When was the last time you washed your reusable water bottle?
Although they’re a great way to stay hydrated on the go, they can also be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold if you don’t give them a good scrub every now and again.
“Everything that touches our reusable water bottles can transmit bacteria. We put our mouth to the water bottle, we lift the straw, we set it down -- so bacteria can be transferred from any contact that’s made,” explained Dr. Marianne Sumego, a primary care physician with Cleveland Clinic.
According to Sumego, bacteria and mold thrive in moist environments, like the reusable water bottles many of us use every day.
You often can’t see the germs that might be growing inside your water bottle, and they could potentially cause you to experience symptoms similar to food poisoning.
Those with sensitivities to mold may also have a flare-up of allergy symptoms if mold starts growing in their go-to tumbler.
To prevent this, Sumego recommends cleaning your water bottle with soap and water after every use -- and stresses that just rinsing it isn’t enough.
She said it’s important to take the time to clean all those hard-to-reach places.
“Water bottles have nooks, crannies and removable parts. All those areas can really harbor bacteria and mold if not cleaned properly,” Sumego said. “That’s why it’s important to remove all the pieces of your water bottle and wash them thoroughly -- even using something like a wire brush, if needed, to clean those hard-to-reach places.”
Whether it’s stainless steel, glass or plastic, Sumego said all reusable water bottles need to be regularly washed to avoid the buildup of bacteria and mold.