I think my Sigg is making me sick

[KateKat]

I keep getting colds and think I am constantly reinfecting myself from my Sigg water bottle. I've been cleaning it with dish soap and a baby bottle brush, but am not sure how clean it's actually getting since the neck of the bottle is very narrow and the bottle itself is opaque so it's not like I can see in it.

I'm thinking about either bleaching the bottle or boiling it in water to disinfect it and make sure it is totally clean. Does anyone know if doing either one of these things would ruin the bottle?

[4evermom]

I don't believe it's possible to get the same cold virus twice. My guess is you have some new allergies that are bugging you. Are you getting enough sleep? That's my number one defense for avoiding colds.

A diluted bleach solution should be fine since siggs can go in the dishwasher and dishwashing detergent frequently has bleach.

Or fill the sigg with rum, lol.

[KateKat]

Originally Posted by 4evermom

I don't believe it's possible to get the same cold virus twice. My guess is you have some new allergies that are bugging you. Are you getting enough sleep? That's my number one defense for avoiding colds.

A diluted bleach solution should be fine since siggs can go in the dishwasher and dishwashing detergent frequently has bleach.

Or fill the sigg with rum, lol.

Siggs are dishwasher safe? I never knew and have been handwashing.

[4evermom]

Originally Posted by KateKat

Siggs are dishwasher safe? I never knew and have been handwashing.

It isn't recommended but it won't hurt them, if that makes sense. Because they have a narrow opening, the spray may not get all the way in to the bottom. And the exterior finish could get etched with repeated dishwashing, just as glass or anything else can.

[petra_william]

in the uk you can get sterilizing tablets, but dont know if thats an option. since they can go in teh dishwasher though i guess boiling them shouldnt be a problem/ ive filled hot drinks into my siggs before and they've been ok

[Think of Winter]

If you have a bottle brush, and use hot, soapy water, that should be enough to kill any germs. Do you think you have a residue in there? Can you shine a light into it? Someone posted on one of my coops about a gunk in their kk, but I can't figure out where gunk would come from if you're only using it for water.

[bender]

I got some small bottle brushes for my camelbak water bottle. I've also seen some for narrow diameter bottles with the hummingbird feeder supplies.

I've found that denture tablets are great for cleaning inside thermoses and other small spaces. Plus, they're cheap.

[jeninejessica]

Does anyone know if the ThinkSport bottles are also dishwasher safe? I'm fairly confident the inside of mine is clean- but the plastic around the mouth of the bottle is what worries me about carrying germs! Throwing it in boiling water would save me some hassle!

[MommyErin]

Originally Posted by 4evermom

It isn't recommended but it won't hurt them, if that makes sense.

Thanks! Good to know! I've always been ultra-paranoid about putting them in the dishwasher.

[tracyhos]

I've been running mine through the dishwasher lately. I hand washed them when I first got them...but laziness and dry hands won out, and so in the dishwasher they go.

I did read up on them, and got the same info a PP said, they are ok in the dishwasher. It just might affect the finish on the outside. Well so does my driveway and sidewalk when my 3 yr. old drags it around on the ground while his brothers pull him in the wagon.

It is true with the narrow opening vs. the larger diameter of the rest of the cup, you might not get optimal results in the dishwasher. With the sprays from the dishwasher reaching the whole interior/ bottom of the Sigg...but we've never had a problem. I suppose if you had something really like thick like a milk shake or something in there it might not come totally clean...but ours are just used for milk or water. And I give them a quick rinse before putting them in the dishwasher.

You can buy bottle cleaning tablets at reusablebags.com I haven't used them personally, but you might try that if you don't want to do the dishwasher route.

[MommyErin]

OP, I was thinking about this as I was hanging laundry this morning and I was wondering if you aren't allergic to mold. The siggs have a nasty habit of getting a bit moldy around the sealing ring and inside the white cap. I would take the whole top apart and run it through your dishwasher and soak the ring in some hot soapy water as well.

Of course, if you don't have the drinking spout lid, this advice is useless!

[TEAK's Mom]

Originally Posted by 4evermom

Or fill the sigg with rum, lol.

I like the way you think!

[malibusunny]

Originally Posted by 4evermom

Or fill the sigg with rum, lol.

Brilliant.

Vodka would be even more brilliant, though. :

[omelette]

I pour boiling water in mine every so often to kill anything that may be growing inside.

I recently switched to a Klean Kanteen (stainless steel interior) because of the small opening of the SIGG and the coating has worn off where the lid screws on and it has exposed the aluminum.

[MommyErin]

Originally Posted by omelette

I recently switched to a Klean Kanteen (stainless steel interior) because of the small opening of the SIGG and the coating has worn off where the lid screws on and it has exposed the aluminum.

My DC use SIGGs but I personally prefer my Klean Kanteen. I use the heck out of it and it does wonderfully in the dish washer.

[Melaine]

We use vinegar to clean our klean kanteens and find it works well. It gives me extra confidence that we're getting them all the way clean, ya know?