A reusable water bottle is one of those objects that you may tend to overlook.
It's something you fill up before you leave home, put in your bag, bring it to the office, take it to the gym, keep it in the car and repeat the cycle all over again the next day.
And one fine day, you will stop and ask yourself: How long should this bottle last, really?
The answer varies. The life span of any reusable water bottle does not have any specific time limit. It entirely depends upon the type of material it is made of, its usage frequency, and whether it is able to serve its purpose or not.
But if you have purchased a good quality reusable water bottle like a reusable stainless steel water bottle, it is made for you to last you several years.
Therefore, instead of disposing of your reusable water bottle just because it looks somewhat old, let us try to know what exactly determines its longevity.
The Perfect Everyday Reusable Water Bottle Must be Made for Everyday Life
Consider all the different places where the bottle goes during the day. It is carried from one room to another. The bottle rests on the desk, thrown in the gym bag, taken everywhere from cars to back packs and suitcases. Maybe even used during walks in nature, a visit to the beach, a plane ride, or weekend getaways.
These are not just a lot of things but a lot of wear-and-tear in everyday life.
The reusable water bottle designed for lasting a long time must have more than just good capacity to store the water in it. It should be useful for daily use and durable enough to last through it all.
That is the reason the material counts.
While plastic is lightweight and convenient, stainless steel is chosen because of its durability and long lasting properties. A good quality stainless steel bottle will serve you for many years ahead not only for a few months.
LOCH water bottles are made of 18/8 stainless steel that allows creating strong and user-friendly products for every-day use.
How Many Years Should Your Reusable Water Bottle Last?
Since there is no way to answer this question.
Certainly, there will be those who will claim that your bottle should last you at least five, ten, or even more years. However, it is totally unreasonable since, by giving life expectancy to your bottle, you will make no sense of it.
Two persons can purchase the same product, but the experience of using the bottle will be absolutely different.
While one person will carefully carry her water bottle to work every day, the other person will take it hiking, drop it and put it into her backpack.
Same bottle, but under different conditions.
Consequently, in order to know how long you can use your water bottle, you have to consider the state of the latter.
Is the bottle in good condition?
Can you open and close the lid?
Does the bottle leak?
Does it maintain the temperature of your drink?
Can you clean the bottle?
If the answer to all these questions is positive, your bottle still has many miles to go.
Some Scratches Don’t Make Something Done For
Here’s when sustainability gets it wrong.
We expect our products to always look like a brand-new one.
However, not only is durability an important part of sustainability but everyday items aren’t supposed to stay pristine forever. We are expected to use them.
That’s why your bottle may have gotten a scratch from your keys. Its finish could be worn out by its transport. Your bottle may have accidentally bumped into your desk or fallen once.
However, this does not mean that your product needs replacing.
On the contrary, some scratches may be a sign that your item was actually serving its purpose.
A bottle that has accompanied you for many years is unlikely to look just like it did on the day you bought it which is completely fine.
And What About Dents?
Stainless steel water bottles are extremely durable but they are not immortal.
In case you damage the water bottle by a regular accident, it doesn’t necessarily imply that the bottle cannot be used any longer. In case the lid fits properly and there are no leaks, it is not a serious issue.
But, in case of a powerful hit, it would be wise to discard such a bottle.
If your bottle is damaged considerably, in case the opening is deformed or the lid fits improperly, you need to buy a new one.
It is vital to understand the difference between cosmetic issues and actual damages.
Not every dent implies replacement.
The Lid Could Be the First to Show Signs of Wear and Tear
There may be plenty of life left in your bottle even if its lid wears off.
This happens because lids usually contain small parts that are always moving around. They could include such elements as seals, gaskets, threads, buttons, etc.
And these parts may become worn out.
So if your bottle starts leaking, don't rush to throw it away. Instead, first take a look at the lid.
In case there are replacement parts available from the manufacturer, you will be able to easily prolong the life of the rest of the bottle just by replacing a worn-out component.
Here is one of the main rules for long-term use:
Don't replace the whole thing when only one part is worn out.
How To Take Care Of Your Bottle
Every sturdy bottle requires at least some amount of care.
After all, the bottle keeps whatever you fill it with. Maintenance therefore becomes an integral part of it.
Make sure you clean your bottle rather than just rinse it and store it in your backpack.
Pay close attention to those spots that you tend to overlook, especially those surrounding the lid, the mouth, and the threads. These spots collect everything in time.
And when you’re done cleaning, make sure you dry your bottle before closing it and storing it.
No special actions are required.
Just be diligent.
In no time, you will see what a difference it makes.
The Life of Your Reusable Water Bottle Is Also Defined by How You Use It
You simply can't deny the fact that something that is being used more gets worn out more often.
And there's nothing wrong about it either.
After all, this is why a reusable water bottle exists to be used.
Go to the gym with it. Go to work with it. Travel with it. Do outdoor activities with it.
It's just important to remember how you take it around.
Placing your bottle inside your backpack along with other things every day is likely to result in more wear compared to having a separate compartment for your reusable bottle.
Not cleaning it for a long time won't help as well.
Just treat it the way you would want it to last longer.
What Is Meant by End of Life?
The expression end of life might lead you to believe that your container will somehow cease being usable at once.
On the contrary, it is generally a more drawn-out process.
It all begins with a small crack.
After that, the finish becomes more worn down.
Maybe the cap starts to feel weird.
Finally, there is something that just doesn't work anymore.
The main thing is that aesthetics do not equal functionality.
The bottle may have become worn but still works perfectly well.
However, the opposite scenario may also be true: the bottle looks like new but has some problems.
When making a choice about replacing yours, think about its performance instead of appearance.
When Should You Get Rid of Your Bottle?
A time will come when the only thing left to do is to replace your bottle.
If there comes a time when your bottle cannot be fixed anymore, it has cracks, it leaks, or it simply cannot be cleaned anymore, then it’s time to bid farewell to it.
Or maybe if your insulated bottle no longer provides insulation.
But remember, there are a couple of factors that should not hinder you.
All you need to know is whether or not:
Do I use my bottle safely?
Does it still function well?
Can I clean it?
And if the answer to those questions is yes, then just keep using it.
Why Longevity Is Important
There is always the question of materials used to manufacture the products within the sustainability debate.
There is, however, one more question worth considering:
How long are you going to use the product?
In order for the reusable bottle to become your go-to product it should be durable enough for you to choose it again and again.
Buying a new bottle just because you feel you want a change due to boredom is quite another thing than choosing the bottle you truly like and use it for years.
That is why the issues of longevity and design come into play.
If you choose the bottle which matches your needs, you won’t have to replace it.
It is your bottle.
The one you keep next to your computer.
The one you take with you while training.
The one you travel with.
The one you have for so many years that you can recognize it with your eyes shut.
How to Extend Your Bottle's Life
To extend your bottle's lifespan, here is what you should do:
Keep it clean.
Do not leave it dirty for days.
Take care of the lid.
The lid is one of the most commonly touched items on your bottle.
Take proper care of it.
It needs its own space and does not have to be squished by everything else in your bag.
Don't be too worried about scratches.
It is natural.
Be worried about leaks and cracks.
Those are more important than cosmetic damage.
Replace only damaged components.
A replacement lid or seal can solve your problem.
The Best Reusable Bottle is the One You Always Reuse
And now, for how long do reusable bottles last?
The answer: for as long as it lasts safely, effectively, and efficiently.
It doesn’t matter if you have an absolutely spotless bottle. It is the frequency with which the bottle is refilled, transported, washed and used which makes the reusable bottle valuable and priceless.
At LOCH, we value the belief that common items need to be durable.
The LOCH reusable bottles are made to withstand your day-to-day life – wherever you go and whatever you do throughout your day and beyond.
Because the most environmentally friendly reusable bottle is not the one collecting dust in your cupboard.
It’s the bottle that you will keep on using many years from now.
Refill it. Transport it. Use it. And make it last.
This is what reusable should mean.
