How to Disinfect Beer Bottles

Disinfect beer bottles at home properly to reuse them.

Brewing beer at home is a hobby that many people enjoy. All the equipment you use for brewing beer must be sterilized properly to prevent bacteria from growing. Home brewers sterilize beer bottles so that they can reuse them for their own beer. Unsanitary beer bottles can prevent the beer from brewing properly and they can contaminate the beer and make you sick. Fortunately, you can sanitize the beer bottles at home without any special equipment.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 cup bleach
• 1 gallon warm water
• Sponge

Instructions

1. Soak the bottles in a solution of 1/4 cup bleach and 1 gallon of warm water in a clean kitchen sink or large bucket. Allow the bottles to soak for 30 minutes.

2. Remove the beer bottles from the sink. Peel off the label and remove remaining adhesive from the bottle with a sponge.

3. Place the beer bottles in the dishwasher so that the open end faces down. Do not allow the bottles to touch each other to prevent them from cracking.

4. Close the dishwasher and set it to "heat dry." Set the dishwasher to the longest cycle and turn it on.

5. Allow the beer bottles to dry completely before you use them.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use detergent that has a scent because the scent may alter the taste of the beer.

• Use the beer bottles immediately after you sanitize them to prevent dirt and dust from collecting on them.

References

• How to Brew: Sanitizing Your Equipment
• Brewing Techniques: Methods of Sanitization and Steriliztion