You probably have a thousand reusable water bottles, but when was the last time you cleaned them properly? Especially if you use them often and take them to different places, you should be washing them often as well. Many people neglect to do this though, which could have many harmful effects. Here's everything you need to know on how to properly wash your reusable water bottle.
Why You Need To Wash Your Water Bottle Frequently
It's a no-brainer that leaving your reusable water bottle unwashed for days or refilling it before it dries completely can lead to bacterial growth. If you don’t wash your bottle frequently enough, you could actually get sick more often. There's a ton of germs left in your water bottle, such as coliform bacteria like E. coli, which can cause serious stomach bugs. Then coliform and other strains are more likely to breed if there’s saliva from backwash present or if you keep your bottle at room temperature. This is likely since you probably leave it on your desk or in your bag throughout the day. It’s even worse if you drink out of an opaque container since the inside is dark and moist, being prime conditions for bacterial growth. Are you grossed out yet?
How To Properly Wash Your Reusable Water Bottle
With all of that being said, it's important to properly wash your reusable water bottle. Rinsing with just soap and water honestly doesn't do much. To really get rid of the bacteria present, you need to scrub the bottle’s inside as well as its mouthpiece, straw, and top. Ideally you should do this using a brush or sponge with a bleach-based cleaning product to eliminate it all. Better yet, invest in a self-cleaning bottle that will do the work for you.
How Frequently Should You Wash Your Water Bottle
This is the million dollar question at the end of the day. And the answer is every time you drink out of your full water bottle! Even if that means multiple times per day, just do it - you'll thank yourself later. Before you even think about refilling it, dump out any leftover water to remove some of the germs left behind by your saliva. Then wash it thoroughly and let it air dry before you decide to refill it. This will save your body and health tremendously.
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-Gina
