When it’s time for a health kick, one of the first things that you should consider buying is a blender bottle. This bottle is a type of blender that can also be used as a drinking bottle.
This means that you can blend multiple pieces of fruit together and then drink the blended liquid out of the same bottle. This is advantageous because it means you don’t have to go through the process of blending food in one bottle before transferring it to a drinking bottle.
One of the downsides of a blender bottle is the fact that it can get really messy. After each use, you are going to need to thoroughly clean all parts of it to ensure no leftover food is left lingering.
While the easiest thing to do would be to put it in the dishwasher, is this the recommended way forward? Today, we’ll be looking at this as well as looking at some alternative cleaning methods for these bottles.
Can you put a blender bottle in the dishwasher? The simple answer?
The majority of blender bottles are safe for dishwasher use, however, there are certain versions that should be hand washed instead.
In terms of products made by the official Blender Bottle company, the Blender Bottle Radian should never be washed in a dishwasher. This is because the layer of insulation that can be found on this type of bottle would be vulnerable to the extreme temperatures produced in a dishwasher.
In terms of unbranded blender bottles, we would recommend that you refrain from constantly washing any plastic versions in a dishwasher. Bottle blenders are items that are going to need to be washed regularly due to the messy nature of blending and this is problematic when it comes to plastic.
While the odd wash here or there in the dishwasher won’t cause any damage, if you are using it every time your plastic bottle needs a wash then damage and warping are possibilities.
Generally speaking, a good rule to follow would be to read the manufacturers cleaning instructions on your chosen bottle. You will find that many of them recommend that you place your blender bottles on the top shelf of a dishwasher if you do elect to use this cleaning method.
Why you should hand wash your bottle blenders instead
Hand washing your bottle blenders may well be a better option than using your dishwasher for a number of reasons. First of all, as we’ve already mentioned, the heat that dishwashers produce can have an adverse effect on drinking bottles. Hand washing them in warm, soapy water is a surefire way of guaranteeing they aren’t exposed to these extreme temperatures.
Secondly, items can become damaged in dishwashers when they aren’t secured properly. If sharp items, such as kitchen knives, become loose then they could pierce through your blender bottle and permanently break it. You can avoid this possibility by hand washing your bottle instead.
Finally, if your blender bottle is producing foul-smelling odours then a dishwasher isn’t going to provide a full solution. Sure, it may help reduce the severity of the odour but it isn’t going to rid your bottle of it completely. Instead, employ a hand-washing technique, specific to removing bad smells.
How to remove bad odours from your blender bottle?
If you are battling bad odours on your blender bottle then there are a few things that you should consider doing. The first technique involves baking soda and vinegar and the method is as follows:
- Rinse out your bottle blender with warm water and leave it to dry.
- While it’s drying, mix together some baking soda and vinegar until you have a nice, smooth solution.
- Once the bottle is dry, pour the solution into the bottle and cover the lid. Shake the solution around so that it covers every inch of the bottle.
- Leave it to stand overnight, with the lid left open, and come back to it in the morning.
- In the morning, empty the solution from the bottle with water and then leave it to dry. Once it’s fully dry, the odour should be gone.
Another effective method for removing odours from your bottle blend involves pap towels and vanilla extract. I know you’re probably thinking this is an unusual combination but bare with us. The method is as follows:
- Rinse out your bottle blender with warm water and leave it to dry.
- While it’s drying, sprinkle some vanilla extract onto several different paper towels.
- Once the bottle blender is dry, crumple up the paper towels and stuff them inside the bottle. Try and fill as much of the bottle up as possible.
- Screw back on the lid and leave the bottle to sit for 24 hours.
- When you come back to it in 24 hours, take the paper towels out of the bottle and give it another rinse. Leave it to dry – the odours should then be gone.
Can you clean your bottle blender lid in the dishwasher?
Even though many manufacturers will say that their bottles are dishwasher safe, this doesn’t always extend to the lids. The lid is a vital part of a blender bottle as without it, blending simply isn’t going to be possible so you must ensure they are in tip-top condition at all times.
The lids that come with bottle blenders should also be hand washed rather than put in the dishwasher. These lids are often quite flimsy and are therefore more susceptible to damage in a dishwasher.
To wash these lids effectively, you should place them in a bucket of warm soapy water before giving them a thorough scrub with a dish-soap-soaked cleaning-up sponge. There is no need to hand dry these lids (unless you are in a rush) so leave them on a drying rack to dry off.
Conclusion
To conclude, the majority of bottle blenders are safe for dishwasher use, however, there are exceptions to the rule. While most manufacturers will outline cleaning instructions on the bottle, a key point to remember is that it is good practice to avoid washing plastics in a dishwasher over and over again.