Comments on: SteriPEN: Clean Water in Asia, and Not From a Bottle!

By: Nora

Nora — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 17:29:55 +0000

Hi Erhard,
You can clean your water bottle with dishsoap and tap water; just make sure that the bottle is completely dry before you use it again (unless you have a SteriPEN, in which case you can use that to ensure any remaining tap water in the bottle is sterilized).

Sometimes my water bottle starts smelling a bit funky or even getting some algae-like growth that I can’t scrub away due to the small bottle opening. In these cases, I’ll use a vinegar and water mixture and shake vigorously, then let it sit for a few hours, shake and let sit again, and so on for 24 hours until the bottle looks (and smells) clean again. Rinse thoroughly a few times and you’re good to go.

Alternately/additionally, you can look at getting water bottle/camelback cleaning tablets (available at Amazon and outdoor retailers). I’ve never used them, but I’m sure they work well.

By: Erhard E Lederer

Erhard E Lederer — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 15:40:52 +0000

I’ve got a question, how did you clean your water bottlecwhile in Thailand. I would like to bring a water bottle, but not sure how the best way to lean it while traveling.

By: Nora Dunn

Nora Dunn — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 13:41:05 +0000

In reply to Brandon.

Hey Brandon,
Sounds like the SteriPEN will be perfect for you! Have at er….and happy travels!

By: Brandon

Brandon — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 10:18:40 +0000

This is amazing. I was actually just thinking about the use of bottled water. It is crazy how much waste is generated by bottled water throughout travel. When I went to Peru I did my best to boil water when I could and use the purified water where I could find it. I kept my Kleen Kanteen with me and bought only the big bottles and only when I had to. Still it was hard. The culture is so pervasive. I used a ceramic purifier in a few of the hostals, but then got myself sick doing that in Bolivia. This is an amazing find! I am so glad. It’s worth so much more than 100 dollars, I am not going to leave for the Phillipines, Thailand, and Nepal without it. Crossing fingers for January! *could also be Morrocco, Spain, Italy, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Iceland. If travel buddy and places to stay hold up for that.

Sorry to be so rambly, your blog is amazing. I am hoping to put your advice to work manifesting full time vagabondish status.

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 04:00:18 +0000

@Laura – It depends. The last few times I’ve been in Asia, places I’ve stayed have had purified water that I could fill my water bottles with. But they aren’t everywhere, and I hate (with a capital H) buying bottled water – for a variety of reasons.

So it depends on where in the world you’re going. There are plenty of places where hostels/hotels won’t provide purified water (for free, if at all), and having a SteriPen can help you avoid buying/drinking bottled water.

Hope this helps a bit…

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:25:17 +0000

Do you still think this is an awesome or necessary product that you have been traveling longer?

By: Alastair Humphreys

Alastair Humphreys — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:15:32 +0000

I came across your blog again through the Lonely Planet winners list – well done! Fantastic achievement. Looks like you’re doing really well in your quest to be a full time vagabond!
Al