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Types of Reusable Water Bottles

Drinking water throughout the day is critical for good health, weight loss and adequate hydration. Buying bottled water constantly gets expensive and is wasteful, so many people are opting for reusable water bottles. Plastic, aluminum and stainless steel reusable water bottles are available, each with their own advantages in terms of health, durability and chemical composition. You can fill your water bottles with tap water or filtered water.

  1. PET plastic

    • When you purchase bottled water, it comes in a bottle made of PET or polyethylene terephthalate. While many people do reuse these water bottles, they are not reusable water bottles. After repeated use, these bottles leach DEHP (Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate). The plastic does not stand up well to washing and small cracks can form quite easily.

    Polycarbonate

    • Polycarbonate is the plastic used for many reusable water bottles. It is a hard, lightweight plastic. It has, however, been shown that some polycarbonate compounds can leach a synthetic hormone, bisphenol-A or BPA, that mimics estrogen. If you are looking for a lightweight plastic water bottle, be sure that it is clearly marked as BPA free.

    Aluminum

    • Aluminum reusable water bottles are durable and attractive. They stand up well to hard use and may keep liquids cold longer. They have a plastic or resin liner, so you should be sure to purchase an aluminum bottle from a reputable company and make sure that water bottle is free of BPA and other hazardous chemicals.

    Stainless Steel

    • Stainless steel is the least reactive option when looking for a reusable water bottle. These bottles are durable, have no leaching risks, and are available in a variety of styles for children and adults. They keep cold liquids cool for a relatively long period of time and are nearly indestructible.

    Care

    • Proper care will extend the life of your reusable water bottle. Check the manufacturer's instructions to determine whether your water bottle is dishwasher safe. Use a soft brush to clean the inside and avoid scratching or marring your aluminum or stainless steel water bottle. You may even be able to purchase new lids for better quality reusable water bottles.

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