When was the last time you washed your water bottle, and are you washing it correctly? L360 reveals the shocking secrets hiding in your favourite flask.
Have you ever taken a swig of water from a reusable bottle and thought to yourself, I don’t actually remember the last time I washed this?
There’s no shame, we’ve all done it — rather than washing your bottle after use, it can be tempting to simply fill it back up with water without washing. After all, all it had in it was water. But could this be harming our health?
We’ve spoken to the experts, who help unpack the dos and don’ts of water bottles.
Can water bottles make you sick?
The short answer is yes. Dr Helen Wall, a healthcare expert at Champions Speakers Agency explains that the medical evidence backs it up.
“Studies have found that reusable bottles can contain bacteria like E coli, staphylococcus, mould and yeast,” Dr Helen says.
While this isn’t fatal for healthy people, if you have underlying health conditions it can lead to gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhoea and vomiting, as well as mouth and throat infections, she explains.
Read more: The benefits of drinking hot vs cold water
Are you supposed to wash water bottles?
While it’s certain you should be washing your reusable bottles, it might be safe to say you’re not washing them often enough.
I, for one, reluctantly admit that I don’t wash my stainless-steel water bottle every day, like Dr Helen says we should.
“Clean at least once a day, if you’re using it every day,” she explains.
She adds that if using your bottle for protein shakes, milkshakes and juice, you should wash it the bottle directly after you’ve finished. “Bacteria love sugar, so you just leave in a really rich environment for them there, particularly if you leave it somewhere warm.”
Be sure to wash your water bottle with warm, soapy water and, if you can, invest in a proper bottle cleaner to get into crevices.
How often should you change your water bottle?
Unfortunately, there are no straightforward answers here. It depends on the bottle itself.
Tara Button, the author of A life Less Throwaway, and founder of BuyMeOnce says that “a quality stainless steel bottle, properly cared for, shouldn’t need replacing for a decade or more”. Plastic bottles, however, are another story.
Dr Helen says scratched plastic bottles can be hiding places for bacteria and be harder to fully disinfect over time.
“Glass bottles are non-porous, probably more hygienic for that reason. [They] won’t retain odour like plastic will, and to some extent, steel will,” she says, adding that the golden rule is to ensure to clean bottles, lids and straws as well.
What’s the best water bottle to buy? Our five favourite water bottles
Read more: The best electrolytes for marathon training
Stanley Quencher Stainless Steel FlowState Tumbler
Our favourites list would can’t be without the influencer of all portable water cups, the Stanley. Living360 lifestyle editor Anna is never seen without hers.
This handy cup holds 890ml of water and will keep it cold all day — ideal for hot summer days.
It’s made of stainless steel so has that bacteria-repelling effect, but still be sure to wash this daily.
Buy now from Oliver Bonas for £31.50
Chillys Series 3 Water Bottle
Chillys is the gold standard for water bottles. It has a 90% recycled stainless steel body, a silent rubber base (perfect for those quiet office moments) and comes in three sizes, 350ml, 500ml and one-litre, and can keep hot liquid hot and cold ones cold.
A smart feature is an antimicrobial collar, made from BioCote, designed to reduce the growth of bacteria and mould, supporting safe drinking. The brand says ‘BioCote remains effective for up to 50 years’.
Read more: How to add more fibre into your diet
Waterdrop Ricola Edition Glass Bottle
These BPA-free glass water bottles hold 600ml and are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also easy to clean and keep free of harmful bacteria.
Waterdrop suggests a combination of rice and washing up liquid to wash your bottle effectively.
Mix a tablespoon of washing up liquid and a handful of uncooked rice, pour into your bottle and give it a good shake.
Buy now from waterdrop for £29.90
BKR Cleo Spiked Bottle
This bottle is made entirely from glass, meaning you can put it in the dishwasher (on the top rack) to make sure it’s totally spick and span at the end of each day.
BKR recommends speeding up drying by leaving a rolled-up piece of paper towel in the bottle overnight, and leaving the cap off. Not only does this improve drying efficiency, but also ensures your bottles don’t become a bacteria breeding ground.
Buy now from Amazon for £25.68
YETI Rambler Bottle
This 769ml bottle is our deputy editor Evelyn’s constant hiking companion. Not only does it hold a decent amount of water for a long hike, it also fits in the standard water bottle compartment of a backpack.
It’s stainless steel and dishwasher safe, so no matter how you like to wash your bottles, you can be certain that it’ll be bacteria free.
Feature image: Pexels
