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The Spruce / Lecia Landis
If you have a reusable water bottle, you likely know how cumbersome it can be to clean. While some options can go in the dishwasher, other options are too delicate and must be hand washed, but it can be difficult to fit your hand and sponge inside. That’s why water bottle cleaning brushes are such an important tool to have in your cleaning arsenal. “People are understandably concerned about what's growing in their reusable water bottles, which is why using a good bottle cleaning brush is so important,” says Katie Berry, a member of The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board and internationally recognized home cleaning expert. This helpful tool is designed to fit into any water bottle and scrub away bacteria, hard water stains, debris, and more.
From bristled to silicone options to multi-tool kits, there are plenty of water bottle cleaning brushes on the market. We’ve spent hours researching the best water bottle cleaning brushes, evaluating their size, material, cleaning abilities, and dishwasher compatibility.
Here are the best water bottle cleaning brushes, backed by our research.
Best Overall
OXO Good Grips Water Bottle Cleaning Set
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Includes three brushes for specific cleaning tasks
Dual bristles for effective cleaning
Nonslip grip
Easy to store
Bristles don’t go all around the head
May not use all brushes in the set
This three-piece set from OXO can get into all the nooks and crannies of a water bottle, resulting in a superior cleaning performance. It includes a long brush for cleaning the interior of bottles, an extremely narrow brush that can get inside of straws, and a round brush that’s ideal for cleaning crevices in caps. Unlike traditional water bottle cleaning brushes, the long brush does not have bristles circling the entire head, but it still gives an effective cleaning. All of the brushes have nonslip handles, which makes them comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver. For added convenience, they are stored together on a handy ring and simply snap off when needed.
Most water bottle cleaning brushes are made of silicone, but the OXO set features stiff nylon bristles, which provide more scrubbing power. The long brush features dual-action bristles: Stiff blue bristles at the top for more intense scrubbing and soft, white bristles on the side for a gentler cleaning. Measuring 12.5 inches in length, the handle is long enough to reach the bottom of most bottles. The hard bristles at the tip of the brush head are great at removing sediment and residue. Unfortunately, the brushes aren’t dishwasher-safe, so you’ll need to clean them by hand. And, depending on the features of your water bottle, you may not have a use for all of the brushes in this kit. Still, for under $15, this is a stellar performer that gets the job done.
Price at time of publish: $12
Amount: 3 brushes per set | Material: Nylon bristles, other materials not listed | Dimensions: 17.5 x 4.25 x 2.13 inches | Weight: 4.3 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: No
Best Budget
Mr.Siga Long Handle Bottle Brush
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Amazon
Long length for optimal reach
Comfortable
Nonslip grip
Dual bristles for effective cleaning
Less scrubbing power than other options
Bristles can shed
These water bottle brushes from Mr. Siga are affordably priced and come as a set of two. The brush head features two types of bristles for a thorough cleaning: Stiffer gray bristles at the tip remove stubborn stains at the bottom of water bottles, while the black side bristles effectively clean the walls of the bottles. The 12.8-inch handle can get deep into bottles, and it’s covered in rubber for a comfortable, nonslip grip. It also features a hanging hole at the end for easy storage.
Since the bristles are flexible, the brushes fit easily into almost all types of water bottles–even those with narrow necks. The bristles are softer than some other options, so if you need an abrasive option for intense scrubbing, this may not be the best option. It also sheds more than other options, meaning you may have to replace it more often. However, that’s easy to do since they’re under $20. When it’s time for cleanup, simply toss them in the dishwasher.
Price at time of publish: $14
Amount: 2 | Material: TPR, rubber | Dimensions: 12.8 x 2.3 inches | Weight: 6 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Best Silicone
Kitchiny Silicone Bottle Brush
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Amazon
More durable than a nylon brush
Won’t scratch surfaces
Resistant to odors and bacteria
Comes in various colors
Less scrubbing power than other options
Smaller brush head than other options
This silicone brush from Kitchiny has a long, 12.5-inch handle that gets deep down into most water bottles. Most of our top picks feature nylon bristles, but these are made of silicone, which has plenty of advantages. Silicone bristles are softer, which means they’re less likely to scratch bottles. They‘re also more resistant to odors and bacteria and won’t bend or fall out like nylon bristles tend to do. The silicone design also provides a soft, comfortable grip. A downside to this brush—and silicone brushes in general—is that they tend to have a little less scrubbing power. This one also has a smaller head, measuring only 1.3 inches wide, so it may seem small for larger water bottles. However, it still does an excellent job of cleaning and removing residue.
For added convenience, this brush is dishwasher safe and heat-resistant up to 400 degrees F, so you can thoroughly clean and sanitize it as needed. It can also be hung up to dry by the handle. The Kitchiny Silicone Bottle Brush comes in five colors, including red and lime green, to suit various tastes. As a bonus, it’s also super affordable.
Price at time of publish: $10
Amount: 1 | Material: Silicone | Dimensions: 1.3 x 1.3 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 2.08 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Best Kit
Turbo Microfiber Bottle Brush Cleaner Pack
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Amazon
Sturdy and durable handles
Stiff bristles provide powerful scrubbing
Affordably priced
Curved wire tip doesn’t fit narrow bottles
Bristles can shed
This comprehensive set from Turbo Microfiber covers all the bases so you can clean every nook and cranny of your water bottles. Five brushes are included: two extra large brushes for water bottles, one narrow brush for long neck bottles, a small brush for crevices, and a straw brush. The longest brush features a sturdy bamboo handle that’s comfortable to grip and gets deep into water bottles. At the other end of the scale, the smallest brush has a thin wire handle that’s perfect for scrubbing inside straws. All of the brushes have stiff nylon bristles that deliver superb scrubbing action and remove tough grime, although the bristles can shed more than other options. Meanwhile, the wires are made of rust-resistant stainless steel to ensure durability. The wires also curve at the end of the brushes, making the tip wider than the rest of the brush, so this may prevent it from fitting into narrower bottles.
While some brushes are only compatible with certain water bottles, this set is versatile enough to clean bottles of shapes and sizes. It can also be used to clean baby bottles, wine decanters, and a variety of other items. All of the brushes are dishwasher safe, so cleanup is a breeze. Considering this set includes an arsenal of cleaning tools, it’s very affordably priced.
Price at time of publish: $18
Amount: 5 | Material: Plastic, stainless steel, bamboo | Dimensions: 2.5 x 15.5 inches (extra large brushes), 1 x 15 inches (narrow brush), 1 x 10 inches (small brush), 0.2 x 10 inches (straw brush) | Weight: 2.89 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Best for Straws
GFDesign Drinking Straw Cleaning Brushes Set
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Amazon
Includes four brushes
Flexible handle for maneuverability
Affordably priced
Doesn’t include a water bottle brush
Lacks a ring for convenient storage
This affordable set includes four different-sized brushes to clean all types of drinking straws. The handles are made of flexible stainless steel wire for optimal maneuverability. The brush heads feature soft nylon bristles, which are ideal for scrubbing, and their spiral design allows for thorough cleaning of the straw wall. Even better, the ends of each brush have a protective, rounded design to prevent scratches.
However, it’s important to note that this set doesn’t come with a water bottle brush. It only includes two 8-inch brushes, one 10-inch brush, and a 12-inch brush. It also doesn’t come with a ring to store them together, but you can remedy this by using a twist tie if you have an extra one on hand. All of the brushes are dishwasher-safe, which is a big plus, and the entire set retails for under $5, so if you lose one or run them into the ground, they’re super easy to replace.
Price at time of publish: $4
Amount: 4 | Material: Stainless steel handle, nylon bristles | Dimensions: 8 x 0.375 inches (small), 10 x 0.375 inches (medium), 12 x 0.5 inches (large) | Weight: 0.6 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Best for Large Bottles
Hiware 16 in. Bottle Brush Cleaner
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Amazon
Long length for optimal reach
Flexible bristles fit narrow openings
Comfortable handle
Easy to store
Bristles can shed or bend
Wire tip can scratch bottles
Measuring over 16 inches long, this Hiware brush is perfect for cleaning taller water bottles. The brush head itself is 8 inches long, allowing you to thoroughly clean the interior of the bottle. While the flexible bristles can easily slide into narrow-necked bottles, they’re still firm enough to give the canister a good scrubbing. Over time the bristles can bend or shed and expose the wire tip, which may scratch your bottles, but they’re easy to replace if needed. The bristles are attached to a bendable wire, so you can maneuver it to reach all the nooks and crevices inside the bottle.
This brush features a curved plastic handle, which makes it comfortable to grip. It also has a hang hole at the end for convenient drying and storage. Sold as a set of two, these Hiware brushes are very affordable. To top it all off, they can go in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
Price at time of publish: $9
Amount: 2 | Material: Polypropylene handle | Dimensions: 1.5 x 4 x 17 inches | Weight: 0.64 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Best Eco-Friendly
ELDR Supply Wooden Bottle Brush
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Amazon
Zero waste product
Long length for optimal reach
Stiff bristles provide powerful scrubbing
Multi-purpose cleaning brush
Won’t fit into narrower bottles
Handle can be uncomfortable to hold
Lacks a ring for convenient storage
With a wooden handle and hemp bristles, this bottle brush from ELDR is 100 percent biodegradable—making it a great choice for environmentally conscious consumers. The extra long, 14-inch handle allows the brush to get into all those hard-to-reach places. However, since it is solid wood, it’s not as comfortable to hold as other options. The stiff bristles provide plenty of scrubbing action, and they’re very effective at tackling tough smoothie and coffee stains. However, the bristles aren’t flexible enough to fit into narrower bottles. For that reason, this brush is best suited for wide-mouth bottles. It can also be used to clean vases, pots, pans, and other household items.
To further reduce waste, the ELDR bottle brush comes in plastic-free packaging. Note that this tool should not go in the dishwasher. The manufacturer recommends washing it with soap and vinegar and letting it air dry. Unfortunately, the brush lacks a hanging hole or loop, which would make it easier to hang up to dry and store when not in use.
Amount: 1 | Material: Wood, hemp bristles | Dimensions: 14 x 2.5 x 14 inches | Weight: 1.58 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: No
Best for Stainless Steel
The Coldest Water Bottle Brush
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Amazon
Nonslip grip
Includes 3 brushes for specific cleaning tasks
Easy to store
Bristles don’t go all around the head
Won’t fit into narrower bottles
This trio of brushes was specifically designed to clean stainless steel water bottles. Measuring 14 inches long, the bottle brush is long enough to clean standard and larger-sized bottles (although, it is too wide to fit into narrow-head bottles). The bristles deliver plenty of scrubbing power without scratching any surfaces. However, since the bristles are only on one side of the brush, it will take a little more elbow grease to clean an entire bottle. The plastic handle is sturdy and comfortable to grip, making it easy to maneuver.
The set also includes a water bottle straw brush and a rounded brush, ideal for cleaning bottle caps and other crevices. Unfortunately, the manufacturer doesn’t provide any cleaning instructions, so it’s unclear if the brushes are dishwasher safe. All three tools can be stored together on a ring, which can be hung up almost anywhere in a kitchen for easy access.
Price at time of publish: $13
Amount: 3 | Material: Plastic, rubber, stainless steel | Dimensions: Not listed | Weight: 3.8 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Not listed
Our top pick is the OXO Good Grips Water Bottle Cleaning Set, which includes three brushes to thoroughly clean bottles and straws. The brushes feature comfortable, nonslip handles and nylon bristles that effectively remove dirt, grime, and stubborn residue. The MR.SIGA Long Handle Bottle Brush comes in a set of two, giving you more bang for your buck. These brushes offer a long handle for deeper reach and two types of bristles for versatile cleaning.
What to Look for in a Water Bottle Cleaning Brush
Size and Amount
Water bottle cleaning brushes come in various sizes; be sure to choose a brush that’s the best fit for your water bottle. A brush with a long handle is ideal for reaching the bottom of larger water bottles. The longer handle will also provide more leverage when cleaning the walls of the canister. For narrow neck bottles, you’ll want a tool with a compact brush head or flexible bristles that will fit into the small opening.
Since water bottle straws also attract grime, a separate brush designed specifically for straws would be a smart investment. You could also purchase a set that includes both tools to maximize your cleaning options. Some sets also come with a smaller brush to tackle lids, corners, and crevices. Multi-tool kits tend to be a better value because they provide an assortment of brushes for a deeper clean at relatively the same cost.
Material
Silicone brushes are typically softer than traditional bristle brushes and are less likely to scratch water bottles. If you intend to clean glassware and other delicate items, a silicone brush is probably a safer bet. Another advantage to silicone bristles is that they’re less likely to bend or shed like nylon bristles often do. On the other hand, a brush with nylon or plastic bristles—particularly those that are stiffer—will deliver more scrubbing power.
Dishwasher Compatibility
Some water bottle cleaning brushes are dishwasher safe, which is a nice convenience, but others are not. To determine whether your brush is dishwasher safe, refer to the manufacturer’s care instructions. After every use, you should rinse the brush with hot water to prevent germs and bacteria from building up. If it can’t go in the dishwasher, you can disinfect the brush head at least once a week by dipping it into a solution of hot water and chlorine bleach.
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How do you clean a water bottle without a brush?
“An easy way to clean a bottle without using a brush is by adding a couple of teaspoons of raw rice and a drop of dish soap, then filling it halfway with hot water,” says Katie Berry, a member of The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board and internationally recognized home cleaning expert. Once you’ve done this, put the lid on the bottle and give it a good shake. “The rice will scrub the bottle interior, and the soap will clean it.” Afterward, empty the bottle and rinse it thoroughly.
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Are silicone brushes good for cleaning bottles?
Some of the top-selling water bottle cleaning brushes are made of silicone. Since silicone bristles are softer and less abrasive than those made of nylon or plastic, you don’t risk scratching your bottles. On the downside, silicone brushes lack a bit of scrubbing power and don't remove tough residue as well as brushes with nylon bristles.
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How often should you change out your water bottle cleaning brush?
As a general rule of thumb, most water bottle brushes should be replaced every month or two. Always keep an eye on the condition of your brush. Once the bristles start to fray, bend, or discolor, it’s a good indicator that the brush needs replacing.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Sage McHugh, a home and lifestyle writer for The Spruce. For this roundup, McHugh considered dozens of water bottle cleaning brushes, carefully evaluating each product’s size, material, cleaning abilities, and dishwasher compatibility. To find the best water bottle cleaning brushes on the market, she consulted hundreds of customer reviews, as well as write-ups from third-party websites. Additional insight was provided by The Spruce's Cleaning Review Board member Katie Berry, internationally recognized home cleaning expert and author of 30 Days to a Clean and Organized House.