How to Use Plastic Bottles Safely

Despite the bad rap plastic bottles receive, they are useful to temporarily store water, juice and other beverages while traveling or exercising. Steel bottles are environmentally friendly due to their durability and lower impact on waste production. However, you can continuously refill plastic bottles to store liquids as long as you thoroughly clean them to prevent bacteria production. Bacteria production occurs when moisture comes into contact with high temperatures, as the bacteria thrives in humid environments and cause illness.

Things You'll Need

• Antibacterial soap
• Bottle cleaner brush

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands with hot, soapy water before handling plastic bottles to avoid contaminating the bottle's contents. Alternately, dispense a nickel-sized amount of hand sanitizer into your palms and rub the liquid over your hands until the liquid dries up.

• 2

  Flip your plastic bottle upside down to check the labeling. A 7 on the bottom of a plastic bottle indicates that it may contain Bisphenol A, a chemical that may cause cancer. Plastic bottles with a 1, 2, 4 or 5 are BPA free and safe to use.

• 3

  Fill plastic bottles with hot water and squeeze in two to three squirts of dishwashing liquid. Scrub the inside of the bottle with a bottle cleaner brush to clean those hard to reach areas and crevices. Pour out the soapy solution and rinse the bottle several times with hot water. Wash the cap of the bottle and allow both the cap and bottle to dry completely before using again.

• 4

  Avoid microwaving plastic bottles to warm up your beverage. This shortens the life of the bottle through warping.