Comments on: Caring for Stainless Steel Water Bottles

By: Corina

Corina — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:30:25 +0000

Hi Julie,
Thanks for the comments regarding stainless steel bottles. The different ratios can be a little bit confusing and we appreciate you clarifying for our readers what the numbers represent. I do have to disagree with you, though, about the better quality bottles being 18/8, as opposed to 18/0 because some health experts are questioning the safety of overexposure to nickel. The Watergeeks have made it their mission to provide the safest possible drinking vessels and have thus made the decision to build their bottles out of 18/0 steel, rather than the more “stainless” 18/8. I personally alternate between my Klean Kanteen and Watergeeks bottles. Can’t hurt, right?!

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:30:28 +0000

Hi. Rusting also depends on the “type” of stainless steel. Alot of bottles say stainless steel on them, but there are different qualities. My husband works with steel, so I know about this stuff (hee hee).

The high quality bottles are made of 18/8 stainless steel. This means it’s made of 18% chromium (which is for the hardness/durability) and 8% nickel (which is there to protect against corrosion/rusting). It’s the type of stainless that restaurant kitchens and sinks are made of. It’s the good stuff!!

The cheap bottles will probably just say “stainless steel” on them — and will probably be made of 18/0 stainless (meaning that there is no nickel); also meaning that they will eventually rust!

So I would say to stick with the good quality 18/8 stainless. The top ones out there seem to be either Klean Kanteens or FOF bottles. We bought 4 FOF bottles (better price) and love them.

By: Ida

Ida — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:19:17 +0000

hi. is it safe to wash it in dish washer?

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:01:06 +0000

yes, of course the primary function of a water bottle is to carry water however stainless steel bottles are not meant to do so for extended periods of time. They are still made of steel which can rust with excessive exposure. The "stainless" part can only hold up for so long. That is why it is important to dry out your bottle everyday if you want it to last a long time.
The lemon juice and baking soda paste is a remedy for rust spots as it creates an abrasive cleaner which removes the spots. The lemon juice increases the cleaning power of the baking soda. This is a lot different that leaving juice in the bottle for three days straight. It is rinsed immediately. Juice is highly acidic and will eat away at the stainless steel very quickly. A quick wipe will not.
Hope that helps.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 05:51:11 +0000

I don't understand why a "water bottle" would rust if you leave water in it. Isn't holding water for extended periods of time its primary function?

I'm also confused about the juice. They told you not to leave juice in the bottle or it can rust, but you were also told to clean rust spots with lemon juice?

By: Catherine A.

Catherine A. — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:44:00 +0000

WOW!! Thank you for the information.