September 2026

Copper Water Bottles: How to Use and Clean Them

Storing drinking water in a copper vessel overnight is a habit many Indian families have followed for generations, and it has become popular again with copper bottles you can carry to work. Using one well is easy once you know a few basics.

How to use a copper bottle

• Use it for plain drinking water only. Fill it at night and drink from it through the next day.
• Don't store juice, lemon water, milk, tea or anything acidic or sweet in it. These react with copper and can leave an unpleasant taste.
• Don't put hot water in a copper bottle, and don't keep it in the fridge or freezer.
• Like anything else, use it in moderation as part of your normal water intake. If you have a medical condition, check with your doctor about what suits you.

Why does copper change colour?

Copper reacts with air and water over time and darkens to a brownish tone. That is completely natural and not a sign of poor quality. Regular cleaning brings the shine back in a few minutes.

How to clean it

Rinse the bottle every day with plain water. Once a week, clean it properly:

• Lemon and salt: rub half a lemon dipped in salt over the outside, then rinse.
• Tamarind: soak a little tamarind in warm water, rub the paste over the surface, and rinse.
• Inside the bottle: add lemon juice, a spoon of salt and some water, close the lid, shake well for a minute, and rinse thoroughly.

Always rinse with clean water afterwards and dry completely before storing. Avoid steel wool and harsh detergents, which scratch the surface. For more on looking after all your metal pieces, see our care guide.

Choosing a copper bottle

Look for pure copper with a tight-fitting lid and no lacquer coating on the inside. Hand-hammered pieces are slightly thicker and look lovely on a dining table. Our copper bottle set and 1-litre bottle with glasses are popular for home use, and a copper water pot or copper jug works well if you want to keep water for the whole family.