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We climb into the bottle! Understanding how the best water bottles work - News & Articles

The trend towards thrift and self-care has taken its toll: the popularity of reusable water bottles is now at its peak. In this article, we will show you how to choose the right bottle, how to properly care for it, and how to recycle if it suddenly breaks.

First, let's look at the materiel: what they are and how they differ from each other. nine0003

Bottles are made of plastic, metal and glass, but there are also collapsible bottles made of silicone or soft plastic. Speaking briefly about the advantages, the cheapest and lightest are plastic, the most comfortable to drink are glass, the most durable are metal. And now some details.

Plastic bottles

At first glance, they do not differ much from each other. However, the type of plastic used affects how the container behaves during prolonged use, whether it can be washed in a dishwasher, whether it is suitable for hot water and other drinks. nine0003

There are bottles on the market made of different types of plastic: polyethylene (recycling code - 2), polypropylene (5), acrylonitrile styrene (7), tritan (7).

The main difference for the user is that some bottles are suitable for hot liquids, while others will deform or release harmful substances from high temperature.

The safest and most resistant plastic is considered to be 5 - polypropylene - it is allowed for the production of children's tableware. This plastic is used to make, for example, lunch boxes that can be heated in the microwave. Both cold and hot drinks can be poured into polypropylene bottles (however, remember that a container without double walls will be uncomfortable or impossible to hold in your hands if it is filled with very hot liquid). nine0003

Manufacturers, however, often advise to limit yourself to warm water - up to 40 ° C. The point, obviously, is the resistance of other materials that are used in the case or cover.

Another important difference between plastics is their recyclability. The popularity of plastic bottles marked 7 (other) upsets environmentalists: this material is not recycled in Russia, since mixed raw materials are used for its production. But the circumstance that saves the reputation of such bottles is a long lifespan, which means a reduction in the number of disposable containers. nine0003

Tritan bottles are popular among athletes, a marketing name for a food-grade plastic specially designed for drinking utensils. Tritan is lightweight, durable, impact and scratch resistant. Bright, glossy sports and cycling tritan bottles are in demand.

How to recycle a drinking bottle

All plastic bottles on gifts.ru are marked with a recycling code. In Russia, recycling of plastics under the numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5 has been established - most likely, in large cities you will not have any difficulties in finding a collection point for such bottles. Keep in mind that at a minimum, you will need to remove the silicone seals and make sure the lid and body are labeled separately. Check the detailed rules at the recycling points. nine0003

Safety of plastic bottles

All drinking bottles are tested and certified during production and import. Experts check the quality of the paint coating, the resistance of materials to acids and soap solutions, and if there is a print, they also check it. The purpose of testing is to make sure that the product will be safe and retain its appearance when used.

The fears are not unfounded: in an attempt to save money, factories may add impurities to plastic or use the wrong grade of steel, for example. Another important factor is the content of bisphenol A, a carcinogen that can be found in non-food plastics. nine0003

Safety is affected not only by how a bottle is made, but also by how it is used. For example, water containers are not recommended to be left in the sun. When the body heats up, on the one hand, bacteria begin to multiply in it, and on the other hand, it itself begins to release various chemical compounds into the water, the toxicity or harmlessness of which depends on the material used.

Moreover, this is true not only for reusable bottles. Plastic labeled 1 PET is unsuitable for hot water (almost all mineral water, soft drinks, juices are sold in it). But bottled drinks can stand in the sun for many hours - for example, during transportation. That is why some doctors advise to refuse water in a disposable container. nine0003

This is the time to mention one of the main advantages of reusable water bottles - the confidence in the quality of the water you drink, because you can fill a reusable bottle with fresh filtered water at any time.

Metal bottles

Made of aluminum or steel. Metal can be used with hot drinks, this material is approved for use in children's dishes. It is important that recycling is possible.

Food-grade stainless steel is the most reliable material that allows you to make the life of the bottle unlimited (the plastic cork or silicone seals will age, and the body itself will not change over time). However, such containers are not recommended to be washed in a dishwasher, because the colorful coating may peel off. nine0003

The advantages of aluminum include lightness. Traditional tourist bottles are made from this metal. Due to the plasticity of aluminum, the flasks can get dented during the campaign, which, however, in most cases will not affect the tightness in any way.

Among the metal bottles there are two-layer - thermal bottles, including vacuum ones. They are good for chilled drinks. It should be noted that for reasons of tightness, such bottles are closed with stoppers with seals, that is, complex lids with drinkers are not used. nine0003

Glass bottles

The rarest category. The reason is fragility. If a metal bottle only wrinkles from impact, and a plastic one cracks, then a glass bottle will shatter into fragments. Therefore, manufacturers add silicone "bumpers". There are even collapsible bottles with double walls - the inner glass flask is closed with a plastic body and shock-absorbing gaskets.

But these difficulties justify the pleasure of using glass bottles. They can be filled with both boiling water and ice water. In addition, glass absolutely does not absorb odors, unlike metal and plastic flasks. nine0003

What are the lids

Water bottles are divided into those that can be drunk without unscrewing the cap (models with drinkers) and those that cannot. Let's start with the second.

A popular form is a narrow-necked metal travel flask with screw cap and carabiner. Today, this form is more of a tribute to tradition, but it also has several advantages - a strong body and reliable closing.

Plastic bottles also come with a screw-top cap - these are the simplest models. They are inexpensive, leak less often, and also allow you to print a print on the lid. nine0003

There is a wide variety of sippy bottles. There are classic models for cyclists - a bowl with a characteristic protrusion extends with teeth, so even letting go of the steering wheel is not necessary. The next level is the drinking bowl, which is recessed into the lid and pulled out thanks to the lever. There are also drinkers that are covered with a hinged lid on top, which protects from dust.

The next level of comfort is a special system with a button that opens the curtain above the drinking valve and pulls it out. You can also close the bottle with one hand. In models where the drinking bowl changes its position, a tube is structurally provided. nine0003

What is the best cap

If absolute tightness is important to you, choose bottles with screw caps, always with a silicone seal. If you drink often and little by little, choose from models with sippy cups. Then it all depends on whether you can use both hands to open the bottle, whether it is important for you to protect the cup from dust (for example, while riding a bicycle), and in the end on your individual anatomy.

Please note that the more parts in the design, the greater the likelihood of breakage, and models with straws are always more difficult to maintain. nine0003

What else distinguishes bottles

All sorts of straps and carrying loops. Silicone cuffs and anti-slip pads (which is especially important for thermal bottles that are kept in gloves in winter). Compartments for ice, herbs and fruits. Nozzles for squeezing juice. Whisks for churning sports mixtures. There are baby bottles (small volume, with a design that is convenient to hold and drink).

How much is enough

The capacity of the water bottle depends on the individual fluid requirements and usage situation. A popular volume is 600-700 ml. A schoolboy or student can take such a container with him to classes; an athlete usually has enough of this volume of water for an hour of training.

Bottles of about half a liter are convenient to have with you in your bag or backpack every day, moving around the city and walking before or after work. It is important that they weigh a little, which means they will not be a burden.

Very large bottles of more than a liter are suitable, for example, for long car trips, when such a burden does not have to be carried on one's own shoulders. If you take your beloved dog on a trip, then a lot of water will also come in handy.

A few words about personal fluid intake

Contrary to the stereotype of 2-3 mandatory liters of water per day, doctors who adhere to the principles of evidence-based medicine recommend relying on personal needs. Drinking too much is harmful, but you can’t endure the feeling of thirst for too long. The ideal situation would be one where you can take a sip of fresh clean water at any time. And having your own filled bottle on hand will just help with this. nine0003

If you seriously suspect that you are not drinking enough, we recommend that you have a medical examination. If you find that your thirst is blunted, use a smart reminder bottle every two hours.

Another popular tip: add fruits and herbs to make the water tastier and even more visually appealing. To increase the amount of fluid you drink, you can also use a large bottle - as if setting yourself a task for the day. nine0003

And remember that water with a low content of minerals (for example, distilled) helps to remove these same minerals from the body, so you should not get carried away with it, in the absence of medical prescriptions. Athletes who lose a lot of salt through sweat can pour non-carbonated isotonic drinks into reusable bottles.

How to clean refillable bottles

Wash the bottle before first use. It is also recommended to dry the lids with drinking cups, as water trapped between the valves can cause leakage. nine0003

Some models are dishwasher safe. For example, plastic flasks marked 5 and metal unpainted bottles (the manufacturer usually indicates the possibility of using a dishwasher in the instructions). Lids with silicone seals are not recommended to be washed in the dishwasher - in order to avoid deformation. But often they are disassembled to make it easier to wash by hand.

The drinking bottle should be washed regularly with soap and water to prevent the growth of bacteria. Manufacturers also recommend getting special small brushes or even mouthwash without a strong aroma. nine0003

If you regularly use a refillable bottle, we recommend washing it once a day instead of adding fresh water to the "old" water. Pay special attention to the bottom (there is a possibility of sediment) and to the place of contact with the lips.

Is it possible to pour non-water

Yes. But remember that carbonated and sour-milk drinks cause excess pressure under the cap, which can cause leakage, and liquid from bottles with straws will completely pour out in a fountain.

In addition, sour and sweet drinks are more aggressive to the material of the bottles and promote the growth of bacteria.

Metal and plastic flasks also trap odors, so when you pour water after drinking, it will be flavored.

How many bottles do you need

Having several bottles is just handy, because you can accidentally forget them in your gym bag or at the office.

Those who definitely need a reusable water bottle are athletes, tourists, schoolchildren and students. You need constant access to drinking water if you are taking medication or caring for young children. If you are forced to be on the road for a long time or away from sources of moisture. nine0003

Marketing value in brief

Let's not miss the opportunity to look at drinking and sports bottles from a marketing point of view, because Project 111 partners offer their customers this product category as a communication tool.

Interest in water bottles has been noticeable for the past five years, this can be seen both in the dynamics of user requests in search engines and in our wholesale sales, which have grown 3.5 times during this time.

Room

The reusable water bottle is synonymous with being active. If you are marketing support for a brand with a young audience, consider running bottles with a modern print for a merch shop. Young parents will also appreciate such a gift, as, indeed, summer residents, athletes, tourists. Often, water bottles can be seen on the desktops of doctors, and indeed everyone whose work does not involve breaks.

But a drinking bottle is synonymous with environmental care. If the audience adheres to the principles of responsible consumption, they will gladly “save” disposable cups. nine0003

By the way, for office managers the purchase of individual bottles for the entire workforce is savings without any quotes. Have you ever considered how many cups are consumed on a hot day in an average office with a cooler? Exactly.

Branding

A water bottle is not only a useful thing, but also a lifestyle accessory. Each of us knows how important it is that the things we use most often fit us perfectly in terms of shape, ergonomics, and design. nine0003

Luckily, all bottles can be personalized with an inscription, and many of them can even be printed with a circular print - for this, the body must be perfectly cylindrical. Engraving on metal bottles is the most durable way to get a promotional message, but combined with full color UV printing or sublimation, it will be the most effective.

Project 111 offers dozens of reusable bottles. These are simple plastic containers, and metal flasks for tourists, and fitness bottles with patented designs, and children's water bottles. You can buy them at retail on marketplaces. Wholesale customers can place a basket on gifts.ru, which we will send to our dealers for further redemption. nine0005

CHILDREN'S BOTTLES AND NIPPLES

If you are feeding your baby breast milk, formula, or both, you will need to buy bottles and teats. There are many options and a large selection, so it's hard to know what to buy. We will get to know the different options and ways to care for bottles and nipples.

Choice of bottle and teat

The type of teat and bottle you choose will largely depend on what type your baby likes. Some babies prefer a certain nipple shape, or they may have less gas with certain bottles. Purchase several different types of bottles and nipples. So you can try them out and see what works best for you and your child. nine0003

Nipples

themselves nipples can be made from latex or silicone.

• Latex nipples are softer and more elastic. But some children are sensitive to latex, and it doesn't hold its shape as long as silicone.
• Silicone nipples last longer and keep their shape better.

Teats come in different shapes.

• They can be round, symmetrical or orthodontic. Try different shapes to see which one your child prefers. nine0199

Nipples There are different flow rates.

• you you can purchase nipples that have slow, medium or fast consumption. These nipples are often numbered, 1 being slowest, 2 being medium, and 3 - fast flow.
• Infants usually start with a smaller opening and slower flow. You will increase the size as your child gets better and drinks more.
• Your the baby should be able to get enough milk without the need sucking on the pacifier too hard. nine0199
• If If your child is choking or spitting up, the current may be too fast.

Child bottles

Baby bottles come in different materials.

• plastic bottles are lightweight and will not break when fall. If you choose plastic, it's best to buy new ones bottles. Bottles for reuse or for distribution can contain bisphenol-A (BPA).
• Glass bottles are BPA free and are recyclable, but may break when fall. Some manufacturers sell a protective cover so as not to break bottles. nine0199
• Stainless steel bottles are strong and broken, but may cost more.

You also You can choose from several different bottle shapes and sizes:

• Standard bottles are straight or slightly rounded sides. They are easy to clean and fill, and you can easily identify how much milk is in the bottle.
• Angle-neck bottles lighter Keep. Milk accumulates at the end of the bottle. It helps prevent your baby from being sucked in. These bottles can be harder to fill and you need to hold them at an angle or use a funnel. nine0199
• Wide bottles have a wide opening and short and squat forms. They say they look more like mother's breasts, so they might be a good option for kids
• prevent the formation of air bubbles. It is indicated that they help prevent colic and gas, but this has not been proven.