I am sharing my experience of using mud bottles!
The idea of sustainable living and using green products was deep-rooted in me for many years, and on the macro-level, I had been living a sustainable-life. But on the micro-level, many alternatives were waiting to be implemented.
Using mud bottles was one of the alternatives that I decided to go forward with.
Initially, I spent more time trying to understand how to take care of them, what their limitations were, and how they could be incorporated in the everyday lifestyle in the long run. I also pondered over the extent to which they could replace not-so-eco-friendly bottles. A few of my findings are as follows:
✅ Mud bottles can be cleaned using a bottle brush. The use of soap must be avoided as their surfaces are porous. They help in oxygenating the water and keep it cool ⛄ but sometimes old bottles are unable to do either after one season due to the deposition of salts and minerals.
💧After a few months of use, they might start dripping a few millilitres of water from the base and can break if not handled with care. Thus, tricky to carry when going out 💼 but definitely prove to be a portable version of the age-old matkas.
✅ They also help in employing local artisans and in supporting the local economy.
𐄷 Mud bottles can be as heavy as glass-bottles. Though non-reactive, glass bottles don't have a cooling effect like mud bottles do. Commonly used plastic bottles are lighter compared to the two, but even the best food-grade plastics carry some carcinogenic and hormone-disrupting potential.
Stainless steel bottles are an excellent choice (especially when travelling) but aren't as eco-friendly as mud bottles, and copper bottles in my experience are a little reactive so I refrain from using them.
After using mud bottles for more than two years, I can say that it is healthier to drink water at a temperature that mud bottles provide versus refrigerated water. It is cool enough to quench the thirst and is environment-friendly as well.
