How to Clean 5-Gallon Water Bottles
Most 5-gallon water bottles are created to be reused, but this does not mean they never develop an odor or other problems. Even when used just for water (and they aren't intended for other liquids) a musty taste and odor will develop if they are not cleaned. Mold and other organisms can propagate in these containers, especially if they are stored in warm areas. Fortunately, cleaning these bottles is not difficult and, when done regularly, can prolong the life of the bottle. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Place the water bottle on a sturdy surface and fill almost to the top with warm water. As these large bottles will not fit under most residential faucets, you may have to pour the water in from another container (such as a pitcher).
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Put on rubber gloves. Pour 1 cup of bleach into the water. Screw the cap back on the water bottle and give the bottle a shake to mix the bleach with the water. Let the bleach water solution sit in the bottle for several minutes up to 30 minutes. If algae or other stains are present, you may need to let the bleach water remain in the bottle longer. Pour the bleach and water solution out of the bottle. Rinse the bottle out well with clean water.
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Let the bottle sit, cap off, to dry. When it is completely dry, recap it to prevent dust from settling on the inside.
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Tips & Warnings
If the bottle has material on the inside that does not seem to want to come off, try using a bottle brush. One standard bottle brush won't be long enough, but if several are connected together you should be able to scrub the inside of the bottle. As an alternative to bleach, you can use hydrogen peroxide. Just use about 3 tsp. per gallon of water and let this solution stand for 1 hour before rinsing.
Be careful when pouring the bleach. If you splash any on your skin, wash it off immediately.
