I had a thing about using tonic water bottles, the ones that had quinine in them... They were clear, and I thought the quinine had something to do with me being successful in getting longer-lasting brews...
Anyway, what I stress to the beginner most is STERILIZATION. What I would do is add my sugar to boiled water in the pot it was boiled in.... The reasons being 1) it is pretty much bacteria free water, 2) The sugar dissolves really fast and completely, and 3) It is now sterilized sugar as well... just don't add boiling hot water to your bottles without some cold water in there first, or your bottles will melt... Don't ask this monkey how he knows that.
Then, I would rinse my bottles, stoppers, funnels, spoons, ANYTHING that comes in contact with the brew with rubbing alcohol and let it evaporate off... Remember, it is not too critical, because the by product of yeast is alcohol, so it's not imperative that you let the stuff completely dry.
Do that, keep everything sterilized, and you will get batches of home-brewed c02 that go on for 3 weeks, sometimes more...
AND don't add more sugar than you need, go LIGHT on the mix... Too much sugar makes it peak too soon and burn out faster.