Do any of you re-use those plastic water bottles?

**Daisygirl** · 01-02-2008, 08:39 AM

We re-use them like crazy here. A 12 pack of bottled water from the store lasts us about 2 months because we wash and refill them and put them back in the fridge. It is much better for the environment too. I have not yet found a non-disposable water bottle that doesn't leak, my kids were coming home with their backpacks completely soaked and I like to throw a bottle in my purse on the way out the door.

I keep reading however, about the chemicals leaching in from the plastic with reuse.

What I don't understand is how those chemicals aren't leaching in when it is the water bottled by the company. Is this just a myth started by the wAter companies? Does anyone know about this?

**PrairieRose** · 01-02-2008, 08:49 AM

I read that the chems leaking is just an urban myth. We reuse our's all the time. We wash and refill, reuse for a long time. I can't stand to throw all those bottles away......I try not buy a new one unless we're travelling and then we buy a case and throw them away.....sigh.

**Paperclip** · 01-02-2008, 09:29 AM

I had heard that if u wash them with hot water then chemicals leak into the water, but if you don't wash it in hot water than how isit clean.

Bottles should not be washed and refilled more than a couple of times because they are difficult to clean and become an ideal environment for bacterial growth.

**LexTysMommy** · 01-02-2008, 09:37 AM

What about getting some washable plastic water bottles ( like workout bottles) a different color for each person. I got a 3 of them from dollar store.

Our grocery store has a bottle water refiller. Take empty jug there and it is .30 to refill a gallon. Then empty into the containers.

I started doing this to save money after I heard of the chemical myth. Better to be safe.

**shortcake** · 01-02-2008, 09:48 AM

I re-use them also and I am trying to convince DH and kids to do the same. My youngest seems to be doing it but DH keeps buying cases of bottles ahhhh! got to work on him more. Over the years I have bought a lot of the refill lunch bottles and found it so frustrating that I could never find a brand that didn't leak. I ordered two laptop lunch kits and I am hoping that the bottle that comes with it doesn't leak. I can't wait to get my lunch kits. One for my daughter and one for me yeah! I want to make waste free lunches. We were always buying prepacked lunch items, well no more. Reduce, re-use & recycle from now on.

**guest002** · 01-02-2008, 09:54 AM

I have sport bottles that were meant to be washed/reused. That's what we use for our water bottles on the go.

**baxjul** · 01-02-2008, 09:57 AM

I don't. But when I was working outside of the home, I did. Now, I just don't have to, I drink my water from the sink. My dd and dh have bottles that I bought them to take to school and work.

**kristan** · 01-02-2008, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by Paperclip

Bottles should not be washed and refilled more than a couple of times because they are difficult to clean and become an ideal environment for bacterial growth.

What she said! Unless you clean them regularly and thoroughly they become a breeding ground for bacteria.

**emily_hope** · 01-02-2008, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Paperclip

Bottles should not be washed and refilled more than a couple of times because they are difficult to clean and become an ideal environment for bacterial growth.

I have refilled bottles once or twice and then thrown them away. This is what I understand to be true as well, that you can not get them sterilized and they breed bacteria.

**Daisygirl** · 01-02-2008, 10:57 AM

I clean them this way:

My tap water is extremely hot. I fill a sink full of hot water with the antibacterial dish soap. I soak them for about an hour, then I drain the sink and refill with clean hot water a couple of times. Then I rinse and refill.

I love the idea of the sport bottles, but as I said before, I have yet to find any that do not leak. Those of you that use them: where did you find the ones that do not leak?

**shortcake** · 01-02-2008, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by kristan

What she said! Unless you clean them regularly and thoroughly they become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Even if you just fill them with water?

**bumplett** · 01-02-2008, 11:11 AM

I've never been able to find a sports bottle that didn't leak

Yes, I refill my empty bottles with water from the fridge. (it's filtered & it's cold)

**imforpeace** · 01-02-2008, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by Daisygirl

I love the idea of the sport bottles, but as I said before, I have yet to find any that do not leak. Those of you that use them: where did you find the ones that do not leak?

The best bottles that we have {leak free} have been freebies from festivals or schools. The ones that I buy always leak. So, go find the free ones!!!

**Darlene** · 01-02-2008, 11:19 AM

I really like my cheap reusable sportline 18oz bottle from Walmart. I think it was around $5. Hasn't leaked for me & has a clip so you can clip it to backpack/belt etc. It has a steel like top & base & middle is plastic.