Are Contigo Water Bottles Dishwasher Safe? (Find Out Now!)

Contigo is currently one of the most popular manufacturers of refillable water bottles out there. In recent years, reusable water bottles have grown in popularity for their numerous advantages. Not only do they help encourage the user to drink more water, they’re also better on the environment and your wallet than single-use plastic bottles.

Though, with daily use, your reusable water bottle can become a breeding ground for bacteria, buildup, and potentially even mold. For this reason, it’s important that you adequately clean your water bottle on a regular basis – which brings us to the question: “Are Contigo water bottles dishwasher safe?”

Upon doing research, we discovered that most Contigo water bottles and their detachable parts are top-rack dishwasher safe. This includes the lids, straws, plastic bodies, and even glass bodies with silicone sleeves. However, the Contigo water bottles with stainless steel bodies – including the Contigo AUTOSPOUT Stainless Steel Water Bottle – are not dishwasher safe and should be hand washed.

With that said, let’s explore the proper techniques to cleaning a Contigo water bottle. That way, you can enjoy the benefits of your reusable water bottle, without exposing yourself to germs and bacteria.

Since they are both affordable and widely available, plastic Contigo water bottles are among the most popular. As an added bonus, they don’t contain the harmful BPA that most single-use plastic bottles do. Unfortunately, though, the drawback to plastic water bottles is that they tend to retain some of the odors or flavors of what you store inside.

There are a number of different plastic water bottle models available from Contigo, but the good news is that they are all dishwasher safe. You can place the lid, plastic body, and the straw (if it has one) on the top rack of your dishwasher.

Of course, you can still hand wash these bottles if you’d prefer to do so, or if you simply don’t have a dishwasher in your home. Follow these steps to hand wash your plastic Contigo water bottle:

Undeniably, glass is seen as one of the best materials for storing food and liquids. It won’t transfer any undesirable odors or flavors into the water. Since glass is a non-porous material it is incredibly easy to clean and won’t absorb grime or stains. Like plastic Contigo water bottles, glass Contigo water bottles are also top-rack dishwasher safe. This includes the lid, glass body, and even the silicone sleeve (if applicable).

If you choose to hand wash the water bottle instead, fill up the bottle with warm water and add in some mild dish soap. Scrub both the glass body and the attached lid using a bottle brush and rinse thoroughly. After you’re done cleaning, always store the bottle with the lid detached and allow all the components to dry completely before use.

Like glass, stainless steel is an excellent alternative to plastic water bottles – particularly for those who don’t want a water bottle that holds the flavors and smells of its contents. The downside to stainless steel Contigo water bottles is that the bodies are not dishwasher safe, and must be hand washed instead. The lid and straw, however, are top-rack dishwasher safe.

To hand wash a stainless steel Contigo water bottle, the cleaning method is similar to both glass and plastic bottles. Let the lid soak in hot, soapy water for about 10 minutes. Then, hand wash the lid, body, and straw using warm water, a mild detergent, and a bottle brush. Rinse all the components before use and leave them detached to dry fully.

In order for a dishwasher to be effective at sanitizing, it must reach the proper water temperature. Many dishwashers have sanitizing cycles, which just means the cycle is longer and hotter to kill germs. Since dishwashers provide a convenient way to sanitize your dishes, it’s logical to wonder whether or not your Contigo water bottles are dishwasher safe.

Fortunately, both plastic and glass Contigo water bottles, along with their attached components, are all top-rack dishwasher safe. The stainless steel bodies are the only Contigo bottles that cannot be placed in the dishwasher.

Related Questions

How often should I clean my Contigo water bottle?

The manufacturer says that you should wash your Contigo water bottle thoroughly before the first use. You should then rinse the bottle immediately after each use, by removing the straw and running warm water with the spout open. A thorough cleaning is recommended at least once a week.

Why does my reusable water bottle smell?

Although water may be the only thing you put in your reusable bottle, bacteria can get into the bottle via your mouth – resulting in a foul odor.