Every kitchen (and every cook!) deserves the best bottle brush – a zero-waste kitchen item that is both functional and practical.

This Natural Bottle Cleaner is Your Bottle’s/Tumbler’s Best Friend

Our untreated beechwood and horsehair bottle brush fits the bill nicely. All-natural, and package-free, it’s ideal for thoroughly washing out bottles of all shapes and sizes. The horsehair bristles gently clean and buff away caked-on food or liquid particulates. The brush is made of strong and highly durable untreated beechwood, ideal for everyday use and wear and tear. Thorough drying between uses is recommended to help extend the life of your bottle brush. 

A Plastic-Free Bottle Brush is a Worry-Free Bottle Brush - Zero Environmental Impact

Did you know that Canadians throw away three million tonnes of plastic waste every year, with only 9% of it being recycled? When using a plastic-free bottle cleaning brush, you play a valuable part in the package-free, zero environmental impact movement. Instead of simply throwing away your bottles when they become dirty, you can continually re-use them for years to come. Bottle brush for the win!   

4 Steps to Efficiently and Safely Clean Bottles

Any bottle can play host to bacteria, buildup, and even mould. That’s why it’s essential to know how to clean water bottles and other bottles properly. Here are four steps to efficiently and safely clean bottles.
Step #1: Fill the emptied bottle with hot water and a few drops of liquid dish detergent. Place the lid or cap back on and give the bottle a good shake, enough that bubbles start forming. 
Step #2: Pour out the suds and use a bottle cleaning brush to reach down to the bottom of your bottle and into any crevices. Wash the exterior and bottom of the base at the same time.
Step #3: Rinse the interior and exterior of your bottle in warm water until you don’t see any soap bubbles and the water runs clear. Let dry thoroughly.
Step #4: Finally, scrub the lid and any external components (reusable straws, bite valves, rubber seals) inside and out with warm, soapy water. A straw cleaner can be used to reach inside any valves and reusable straws. Rinse and dry thoroughly before reassembling. 
Stainless steel bottles can also benefit from being filled overnight with equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. For hard-to-clean grime and mildew, bottles can also be treated with a bottle cleaner mixture of bleach and baking soda (1 tsp of each) and water. With both bottle cleaner solutions, be sure to rinse your bottle thoroughly afterwards with clean water. 

What is a Metal Canning Funnel, and How Can I Use It?

If you love all things canning, a metal canning funnel is another must-have zero waste kitchen item you’ll want to have. Specially designed for filling jars for home canning, a metal funnel makes the canning process more efficient by keeping the jar rims cleaner, ensuring a tight seal and preventing waste. To use, place the metal funnel over the top of the jar to be filled. Next, scoop the canning ingredients into the top of the kitchen funnel. Repeat until your canning jar is tightly packed full, leaving a half-inch of headspace at the top. 
By introducing zero waste kitchen items into your home, whether a water bottle cleaning brush or canning funnel (or both!), you can help reduce the amount of landfill-bound trash.  For more ideas on ways to make your kitchen zero waste, give us a call during store hours at 902-266-6253 or fill out our online contact form by clicking HERE.