Stainless Steel Water Bottle (from two northeast friends)

Wave Bottle is one of the new insulated stainless steel water bottles on the market, this one from a company that makes wheat straw biodegradable phone cases.

Don’t fill hot liquids to top, and avoid wide-mouth bottles with hot drinks for children. Don’t place metal bottles in the microwave.

The company was created by two friends who grew up in a small town in northeast England, and saw first-hand the effect of plastic pollution. Everything is sent in sustainable packaging. And profits help to support the charity Surfers Against Sewage.

This leakproof bottle is stunning to look at, and can keep your drinks cold for 24 hours. It holds 600ml of water (the average intake is around 2 of these bottles each day, to keep you hydrated – or possibly more in hot weather or for athletes etc).

The caveat is that your body loses water with tea, coffee, cola and alcohol. So add an extra glass, for each one of those you drink.

The insulated screw cap makes this bottle easy to fill and clean, and it can also keep drinks hot for 12 hours. The bottle is sent in tissue paper and an easy-to-recycle sleeve, to keep it safe in transit.

How to Care for Reusable Water Bottles

Use warm a mix of warm water, unscented dish soap, and a plastic-free bottle brush to reach every corner, then rinse and keep the lid off, to avoid trapped water and odour. To deep–clean, half-fill the bottle with cleaning vinegar, fill up with cold water, screw the lid on and leave for 10 to 12 hours. Hand-washing is recommended, for a longer bottle life.

How Much Water Should We Drink?

We need water to keep cool, remove waste, and help our joints, brains and eyes (fresh water is also found in raw product like watermelons and bananas). The average person needs around 1.2 litres of water a day (more for athletes, hot weather, some medical conditions and after vomiting/diarrhoea).

So how much is 1.2 litres? Around 6 x 200ml glasses. So drink 2 glasses when you wake up, another 2 before lunch and dinner, and in a couple of weeks you’ll be hydrated. The caveat is that your body loses water with tea, coffee, cola and alcohol.

So add an extra glass, for each one of those you drink. It’s easier to reduce caffeine and alcohol, so you are not guzzling water all day to compensate.

What Kind of Water Should Pets Drink?

Spring and filtered water are fine, you may find health and fur improves. But vets say that (unless medically given) to avoid distilled water (removes minerals and electrolytes). Never give fizzy water to pets, as it could cause bloat.

Don’t let pets drink from puddles. It may taste nice to them, but could contain remnants of bacteria, oil or antifreeze.