
Somewhere, there's an expert in human behavior who could explain why, despite owning countless water bottles, I remained perpetually dehydrated. I had my reasons for this, which I'll share shortly, but whatever the root cause, I was determined to change it. Luckily, the fixes were just a few clicks away. Now, after a month of my 'stay hydrated' experiment, I can proudly report success—and I want the same for you.
For When You Crave Ice-Cold Water
Personally, I believe all water tastes better when it's cold. Whether it's city water, bottled water, or any other kind—it just hits different. Sure, I could refrigerate my water bottles, but the type of person who remembers to do that has foresight, and I'm just a simple person who stares longingly at the tap, hoping the water will cool to below 45 degrees. Putting ice cubes in my water bottle was always too much of a hassle. So, I searched for ice cubes that would fit perfectly into my bottle and was ecstatic when I found these long ice cube trays, which produce just the right amount of ice bars for a whole day of hydration.
I've grown to love silicone ice cube trays, though they come with one challenge: their flexibility makes them difficult to store in the freezer unless they're laid flat. This tray eliminates that issue—it features a silicone mold encased in a rigid plastic tray. Plus, it includes a cover, which is great for keeping things out of your ice and preventing your ice from absorbing unwanted freezer odors. Simply pop a few bars into your water bottle, fill it up, and watch the water chill almost instantly.
Make Sure Your Water Bottle is Truly Clean
I wash my water bottles often, but my dishwasher tends to melt them, which leaves me with no choice but to hand wash. I never felt like I was really getting them clean; most brushes have a flat head, so I was only scraping the bottom of the bottle with the wire part of the brush. Plus, it was always hard to balance the bottle upside down to drain all the water and ensure it was completely dry.
So, I bought a brush set specifically designed for water bottles, featuring a bristled top that allows me to thoroughly scrub the bottom of the bottle, and a ring brush for cleaning the tricky part just beyond the neck.
Next, I picked up a drying rack that holds my bottles upside down to drain properly. The best part? I can pop the brush in the dishwasher to clean it, and when I'm not using it, the drying rack folds up into a compact size.
Keep your water easily accessible with a convenient carrying strap
I already struggle to stay hydrated at home, so I can’t even imagine how I manage to stay healthy when I’m out. My water bottle rarely leaves my car because it means I’d have to carry it, and I like having my hands free. That’s when I found a carrying strap for it, and now I have no excuse not to stay hydrated on the go.
As we experience the height of summer with record-breaking heat, I can't stress enough how crucial it is to make sure you're drinking enough water. Your body will send you reminders in the form of migraines and fatigue. Staying hydrated is essential, and these tools can make the process easier.
Take a look at these highly-rated water bottles:
This bottle is praised for keeping water cold for extended periods: Hydro Flask standard mouth bottle with flex cap
Known for its reliability: Nalgene Sustain Tritan BPA-free water bottle
This bottle folds—there's no excuse not to carry it everywhere: Vapur Solid flexible water bottle
A little on the expensive side and trendy, but it's an excellent bottle: Stanley Adventure Quencher travel tumbler
If you're after a sleek, professional water bottle for work, this one’s for you: S’well stainless steel water bottle
