It appears that reusable water bottles have become a staple for many of us.
These bottles have skyrocketed in popularity as essential wellness accessories, and the reasons are clear.
Firstly, they are an eco-friendly option compared to single-use plastic bottles, cutting down on our intake of nanoplastics.
Beyond environmental benefits, they provide constant hydration and can even complement your fashion sense.
Yet, there’s a downside to reusable bottles: they can become breeding grounds for germs.
This issue has captured attention on platforms like TikTok, where one video in particular has gone viral.
A user was shocked to find black mold-like spots when she disassembled her Stanley cup’s lid, a disturbing sight for sure.
Cleaning your bottle regularly can significantly mitigate this problem, according to Martin Bucknavage, a senior food safety extension program specialist at Penn State.
He explained to Health, “Any time a bottle isn’t clean and there’s moisture in that bottle, that is always going to support the growth of microorganisms like bacteria and mold.
“Bacteria are in your mouth and the environment, so they are going to make their way into your bottle.”
So, how can you keep your reusable water bottle clean?
Experts universally recommend regular cleaning, especially if the bottle is used daily.
Donald Schaffner, PhD, a professor of food science at Rutgers University, suggested to Health that washing it weekly or every few days is advisable.
The need for cleaning may vary based on how and where the bottle is kept. “If the bottle is in a backpack or purse and the part you put your mouth on is bumping into things, it will probably get dirtier faster than if it just sits next to you all day,” he observed.
The contents of the bottle also affect cleanliness. Bucknavage pointed out that beverages like coffee or sugary drinks can foster bacterial growth more readily, and even mold to some extent.
While dishwashers are effective for those bottles that are dishwasher-safe, a thorough hand wash can do the trick as well. Bucknavage emphasized the importance of using soap and scrubbing tools to reach the nooks where ‘bacteria likes to hang out’.
Therefore, if it’s been awhile since your reusable water bottle had a thorough cleaning, now might be the perfect time to scrub it down.