How Long Can You Use a Glass Water Bottle?

One of the main reasons for investing in a glass water bottle is that it should last a long time. But what exactly is a long time and are we misled by the bottle manufacturers who suggest we should be changing our water bottles every couple of years, what is the truth?

If you care for your glass water bottle correctly it should last a lifetime. Other than serious damage when you’d need to replace your bottle, there are a few other reasons why you might want to swap your bottle however they should not be considered as necessary.

Before I purchased my own glass water bottle I did some research into why people might replace their glass water bottles. I found some interesting information and dispelled some of the myths that are out there, read on to discover what I found.

Before you read on, I thought I’d mention that I’ve also written a couple more articles on glass water bottles which you might want to read after this:

• How to Clean Glass Water Bottles (a step by step guide)
• Pros and Cons of Glass Water Bottles, we review the facts

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Why Would You Need to Replace Your Glass Water Bottle?

When I started my research I thought about all the reasons you might want to replace your water bottle, here are my thoughts.

1) Serious Damage

In recent years glass water bottles have become much tougher than they used to be.

In addition to the toughened glass, many water bottles now have sleeves that both add to the design and importantly protect the bottle from serious damage.

If you are unlucky enough to break your water bottle then clearly it will need to be replaced.

Glass is 100% endlessly recyclable so make sure you process all the parts that can be recycled.

In some cases, such as the Black+Blum Glass Water Bottle this can be the entire bottle, although it would need to be separated into its various materials.

Depending on the age, other glass bottles might include materials like hard plastics so you just need to be careful how you dispose of the item.

2) Scratches and Blemishes

With bottles being made from modern glass materials, surface damage is actually quite rare.

I mentioned before about the sleeves, well these can also help to reduce blemishes.

In most cases though, it’s not the glass that actually gets damaged. It’s usually the other elements of the bottle such as the lid, handle, or sleeve.

After several years your glass bottle can start to look a little tired.

Personally, I like the weathered look but if you do end up replacing your glass water bottle make sure it’s recycled, or better still, find another use for it.

The size of the spout may determine what your old water bottle can be reused for but I’ve seen them used as planters, lamps, and simply for decoration.

3) Build Up of Dirt and Bacteria

Ok, so this one is the myth I mentioned at the start of this article.

It seems as though there are some business publishing that glass water bottles need to be replaced every 2-3 years as “bacteria may build up in the bottle and cause illness”

I’ll leave you to work out whether you think this is true for yourselves but needless to say this advice seems to be coming from bottle manufacturers themselves.

Sure, I’m not saying that it’s impossible for bacteria to grow inside your drinking bottle but glass is one of the easiest materials to clean.

If you like to discover some eco-friendly tips about keeping your glass water bottle clean and looking as good as new check out my other article “How to Clean Glass Water Bottles“

4) Trends and Fashion

Fashion changes like the wind and in our throw-away society it’s sad to see so many of our possessions making their way to landfill.

When I bought my water bottle I expected it to last a lifetime but I know that sometimes our tastes change so if you do decide to part ways then please recycle or reuse.

Does the Quality of Your Glass Water Bottle Matter?

Quality does matter when it comes to how long you can expect to use a glass water bottle. Glass type, thickness and the way it has been manufactured are all factors in the quality of a water bottle therefore it is always wise to spend that little bit more to get a better produce.

Buying a glass water bottle that is made from quality material will help you avoid serious damage when it’s dropped for example. This avoids the most likely reason you’d need to change your bottle.

Storing Your Glass Water Bottle

As you would expect storing your glass water bottle in a safe environment where it is unlikely to get damaged is important. Avoid leaving it anywhere where it might get damaged.

If you’re not going to be using the bottle for a while then make sure you give it a thorough clean, both before and after storage.

Before storing the bottle make sure that it’s completely dry both inside and out to ensure bacteria growth will not be an issue and do not store with the lid tight on in order to let it breathe.

Common FAQs

Can bacteria grow in glass water bottles?

Whilst glass is one of the least porous materials used for water bottles it is still possible for bacteria to grow especially if left. It is however more likely that bacteria will grow on the lid or handle of the bottle therefore it is always advisable to thoroughly clean your bottle before use.

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Here at greenerlyfe we've tested hundreds of products and pride ourselves on only sharing the best with you. No email or password needed - just visit the page.

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