Your Water Bottle Might Have Fecal Bacteria — How to Clean It - video Dailymotion

If you don’t wash your water bottle properly as often as you should, you’d be surprised at what might be growing on the surface and on the inside.

Transcript

00:00Did you guys know that this part of your stainling comes off, but not only does it come off,

00:04there is so much mold under here.

00:05Did you know your reusable water bottle could be a hotspot for strep and fecal bacteria?

00:10Here are the tips you need to know to keep it clean and safe.

00:14Carl Benke, a hydration enthusiast and professor at Purdue University, found a slimy biofilm

00:19in his water bottle.

00:20This led him to start a study with a group of other scientists to see how our water bottles

00:24get contaminated.

00:25Spoiler, if you're not cleaning yours properly, you could be sipping on more than just water.

00:30While using a reusable water bottle is great for your health and the planet, not keeping

00:35it clean can cause problems.

00:36Carl asked, quote,

00:37Do you wash your dishes after dinner?

00:39Of course.

00:40But do you clean your water bottle properly?

00:42Rinsing alone isn't enough.

00:44Bacteria love the warmth, moisture, and contamination that comes with everyday use.

00:48Dr. Yuriko Fukuda from Baylor College of Medicine warns that these conditions can lead to illness,

00:53especially for those with weaker immune systems.

00:56Here's how to keep your water bottle in tip-top shape.

00:58One, stick to water.

01:00Avoid adding energy drinks or powders.

01:02They just boost bacterial growth.

01:04Two, avoid the heat.

01:05Don't leave your water bottle in a hot car.

01:08Warm temperatures help germs multiply.

01:10Three, rinse daily, wash weekly.

01:12Give it a rinse every day and a thorough wash once a week with soap and a bottle brush.

01:17Dry it upside down to avoid mold.

01:19Four, no sharing.

01:21Keep your bottle to yourself to avoid extra germs.

01:24Five, go for wide mouths.

01:26Bottles with wide openings or built-in straws are easier to clean and dry.

01:30Carl's new routine, rinse daily, wash weekly with detergent and a splash of Clorox bleach.