Gnat- I love the freebies! I used to only use Polar until I figured out they didn't seem to really hold their own against the Texas sun. I know the gas stations that will give me free ice on my preferred routes. 
We throw out our bottles when they get moldy, they just never seem to get clean. This is another reason I stopped using the pricey Polar bottles. To avoid it they get rinsed with really hot water as soon as we are off the bikes.
Amanda
2011 Specialized Epic Comp 29er | Specialized Phenom | "Marie Laveau"
2007 Cannondale Synapse Carbon Road | Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow | "Miranda"
You don't have to be great to get started, but you do have to get started to be great. -Lee J. Colan