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SearchWhen’s the last time you washed your reusable water bottle? A doctor explains why it's important to regularly wash them to help avoid buildup of mold and bacteria.
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CLEVELAND - When’s 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 Marianne Sumego, MD, a primary care physician with Cleveland Clinic.
According to Dr. 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 may 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, Dr. 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,” Dr. 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, Dr. Sumego said all reusable water bottles need to be regularly washed to avoid the buildup of bacteria and mold.
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 81,000 employees worldwide are more than 5,743 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,160 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,690-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 276 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2023, there were 13.7 million outpatient encounters, 323,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 301,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 132 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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