I'm Obsessed With Larq's Self-Cleaning Water Bottle
Because who actually washes their water bottle anyway?
Larq
Hydration is important and I'm always looking for way to up my water intake. My biggest barrier to fulfilling my water goal? Having to actually clean my grimy water bottle after I've toted it from my kitchen to the office and gym and back again. Full disclosure: My usual "cleaning method" is a quick rinse and air dry right before I head to bed. I know, gross.
That's why when I learned about the Larq self-cleaning water bottle, I had to try one. It just sounded too good to be true. No more struggling with a soapy sponge to get my bottle semi-clean for the week ahead? How would that even work anyway?
How Does the Larq Self-Cleaning System Work?
Larq claims that a 280nm UV-C light is the answer. This particular kind of UV ray is germicidal, which means it deactivates the DNA in bacteria, viruses and pathogens, which prevents them from multiplying and causing diseases. According to a study commissioned by Larq, the UV ray used in the bottle kills 99.9% of harmful, odor-causing germs, including E.coli, at the touch of a button on the chargable cap. And, if you step away from your bottle for two hours or more, Larq says the bottle does an auto self-clean to purify the insulated walls and water left inside.
This cleaning system can be found in two of Larq's three water bottle offerings: the Larq Bottle PurVis and the Larq Bottle Movement PurVis. The Movement style is designed to be filled and immediately consumed and is not designed to keep your beverage hot or cold. The original Larq Bottle PurvVis is insluated and can keep your beverage hot or cold for hours.
For anyone who's concerned about clean water, but can wash their own water bottle, the Larq Bottle Filtered is an affordable option that comes with a filter attached to the cap designed to filter lead, heavy metals and other particals from your drinking water for up to about 2 months per filter.
Do I Need To Wash the Larq Bottle Ever?
As for my whole no soap-and-water wish? Well, there is a caveat. While Larq claims the bottle's technology will disinfect the inside of the bottle, you might want to give the cap, mouth and exterior of the bottle a scrub every now and then. According to the Larq user manual, the UV-C light does not reach the mouth of the drinking container and the "bottle and cap should be cleaned properly prior to use." And you can clean the exterior of the bottle because the UV-C ray doesn't reach the outside of the bottle either. According to a spokesperson for the brand, the best cleaning method is a hand wash with warm water and mild soap for the cap, mouth and exterior of the bottle.
Bottom Line: Worth it.
After using the Larq bottle for a few years, it seems like a keeper. I've left it half-full over a weeklong break and I have yet to detect that moldy odor my other bottles get after a few days. The water also seems to taste more pure after a cleaning cycle, but there's a total possibility this is a placebo effect. And while the odor-free sips alone might make a compelling argument for the $95 price tag and the sleek, sturdy appearance doesn't hurt either. Now all I have to do is add a few more trips to the water cooler.
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