Let’s say you’re packing for your trip and you think “Hey…I have an idea! I’m going to bring my own reusable water bottle and I’m going to just fill it with ice and fresh water from the cruise ship, hotel, resort etc. for when I’m out touring! I’ll save money AND the environment!”
Before you continue with this thought I’m going to assume that you checked whether the water at your travel destination is drinkable right? Well then that’s a GREAT Idea!
I do this all the time BUT, did you pack dish detergent or something to wash out that reusable water bottle after each use?

You wouldn’t drink from a dirty used glass at home right? So, why would you do it while you are travelling? In reality when you are out on the road that’s when you should try to take extra precautions to keep your immune system in tip-top shape.
Drinking from a dirty, used water bottle for a day, let alone for a week – even if it is your own bottle and your own germs is just plain GROSS!
- Take an empty used eye drop bottle (or buy a new one)
- Unscrew the cap and pull off the “drop part” very carefully without damaging it.
- Clean the bottle out really well and refill with dish detergent. You could add a drop or two of bleach also if you wish.
- Put the “drop part” back in.
- Make sure that you label the bottle really well so you don’t mistake it for …um…eyedrops (because that would be bad).
The size is small, compact and doesn’t take up much room in your toiletry bag.

Now, just a drop or two of the dish detergent into the empty reusable water bottle, add some water and shake up the bubbles (don’t forget to wash the cap and the mouth of the bottle) and you are sparkling clean and germ-free.
Cheers!
Read more:
– Hydro Flask Review. Home-Life and Travel-Life Hydration
– Seven Favourite Items I Pack in my Suitcase
– Pack This! Eating and Drinking on the Road
– How to Treat and Avoid the TOP 5 Vacation Illnesses
We always wash our bottles, but I love your idea for how to bring along dishwashing detergent!
Great idea! I’ve never really thought about all the germs on reusable water bottles. Ewww… you can bet I will from now on.
Thanks for your comment Tonya! It’s something few people think about…and it always freaks me out when I see people just rinsing out their bottle with water and reusing…