Maybe it's just my water, but have you ever smelled the bottle after use? And after water has just been sitting in it for a while? Yuck! I HAVE to wash mine out before each use. They just stink too much.

And as for putting them in the dishwasher, I'd be afraid of doing that because of all I've heard about re-heating things in the microwave in plastic containers. That just freaks me out. And I can't see how dishwashing plastic bottles would be any different than microwaving in plastics (with the extreme heat factor) unless the two are made from different plastics. I just wouldn't do it to be safe.

This is my take on them.

When I have one (which isn't often anymore) I will re-use it a couple of times. My research on them is that they were not designed to contain water long term (that is why most of the have expiration dates on them). It isn't because the water is expiring but because the plastic is breaking down.

So I'll re-use it a couple of times and then it is gone. I wouldn't wash them in the dishwasher because (and again this is me) is seems that the heating from the washer would help speed up the process of the plastic breakdown. Again, like someone mentioned above, leaving them in your car on a hot summer day, to me, seems like the same thing.

Also, when I do use a plastic container, I always put fresh water in it - in case of the plastic breakdown.

But that is me.

I reuse my bottles. I do give them a good wash before refilling them. My kids go through the water so often. I always just throw them out if they get a cold so not to spread the germs.

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No , I Don't Put Plastics In the microwave Or Dishwasher anymore.

I Know that was One of the things on The Cancer Sheet My Hubbys Grandmom Got from Johns Hopkins - It was all About plastics and It is Definatly Not a Good Idea to Over Heat plastic that is Used For Drinking and eating.
I Always remind Dh not to let His water Bottles sit in the Direct sun too.

Ok , I am thinking that Bottled Water is still one of the Cheapest Beverages , so I Am Going to Keep Buying it, And not Worry about Reuse and Waste But no more Flavored Waters .
I Bought a Few Of the Crystal Light Lemon Flavors at Target today , and I Also Love the Idea of adding Fresh Fruit!

I Of Course can Poor My Own Tap Water , and I Will Get the Kids to Refill their Water Bottles One time before Recycling.

I re-use them.. I just hand-wash them out and throw them out after a certain time-frame.

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Mary
mom to Jacob 6 yrs. old (first grader!!)
Nathan 5 yrs. old (registered for kindergarten!!)
wife to Matt for 7 yrs.

I worked for the CFIA.. It is safe to re-use water bottles. But you must limit the number of times, or find a way to sterilize them after a few uses. Water can allow for bacteria, mold and yeast growth, even without the added nutrients. A simple bleach rinse will extend the life.

I do it.. They are great when you fill them and freeze and then take them with you on trips, coldest water in the world as it melts.

TJ

we switched to sigg and kleen water bottles they have no plastic we do have some of the new number water bottles made with different plastic that you can refill (you can find them at most major sporting good stores) they have already paid for themselves.. but we also have good tap water if i did not i'm sure i would be buying water bottles like everyone else...

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'The will of God will never take you where the
Grace of God will not protect you.'

As for washing bottles in a dishwasher... Unless you have a washer that can aim the water and detergent up into the bottle, you are not really cleaning it, and should probably rinse it afterwards. But note that most manufacturers do wash the bottles in "dishwashers" before filling them. Water bottling facilities have VERY strict sanitation requirements.

I would think you would be better off buying a couple of BRITA bottles.

TJ

I decided to stop reusing water bottles a couple years ago when one was left in our car for the day. That night it tasted just like plastic/chemicals. If one day in a hot car will do that, then it seems to me that the plastics break down quite easily.

We don't even buy bottled water anymore, except for the very rare occasion that we are out of our own water and nowhere near home.

We use Kleen Kanteen reusable water bottles, and the girls each have a stainless steel Thermos straw sippy, and a Funtainer stainless steel straw sippy.

We don't put any plastics in the microwave or in the dishwasher. I've actually been getting rid of a lot of my plastic kitchenware, but I still have quite a bit of Tupperware and I prefer to handwash it. I just don't think plastics should be exposed to high heat.

I also put the Klean Kanteen bottles in the freezer so that they are nice and cold as they melt.

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