What's The Best Way To Clean A Cirkul Water Bottle?

Cirkul has built a devoted following by turning hydration into something customizable — letting users control the intensity of their flavor with drop-in flavor packets and a simple dial that releases the desired level of flavor into the water. But with that innovation comes a cleaning challenge. Between the bottle, lid, and flavor cartridge system, there are plenty of spots where residue can build up. And just like with Stanleys, don't forget the lid when it's time for a deep clean.

Cirkul states that its insulated squeeze bottles and lids are top-rack dishwasher safe, while its stainless steel bottles should be washed by hand. The Chill Sleeve can go in the washing machine, but the Shock Sleeve is a hand-wash-only job with warm water and dish soap. These little details make a difference — following the right cleaning methods keeps everything in good shape, while skipping them could lead to damage or, worse, an unintentional science experiment brewing inside your bottle.

The mouthpiece on water bottles is where things get tricky. To avoid E. coli, take note of the type of water bottle you have. A study by Treadmill Reviews showed that slide top bottles tend to have the highest levels of bacteria, followed by the squeeze-top styles that pop up when you want to take a sip. Straw-top bottles have the least. 

As some Cirkul users have pointed out, the design of the brand's Sip flavor cartridges, which house a squeeze-top style mouthpiece, makes deep cleaning more difficult. This is the part that comes into direct contact with your mouth. Making sure it's thoroughly scrubbed is key to keeping things fresh. 

Cirkul does not offer cleaning tips for the Sip mouthpieces. The cartridges provide enough flavor to equal at least six 20-ounce beverages and are meant to be used within 10 days. Users on social media, however, suggest using soap and water for everyday cleaning. – a quick scrub with warm water and dish soap helps remove surface residue before it builds up. Some Reddit users go above and beyond and suggest prying apart the sipper with a flathead screwdriver for a deep clean or using a straw brush to scrub the inside. 

Since Cirkul offers a variety of bottles and lids — in stainless steel and plastic — it is important to know how to clean your specific bottle, just as you need to know how to clean your Hydro Flask and how to clean your Owala bottle. Depending on the brand and the material, you may need to use different methods. But, with regular maintenance and the right tools, keeping your water and your water bottle fresh is entirely manageable.