Photo Credit: Parée

You just received a shiny, new KOR Hydration Vessel in the mail or as a gift. Like all nice things, you must take care of it to ensure a long, good life. Yes, it is still possible for your hydration vessel — like any reusable water bottle — to harbor bacteria. There’s the backwash from when you take a sip. Or when you’re using hydration enhancements, which can leave behind mold or residue if left unwashed for too long. Luckily, all KOR products are easier to clean than typical reusables in that their Perfect Spout is wide and contains no threads — and that means no tiny bevels and crevices to encourage build-up. Take great care in cleaning your vessel and it will be sure to serve you for years and years.

The Basics

Once a day, wash your KOR Hydration Vessel with hot water and dish soap, either by hand or in the dishwasher. If you’re using the dishwasher, we recommend placing it on the top rack because the bottom is usually where the heating element (to heat the water and dry the dishes) is located, which can warp or melt plastics. If you’re washing by hand, don’t forget to scrub the cap. In particular, clean the seal well as this part touches the KOR Perfect Spout when closed and if you’ve got chapstick, lipstick or food on your lips, it’ll transfer. After cleaning your hydration vessel, allow it to air-dry completely to discourage the growth of bacteria, which thrive in moist environments.

The Equipment

Having a bottle brush definitely makes it easier to clean the inside of your KOR Hydration Vessel. The scrubber of choice at KOR HQ is the OXO Bottle Brush ($4.99). Its soft grip ensures the stick doesn’t slip out of your hands when wet and the neck actually bends so you can hit every corner with ease. If you’re worried about scratches, the natural German boar bristle bottle brush (now say that five times fast) is gentle and non-abrasive. It is available at Kitchenworks for $4.95.

The Tough Spot

If this is your first time cleaning your hydration vessel in a month (or a few), you might have some stubborn stains. Try this homemade remedy to combat mold: add one part white vinegar, lemon juice, or hydrogen peroxide — all mild disinfectants — to four parts warm water in your hydration vessel and shake well. Then allow the solution to do its magic for a couple of hours before rinsing thoroughly. (If parts of your vessel are still unsanitary, KOR Water does offer replacement rings and caps, which includes free ground shipping in the U.S.) After that, remember to wash your hydration vessel every day to keep it in pristine condition.

Some Friendly Reminders

Chlorine bleach is not your KOR’s friend, nor ours as it is dangerous to humans and aquatic life (we’re on a mission to protect oceans, after all). Bleach can contaminate drinking water with the carcinogenic trihalomethane. And absolutely never microwave a KOR Hydration Vessel to zap bacteria — it won’t work. Plus, the hinges and caps contain stainless steel, a material that is unsafe for the microwave.

Questions? We’ve Got Answers.

With great care, your KOR Hydration Vessel can last for a very long time — saving you money and of course, plastic from landfills. If you have any other questions, please feel free to e-mail customercare@korwater.com or leave a comment. We may feature your question in a future post!

What are your own methods to clean your hydration vessel (or reusable water bottle)? Please share your response in the comments.