How do I wash my bottle? Firstly, rinse your copper bottle thoroughly with warm soapy water, inside and out, before you drink from it. To clean the inside, just squeeze half a lemon into the bottle and add 1 tablespoon of salt and 1/2 a cup of water; close the lid and shake the mixture thoroughly inside the bottle for a while before pouring the mixture out and rinsing thoroughly with water. If you prefer, you can use a mild detergent but make sure you rinse it very thoroughly. Dry the outside completely with a soft cloth and it’s ready to fill with drinking water again or allow the bottle to drain upside down until it’s completely dry before storing in a dry place.
Do they tarnish? Your copper bottle may stain and darken over a period of time due to a natural process called oxidation but don’t worry, it’s easy to clean if you want to make it shiny again. Using lemon and salt is the most traditional cleaning method but you can also use vinegar and salt or baking soda, depending on what you have to hand. There are also metal polishes available suitable for copper that work very well but aren’t so good for the planet. In a bowl, mix the dry and wet ingredients together (depending on what you are using). Rub the mixture over the bottle (using your fingers or a soft cloth) until the bottle is completely covered, leave to stand for a minute before rinsing thoroughly with clean water and drying completely with a soft cloth.
My lid is sticking a bit... That's quite normal, it is good practise to occasionally apply a small dab of edible oil (such as coconut or olive) to your finger and rub around the threads of the lid so it should always close smoothly. Take care not to ‘cross the threads’ when closing the lid. If you do cross the threads and can't get the bottle open, run the lid and neck of the bottle under the hot tap and the bash it gently where it is stuck and it should come loose. Sometimes the lid gets caught on the rubber seal; then you can roll the rubber down the neck of the bottle and the lid should open (remember to put the rubber seal back in place).
Can I use it for other liquids? We don't recommend it, no. The idea of this bottle is that it sterilises water as well as reducing plastic waste. Copper reacts with acidic foods and also will take on the taste of certain substances such as coffee and milk so will taint the taste of your water afterwards.
My bottle leaks slightly When your bottle is new, it may take a bit of trial and error to get the rubber seal to 'settle' and so your bottle may leak slightly. To prevent this, first of all make sure you oil your bottle's threads (with a dab of edible oil) so it opens and closes smoothly. Fill the bottle about a quarter full with water and close the lid tightly but not over-tight. Gently turn the bottle upside down and check for leaks. If it does leak, tighten the lid a bit further and check again until it doesn't leak. Once you have used the bottle it should be simple to close and be totally leak-proof when the lid is sufficiently tight. Oil your bottle if it starts to squeak to prevent the lid sticking or its threads crossing.