. Don't leave a used bottle sitting on the bike until your next ride, especially if you've been using sports drinks and are storing your bike in a warm environment. Those sugary residues are a breeding ground for bacteria and mold.

The Best Way to Clean Your Bottles

If you're washing bottles by hand, use hot water and soap, making sure to clean both the bottle and the cap thoroughly.

Even better, run them through the dishwasher. Just don't place the bottles on the bottom rack, where the higher temperatures can warp the plastic. The middle rack — or top rack if your dishwasher has one — is a much safer place for the bottles. I also place the caps on the upper rack so the hot water can clean all the little nooks and crannies.

Drying Matters Too

There’s one last step many cyclists overlook: After washing, store the bottles and caps separately until they are completely dry.

This is extremely important. If you put the cap back on while moisture is still trapped inside, you're just inviting bacteria and mold back into the picture.

Once everything is 100% dry, then tighten the cap for storage. Keeping the bottle closed helps prevent dust and dirt from collecting inside before your next ride.

Know When to Replace Your Bottles

With proper care, a good cycling water bottle can last for years — but it won’t last forever. 

The biggest signs that the end is near are excessive wear or discoloration on the outside of the bottle. At that point, it's probably earned a well-deserved retirement.

Cyclists spend a lot of time thinking about nutrition, hydration, and staying healthy enough to ride. But none of that matters if your own water bottle makes you sick. Keeping your bottles clean is one of the easiest ways to avoid an entirely preventable problem.

Bonus Tip

Here's one more trick I've learned over the years. 

If you've ever had sports drink leak onto your car seats or carpet while driving to or from your ride, you’ll know what a mess can result. To avoid a spill, save one of those cardboard six-pack beverage carriers. Place one bottle in a top corner and the other in the opposite bottom corner to balance the carrier. It keeps the bottles upright, makes them easy to carry, and helps prevent sticky spills in your vehicle.

Stay hydrated and healthy out there!

Photo by RUN 4 FFWPU via Pexels