FAQs

All you need to know about the Origami Bottle & Cup.

How to fold your Origami Bottle?

Fold with logic. Not force. 😉
It shouldn't be crushed or squished. Folding it correctly means longer life, better performance, and zero frustration.

Top FAQs - Bottle & Cup

We can not provide a fixed number of folds, as durability depends on use, temperature, and folding care. The materials are chosen specifically for their high mechanical strength and consistent folding performance.


While we don’t quote a specific fold cycle, our testing includes inflation pressure, material twisting, and drop testing.

Origami Bottle Version 2 outperforms Origami Bottle Version 1 in drop tests. Origami Bottle V1 is not drop-resistant.

Origami Cup
The Origami Cup is made from a premium thermoplastic polymer blend (TPS, PP/SEBS), developed by a leading German materials company. It is BPA-free, BPS-free, and food-safe for both hot and cold beverages, and milk fatty foods. The lid is made of polypropylene (PP) with a silicone gasket, and the optional sleeve and straw are made of durable, food-contact-safe TPE and silicone.

Origami Bottle
There are two versions of the Origami Bottle, each made with different materials:
Version 1 is made with a bio-based polymer derived from rapeseed, developed by a Dutch company Envalior (ex-DSM). It is BPA- and BPS-free, food-safe, and free from chemical leaching. FDA/EU certified.

Version 2 is made from a premium thermoplastic polymer (TPS, PP/SEBS). Like the Cup, it is developed by a leading German materials company (Kraiburg TPE). It is BPA- and BPS-free, food-safe, and chosen for its higher rigidity, strength, and long-term fold resistance. The bottle also features a thick, durable plastic neck that replaces the previous metal neck from Version 1.

*Note on microplastics: We know this is a growing concern. While no standardized lab test currently exists for microplastic leaching from reusable containers, our materials are injection-molded (not thermoformed or layered like disposable plastics), and we’ve taken every measure to ensure structural integrity - including at the folding lines. We work with certified, long-term tested materials and suppliers, and consult with materials experts to stay ahead of evolving standards.

The folding creases are on the outside, while the inside surface is smooth and glossy for easier cleaning — that’s why we recommend using a bottle brush or sponge for best results.

- Always air dry thoroughly before folding or storing.

Before First Use: For more sensitive people, Origami Bottle V2 may have a stronger initial odor that fades with cleaning and usage. We recommend giving the bottle/cup several soapy hot washes and letting it air dry fully between uses. For faster results, soak the bottle/cup in hot, soapy water and leave it overnight.

Weekly cleaning: Clean it with a bottle brush for best results; avoid leaving liquids inside for long periods. Always air dry completely before folding or storing.

Dishwasher-safe: Top rack only, gentle cycle (max 65°C / 149°F), fragrance-free detergent. Remove and clean the silicone gasket and outer ring separately. All parts, including the internal silicone gasket in the cap and the outer silicone ring, can be removed and cleaned individually.

Origami Cup
The Cup is suitable for both hot and cold drinks – coffee, tea, juice, water, and even cocktails.
- Always use the protective sleeve when handling hot liquids.
- Avoid closing the top-flip lid when the beverage is above ~70°C (150°F) – steam pressure can build up, which may pop the lid open and potentially damage the locking mechanism over time.
- The Cup can be used for carbonated or fermented drinks – just keep the top lid open to let the pressure escape, especially with highly fizzy beverages.
- The Cup is microwave-safe.

Origami Bottle
The Bottle is designed for still water only. Do not use carbonated drinks – the pressure buildup inflates the bottle and may damage it.
- it is not suitable for hot drinks, carbonated drinks, alcohol, or acidic juices.
- Warm water is fine, but the exterior may heat up – use the cap’s flip ring when handling.
- The Bottle is not microwave-safe.

The Origami Bottle V2 keeps the same size, shape, folding design, and functionality as V1, so it will look and feel the same in your hand. The key difference is the material: V2 is made from a premium thermoplastic polymer blend developed by a leading German company, offering greater durability, drop resistance, and longevity compared to V1’s bio-based rapeseed polymer from Envalior (ex-DSM) in the Netherlands.

Key differences:
Material durability: V2 is more resistant to drops and deformation, making it better for long-term daily use.
• Neck: V2 features a thick plastic neck for lighter weight and improved performance, replacing V1’s stainless steel insert.
• Folding lifespan: Both versions are designed for thousands of folds, but V2’s material is optimized for repeated folding at the thinner folding areas with less wear over time.

Note on initial odor:
The new material in V2 may have a stronger manufacturing odor at first compared to V1. This is temporary and will fade with proper care. We recommend giving the bottle several thorough washes with warm, soapy water and letting it air dry fully between uses. For faster results, soak it multiple times in soapy water or leave it filled with clean water overnight.

Bottle & Cup Folding

See the video in the beginning of the page and follow the instructions:
1. Remove the cap and hold the bottom.
2. Press on the straight HORIZONTAL lines from bottom to top - 3 times in total.
3. Compress well to remove air and tighten the cap.

To fold your cup, make sure it's empty. Тhen remove the lid and follow these steps:
1. Open the top-flip drinking cover of the lid and hold the bottom of the cup.
2. Press the STRAIGHT creases on the cup body in sequence.
3. Compress the cup fully, remove air, and close the top flip.

If you use it with care, the Origami Bottle and Cup can last for years. Even the thinnest parts between two sections can take thousands of folding cycles.

We can't provide a fixed number of folds, as durability depends on use, temperature, and folding care. The materials are chosen specifically for their high mechanical strength and consistent folding performance.

While we can't quote a specific fold cycle, our testing includes inflation pressure, material twisting, and drop testing.

No, they're not designed to be adjusted and used partially folded. It is not convenient and drinks can be spilt around.

Bottle Use

The Origami Bottle is designed to hold still water only. We DO NOT recommend using it for coffee, tea or other drinks as stains and smells may occur.

Do not use for carbonated drinks as well. Carbonated drinks create high pressure and due to the flexibility of the material the bottle inflates and cannot stay on a flat surface. Moreover, with such high pressure, the bottle may break at the bottom especially if it’s pressed or dropped.

You can keep your Origami Bottle in the fridge. We DO NOT recommend putting it in the freezer, especially when filled with more than 30% of its capacity. As with any other container, the water will expand in volume and the bottle can break.

The Origami Bottle is not isothermal. Unfortunately, no material currently available has the properties to fold and be isothermal at the same time.

No, the Origami bottle is not microwave-safe. DO NOT put it in microwaves or ovens.

It is recommended to wash and dry the bottle after use. Do not leave your bottle folded with residual liquids inside. Unpleasant odor might appear and you would need to wash the bottle thoroughly.

Cleaning: Bottle & Cup

The folding creases are on the outside, while the inside surface is smooth and glossy for easier cleaning — that’s why we recommend using a bottle brush or sponge for best results. You can remove the internal silicone gasket in the cap of the bottle and clean all parts individually.

- Always air dry thoroughly before folding or storing.

Before First Use: For more sensitive people, Origami Bottle V2 may have a stronger initial odor that fades with cleaning and usage. We recommend giving the bottle/cup several soapy hot washes and letting it air dry fully between uses. For faster results, soak the bottle/cup in hot, soapy water and leave it overnight.

Weekly cleaning: Clean it with a bottle brush for best results; avoid leaving liquids inside for long periods. Always air dry completely before folding or storing.

Dishwasher-safe: Top rack only, gentle cycle (max 65°C / 149°F), fragrance-free detergent. Remove and clean the silicone gasket and outer ring separately. All parts, including the internal silicone gasket in the cap and the outer silicone ring, can be removed and cleaned individually.

Yes. Give your DiFOLD Bottle or Cup several deep cleans with dishwashing detergent and hot water to remove any residual manufacturing odors.

After each use, we recommend cleaning and drying your bottle or cup thoroughly. You can store it folded or unfolded — both are fine. If kept folded for a long time, it may take a little longer to regain its full shape. In that case, simply pour in hot water to help it return to normal.


You can remove the silicone isolation gasket from the cap and clean both parts separately. It is NOT necessary to do so every time you clean your bottle.

Specific Use Cases & Issues

Your bottle may not remain folded if:
- You have removed the internal gasket and haven’t placed it back.
- You have placed the internal gasket back but you haven’s pressed its periphery properly back into the internal surface of the cap which may lead to a poor vacuum effect or leakages. Use a spoon to press the gasket to the upper part of the cap. See an explainer video in the beginning of this page.

Prior to using it for the first time, the bottle may have slight residual production odor, which disappears after several washings and use.

For more sensitive people, Origami Bottle V2 may have a stronger initial odor that fades with cleaning and usage. We recommend giving the bottle/cup several soapy hot washes and letting it air dry fully between uses. For faster results, soak the bottle/cup in hot, soapy water and leave it overnight.

To make sure that the bottle remains odor-free you need to wash it regularly and to dry it after use.

Leaking may be a result of poor closing of the cap or dislocation of the internal gasket. When placing the internal gasket back, make sure that its periphery is firmly placed on the internal surface of the cap. Use a spoon to press the gasket to the upper part of the cap. See an explainer video in the beginning of this page.

If the leaking occurs from the bottom or any of the folding creases, please reach out to us at shop@difold.com with more info on how this has happened and if it is a manufacturing defect, we'll replace it with a new one.

When the bottle/cup is exposed to cold temperatures the material freezes and may break if pressure is applied. We recommend waiting for the surface to reach room temperature before folding it again.

Cup: The Origami Cup’s lid is leakproof under normal use, like carrying it by hand or placing it in a car cup holder. However, it’s not designed to be thrown loosely into a bag, especially near electronics or valuables. If the cup is squished or compressed, leakage may occur.
To ensure leakproof use, always make sure the top lid is fully closed and that the internal gasket is correctly positioned aroiund the lid, with its edges firmly pressed into place.

Bottle: The Origami Bottle is leakproof when properly closed, making it safe for everyday use, such as carrying by hand or storing upright in a bag. However, we don’t recommend tossing it loosely into a bag with electronics or valuables, as strong compression can cause leakage.

Always ensure the cap is tightly closed and that the internal silicone gasket is in place and properly seated along its edge inside the cap.



The Origami Bottle is airport security friendly, as long as you remember to empty out the water.

A change in altitude leads to a change in the air volume inside the bottle. When you fly by air the bottle can look more inflated or compressed. In such cases, you can simply open the cap to equalize the pressure and it won’t lead to any damage to the product.

Other

Yes, we have patents both on Utility and Design level. We're patenting a wide spectrum of foldable geometrical patterns and the Origami Bottle is our first creation and representative of the bigger ReUse ReFold movement that we envision.
We aim to create a whole portfolio of fodable reusable products that reprace more and more single-use items.

All DiFOLD bottles are made of TPC, TPE-E No. 7 which is marked at the bottom of the bottle.
The cap is made of stainless steel.

If you accidentally bought a knockoff or counterfeit DiFOLD bottle, you should demand a refund from the seller. Please also report the fraudulent seller to us or at the selling platform.

Knock-offs made of silicone do not offer the same performance as the DiFOLD Origami Bottle. If you think you have purchased a fake bottle or you see one listed in the marketplaces and you are not sure if it's original, do not hesitate to contact us at shop@difold.com

During the 3 years of research and development process of the bottle, we have done a wide range of tests.

- Durability tests: with different materials for the main body to find the material that has the right characteristics to be both stable and foldable, resistant tо multiple folds.
- Food safety: we have done specific migration testing for various chemicals and all of the materials are food-safe tested.
- Every color variation for the product is FDA and EU 1935/2004 compliant.

We are working with a German quality assurance partner to ensure that the quality of the product is sustained over a long period of time.

We have estimated that the carbon footprint of the Origami Bottle is 680g of C02 emissions. For reference, competitive foldable bottles made of silicone have footprint of 120-130% more, equal to 1.2-1.3 kg of CO2.
*Our calculations are based considering the database of Delft University of Technology.

The Origami Bottle is designed for easy and effective recycling. Please follow these steps for disposal.

Please cut the plastic portion of the neck and separate it from the metal neck part. Then dispose every part as recommended: 

  • Plastic section of the body (TPC, TPE-E, No. 7): plastic or general waste container
  • Metal neck (stainless steel): metal waste container
  • Cap (stainless steel): metal waste container
  • Gaskets (silicone): general waste container

Product development, design and prototyping is taking place in Sofia (Bulgaria). This is where we are based as a team.

Our manufacturing is taking place in Shenzhen, China and our factory is ISO 9001 and BSCI certified.

With expansion we'll be looking to set a 2nd production base in Europe where we can optimize shipping, CO2 emissions and undergo production with lower carbon impact.

* If you don't find what you are looking for, send us a message and we will get back to you.