NEW YORK — Even if your reusable water bottle is filled only with clear, clean water, experts say it still needs regular cleaning.
Specialists warn that reusable bottles can get dirty regardless of what liquid they contain. Germs from our mouths transfer to the bottle with every sip, and bacteria from our hands can cling to the lid or straw. Tiny, hard-to-reach nooks inside the bottle can become breeding grounds for mold, bacteria, and other microbes if left unwashed.
“It seems like something mundane, but it is extremely important,” said Michele Knepper, nurse practitioner at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Unclean bottles can cause stomach aches, itchy throats, and even worsen allergies or asthma. Experts may differ on how often or exactly how to clean bottles, but they all agree on one thing: washing your bottle is essential.
“Is it that big of a deal? No. But it’s also not difficult to just wash your water bottle,” added Dr. Mike Ren, family medicine physician at Baylor College of Medicine.
How to Properly Clean a Water Bottle
All materials, metal, plastic, or glass, can harbor germs, though plastic bottles are more prone to scratches and dents where bacteria can hide.
A simple routine works best: use a sponge or bottle brush to scrub inside and out with warm, soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and let dry before refilling. For straws or tight crevices, a pipe-cleaner–shaped brush can help.
For a deeper clean, bottles can be placed in the dishwasher if safe, or left overnight with a denture or retainer-cleaning tablet dissolved in water. A warm water solution with vinegar or baking soda also works.
Many experts recommend a simple soapy water cleaning every day and a deeper cleaning once a week. If daily cleaning feels excessive, aim for at least every other week while maintaining good hygiene, such as rinsing the mouthpiece after each refill.
If your bottle contains other beverages like protein shakes or sugary sports drinks, daily cleaning is strongly advised, as bacteria thrive on leftover residues.
Should You Empty Your Bottle Every Day?
Experts differ on leaving water in a bottle overnight. Some recommend emptying after every refill, others every few hours. Dr. Ren says it’s generally safe to leave water overnight, but advises dumping old water at least every few days.
“Guidelines are guidelines,” Ren said. “Everyone’s going to do it a little bit differently.”
If mold is visible or the water smells off, do not drink it. Avoid reusing disposable plastic bottles because chemicals can leach into water, and their cracks and crevices make them easy for germs to grow.
According to Ivy Sun, a hospitality expert at Georgia Southern University, keeping a cleaning habit—even if routines vary—is vital. She washes her own and her children’s bottles daily with soap and water.
“This is just a very small step that we do, but it can largely help with our health,” Sun said.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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