How To Clean A Hydrogen Water Bottle? Easy and Effective Methods

If you thought you could clean your hydrogen water bottle using any regular detergent soap or liquid or let your dishwasher do the job, then BE CAREFUL! You will be making a grave mistake here because they are very different from your conventional water bottles.

Yes, you can clean the glass body using a mild soap and warm water, but you must be extremely cautious about cleaning its electrolyzing cup. These sophisticated components are very sensitive to chemicals and might even get damaged upon incorrect exposure.

Damaging the electrolyzing cup renders your hydrogen water generator practically useless. So, it is vital to know the right way to wash your bottle and use the appropriate cleansing agents. This will help ensure the LONGEVITY of your bottle and also preserve the QUALITY of the hydrogen water generated.

What Happens If You Don’t Clean Your Hydrogen Water Bottle Regularly?

Before we find out the steps involved in cleaning a hydrogen water bottle, do you know why we need to wash these bottles from time to time? Well, of course, for the sake of HYGIENE and HEALTH safety, but that is not the only reason. Let me tell you what happens when you keep using these bottles for months without cleaning them thoroughly.

You must be aware that tap water often contains certain DISSOLVED SALTS in the form of chemical contaminants. When you use regular tap water to generate hydrogen-rich water in your bottle, electrolysis not only splits water into its components but also affects the contaminants present in water.

These dissolved chemicals also split into their constituents and get deposited along the surface of the SPE/PEM electrodes (cathode and anode) of the hydrogen water generator in the form of scales. Repeated and long-term use, without washing, gradually thickens the SCALING or layer of precipitate, thereby blocking the surface of the electrodes and hampering their efficiency.

If you notice fewer hydrogen bubbles over time while using the bottle, this might be an indication for deep cleaning your bottle. Regular cleaning ensures that the electrodes function flawlessly, that the integrity of your bottle remains unhampered, and that the concentration of molecular hydrogen generated remains unchanged. So, ultimately, your hydrogen water bottle lasts for the longest time, and you can also reap its MAXIMUM BENEFITS.

I also want to mention that it is important to read the maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturer before cleaning your bottle. But what’s the best practice? Let’s find out now.

So, How To Clean A Hydrogen Water Bottle?

I have read and then tested various methods over the past several months. What I’ve found is that you need separate methods for daily and periodic deep cleaning.

A. Daily Cleaning After Hydrogen Water Generation

1. First, remove the lid and take out any detachable parts.
2. Rinse all components with warm water to wash away any loose debris or residue.
3. Next, apply a small amount of mild dish soap to a soft sponge or bottle brush, then gently scrub the inside and outside of the bottle.
4. If the hydrogen generator can be detached, clean it carefully with a soft brush or cloth. Be sure to avoid submerging any electronic parts in water.
5. Thoroughly rinse all parts with warm water to eliminate any soap residue.
6. Shake off excess water from each part, then let them air dry completely to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
7. Once everything is dry, reassemble the bottle, ensuring all parts fit securely.

B. Deep Cleaning And Descaling

Using vinegar to deep clean your hydrogen water bottle at least once a month (or week, if recommended by any specific manufacturer) is certainly the best practice. Wondering WHY? Well, it is not only convenient but also quick and practically effortless. Here are the steps I follow.

1. Before cleaning, ensure your bottle is fully charged and empty. Here is a guide detailing the charging process.
2. For the cleaning solution, I typically mix one part white vinegar with three parts water. Alternatively, you can use a 1:1 ratio of vinegar to water.
3. Fill the bottle with this solution, lock the lid, and turn it on.
4. Run several rounds of electrolysis to let the solution work its magic.
5. You’ll know it’s working when you see a lot of bubbles, indicating the scales on the electrodes are being cleared. At this point, turn off the bottle.
6. Next, discard the vinegar solution.
7. Thoroughly rinse the hydrogen water machine with either normal or distilled water.
8. Refill the bottle with 8 ounces of regular or distilled water and run one round of electrolysis.
9. Afterward, turn off the bottle and dispose of the water.
10. Rinse the bottle again until the vinegar’s smell and taste are completely gone.
11. Now, your hydrogen water bottle is deep cleaned and ready for regular use.
12. Lastly, ensure the device is entirely dry before using it.

Although this is the best method to clean a hydrogen water bottle, it has some disadvantages.

White vinegar is readily available and makes cleaning your hydrogen water generator quick and easy. I’ve found this method to be both effective and simple. However, if you don’t have vinegar on hand or prefer a different approach, consider exploring some other cleaning processes.

Alternative Cleaning Methods

1. Using Citric Acid

You might consider using citric acid to thoroughly clean the generator after 20 to 30 uses to prevent the buildup of scales on the electrodes. The steps for this method are pretty simple, too.

• First, make sure to carefully disassemble the bottle or electrolyzer cup from your hydrogen water bottle.
• Dissolve 25 g of citric acid in 500 ml of warm water and pour this solution into the generator cup.
• Leave it aside, and allow it to soak for about 30 minutes, and then rinse well with clean or distilled water.
• Make sure that the device is entirely dry before using it again.

There are certain drawbacks to using this method. However, I suggest you do not use citric acid too frequently when you plan to deep clean your hydrogen water jar.

2. Applying Lime Juice

I’ve come across many people who prefer using lime or lemon juice to clean their hydrogen water bottles. Since lime juice contains natural citric acid, you can choose either one based on what’s most convenient for you.

If you also want to give this method a shot, here are the steps below.

• Fill your hydrogen water bottle with a small amount of plain water
• Add several drops of lime juice to the water.
• Close the lid of the bottle and shake it vigorously by holding it firmly and carefully.
• Then, leave it aside for about 30 minutes and let it soak.
• Rinse it thoroughly with tap water or distilled water.
• Make sure that the device is entirely dry before using it again.

Along with some benefits, this method also comes with certain drawbacks.

3. Utilizing Baking Soda

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is widely used to clean conventional water bottles because it is said to be highly effective in removing stains, mineral buildups, mold, and undesirable odors. What I generally do is, add 2 to 3 teaspoons of baking soda to a full bottle of water, and allow the solution to rest for a few hours. After that, I discard the solution and rinse the bottle thoroughly with warm water.

However, it might not be a good idea to use baking soda to clean your hydrogen water bottle. Firstly, baking soda reacts with water and generates some heat, which might have a NEGATIVE IMPACT on the electrolyzer components of the bottle. Besides, baking soda might leave a weird after-taste that adds a disagreeable taste to your hydrogen-rich water.

4. Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a fantastic disinfectant and is known to be an equally effective cleansing agent. The usual process of cleaning water bottles with this disinfectant is by first rinsing the bottle with hot water and then pouring a quarter, i.e., one-fourth cup of hydrogen peroxide into it. Then, after shaking the bottle well, throw away the contents and rinse it thoroughly with warm water until no trace amounts of H₂O₂ remain.

But is it suitable for cleaning your hydrogen water machine? Ideally, you can clean it using hydrogen peroxide. However, it needs to be handled with great caution since it is EXTREMELY REACTIVE and can cause damage to our skin and even the electrolyzer unit.

So, Which Process Is Better And Why?

Now that we’ve explored various methods for cleaning hydrogen water bottles, it’s natural to wonder which one is the best.

CITRIC ACID is great for removing scaling and precipitate buildup on electrode surfaces. However, using it too often or in high concentrations can damage the PEM membrane and electrodes. Despite being mild, citric acid can damage the membrane or reduce its efficiency during electrolysis.

I’ve always struggled with getting the citric acid CONCENTRATION just right—too much can be harmful, and too little is ineffective. This is why I suggested earlier to avoid using citric acid for cleaning your hydrogen water generator.

LIME JUICE requires extra caution. You need to strain it thoroughly to remove any fruit fibers or pulp, as even a small amount can clog the PEM membrane’s pores, disrupting ion exchange during electrolysis.

This can result in lower-than-expected levels of molecular hydrogen in the water and may even cause your hydrogen water bottle to malfunction. Plus, lime juice contains citric acid, which, when used frequently, can also degrade the electrodes and membrane.

Therefore, I DON’T recommend using lime juice or citric acid for cleaning hydrogen water cups. We’ve already discussed why hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are not ideal either.

WHITE VINEGAR, on the other hand, offers specific advantages for deep cleaning. Firstly, it’s a very mild and non-toxic substance. White vinegar is the most readily available cleaning agent from our list (citric acid, lime, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide)—most of us have a bottle of vinegar in the kitchen. It’s easy to get, and its mild acetic acid effectively kills bacteria.

From my experience, white vinegar diluted in water is the best choice for deep cleaning any hydrogen water bottles.