Subj : Your reusable water bottle may be dirtier than a toilet seat
To   : All
From : News
Date : Sat Jun 08 2024 01:16 pm

Water bottles. They're transportable, cost-effective, usually environmentally
friendly, and all the rage. But just how clean are they?

According to a 2022 study, reusable water bottles contain an average of 20.8m
colony-forming units (CFUs) of bacteria - 40,000 times more than the microbes
on a toilet seat.

So, what nasties might be living on your water bottle? And does your bottle
need a jolly good clean?

Seven Sharp asked scientist Michelle Dickinson, also known as Nanogirl, for
some tips on how to make sure water bottles pass a warrant of fitness.

"There are all sorts of germs in your water bottles, especially your reusable
ones - bacteria, viruses, different types of fungus, including mould and
sometimes yeast," said Dickinson.

"Think about what touches your bottle. Number one is your mouth, which has
bacteria in it. Number two, mould spores in the air around us - they can
settle if you don't clean your bottle very well.

"You might share your bottle with somebody else. Apparently, 50% of people
who drink from a bottle share it with their partners, so you've got their
germs going in there, too."

Dickinson said research showed water bottles harbour bacteria.

"The research has been really clear. The bacteria you find in water bottles
is way more than you would find on your toilet seat. There's lots of things
going on in that water."

And no two water bottles are created equal - Dickinson said some containers
are better than others.

"The one that comes out the best is a steel container with a nice open lid,
which you can easily clean. Bacteria don't seem to stick as well to steel.

"The worst kind of container is a plastic one, especially the ones with mixed
types of plastic, straws and attachments. They're very hard to clean. Plastic
ones harbour more bacteria. And research shows that steel containers are much
better.

How often should you wash your reusable water bottle?

"Ideally, you're supposed to use dish soap and hot water every single day.
Use a bottle brush if you have one to get into all the nooks and crannies.

"If you're a little bit lazy, put white vinegar into your bottle, fill it
with hot water and leave it overnight for 24 hours."

The drying process is vital.

"The most important part is the drying process," said Dickinson.

"Make sure you dry your bottle well because the environment in your bottle
attracts and helps the bacteria and mould to grow."

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