Care & Use Recommendations

Please see below for recommendations how to best clean and care for our products. This will help extend the life of your purchased item. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

- stainless steel water bottles
- stainless steel food containers
- reusable lunch bags
- folding shopping totes
- zero waste lunch kits

 

Stainless Steel Water Bottles

• Do not freeze
• Do not microwave
• Not recommended for hot foods (may cause harm to you)
• Not recommended for soft drinks or carbonated liquids
• Clean regularly (see below for more information)

Cleaning: Fill Your Own water bottles are made of 18/8 stainless steel which is corrosion and rust resistant. We suggest regular or daily cleaning by hand washing – use warm water and mild soap, then allow to air dry completely. Air dry helps prevent bacteria build-up which is the main cause of rusting and mold. ONLY our kids water bottles, 350ml and 500ml, are dishwasher safe (on the top rack). However, anything placed into the dishwasher will fade and/or chip over time. This is true with the paint and designs on ALL our water bottles. It’s like putting your find china into the dishwasher – it won’t be long until the paint fades.

DO NOT put the 750ml or 1000ml water bottles into the dishwasher as they are too tall and food particles will get stuck on the inside – the dishwasher is not able to clean long narrow tubes like these bottles. And again, the harsh heat of dishwasher will make the paint/artwork peel and chip.

Acidic Drinks: When using our stainless steel water bottles for juice, we suggest rinsing immediately after use to prevent pitting caused by acid in the juice. Pitting is the formation of tiny holes in your stainless steel – over time, they will get bigger and damage structural integrity.

Long term Storage: Thoroughly clean and AIR DRY completely before storing your stainless steel water bottles when on holidays or preparing for a move.

Polypropylene Caps: All our stainless steel water bottles have polypropylene (PP5), BPA and phthalates free, caps. These caps can be washed in the dishwasher on the top rack however we recommend hand washing for better long term use. Our cap selections include the pop-top straw cap, sport spout, twist top with carabineer hook and the drinking spout.

Cleaning of Straw Caps: All parts of the pop-top straw caps can be removed and cleaned. The straw tube can be removed from the bottom of the cap with a pull – we suggest rinsing the tube thoroughly under the hot water tap and AIR DRY. Daily rinsing will keep the tube clean and free of bacteria.  The white bits on top of the cap can also be removed and cleaned. Twist the round white piece below the straw counter-clock wise and the cap will loosen into three pieces: the straw tip, the fitting (round piece) and the spring). Wash all parts with soap and warm water. Leave on the counter to AIR DRY. Please note that the parts of the straw caps are small and may be a choking hazard for children under 3 years – only use with adult supervision.

Stainless Steel Food Containers

• Do not freeze
• Do not microwave
• Not recommended for hot foods (may cause harm to you)
• Clean regularly (see below for more information)

Food Storage: For dry good like nuts, cereal and pasta, our stainless steel food containers are great and can be used long term. When using our containers for cooked foods in lunches and snacks, wash daily after each use to prevent mold which will lead to rust. For leftovers, keep in the refrigerator for a maximum of three days – prolonged storage in the fridge will cause food to go bad, mold to form and rusting.

Cleaning: Our stainless steel food containers are also made from 18/8 stainless steel, and we strongly recommend hand washing – use warm water and mild soap, then allow to air dry completely. Air dry helps prevent bacteria build-up which is the main cause of rusting and mold. The containers can be placed into the dishwasher (top rack), however the paint may fade and/or chip. We strongly suggest hand washing to make your containers last.

DO NOT put the container LIDS into the dishwasher as it will cause the paint to peel immediately – the paint in the groves on top of the lid will come off in the dishwasher (even on the top rack).

Long term Storage: Thoroughly clean and AIR DRY completely before storing your stainless steel food containers when on holidays or preparing for a move.

 

Reusable Lunch Bags

• Do not iron
• Do not bleach
• Wash regularly (see below for information)

Damp & Wet: Our reusable lunch bags are made from 100% recycled PET (plastic water bottles) and are not coated on the inside or outside. They can be used to hold damp clothes/towel, however, it will become wet and leak if liquids are spilled in it.

Cleaning: Hand or machine wash in cold or warm water, then HANG DRY. Do not use bleach and do not iron.

 

Compact Folding Shopping Totes

• Do not iron
• Do not bleach
• Wash regularly (see below for information)

Damp & Wet: Our compact folding shopping totes are made from 100% polyester (5 floral designs). The Four Elements tote is made from 100% recycled PET (plastic water bottles). None of our compact folding totes are coated on the inside or outside. They can be used to hold damp clothes/towel, however, it will become wet and leak if liquids are spilled in it.

Cleaning: Hand or machine wash in cold or warm water, then HANG DRY. Do not use bleach and do not iron. Because our totes dries so quickly, they are an ideal travel accessory especially when a washer & dryer are not available.

 

ZERO-Waste Lunch Kits

Our zero waste (litterless) lunch kits include:

• 350ml or 500ml stainless steel water bottle
• 8/16oz or 16/24oz set of two stainless steel food containers
• one reusable rPET lunch bag

Refer to the above for cleaning and care recommendations for all the products in our zero waste lunch kits.