Ellie Kemp
A doctor has issued a grim warning to those of us who don't regularly clean our water bottles.
Reusable water bottles made it 'big time' around the 2010s, thanks to the rise of social media.
They're better for the environment than their single-use counterparts, but, more importantly, they've become somewhat of a fashion trend - just like Labubus. Not that those weird, fluffy dolls should be considered fashionable anyway (sorry, but I don't see the hype!).
Anyway, people are paying upwards of $45 for sleek, trendy water bottles.
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Sure, they can keep your 62 ounces of liquid cool for a long time, but your stylish hydration vessel could also be making you ill.
A Los Angeles-based doctor, Myro Figura, took to TikTok to highlight the, quite frankly, gross reality.
Responding to a simulation video which showed how our beloved water bottles become a ‘breeding ground’ for germs, Dr Figura (@doctormyro) highlighted the importance of regularly cleaning our liquid holders.
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He went on to quote a Water Filter Guru study that found a reusable water bottle had 40,000 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. That's right.
The research found the type of bottle you own matters, too. Straw-top bottles were found to have 14 times the bacteria of a pet bowl, while a spout-top had three times more germs than a kitchen sink.
The thought of drinking out of either of those household items knocks me sick - but hey, it's healthier than a water bottle, apparently.
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Dr Figura explained: "This is particularly the problem with the tops of these bottles; bacteria loves to grow there."
He warned that not only can this make you 'acutely ill', but chronic exposure to mold and biofilms 'can cause chronic illness'.
Now, don't go binning your expensive H2O holders just yet.
There is a work-around - in the form of correctly washing your bottles, including a deep clean once a month.
For the best daily wash, Dr Figura advises scrubbing your bottle with warm, soapy water after each use. That's right; after every single use. Not once a week, or once a fortnight, or whenever you can be bothered...
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It's best to let the bottle bottle air-dry completely before putting the lid back on, too.
And on that note - don't forget to scrub every part of the lid, paying special attention to the threads, spouts, and rubber seals where pesky germs hide.
The health expert recommends using either vinegar or baking soda for your monthly deep clean. Fill the bottle about halfway with equal parts white vinegar and warm water, let it sit for 15 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Or, use the same method with two table spoons of baking soda instead of vinegar.
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Otherwise, running the bottle through the dishwasher will suffice - assuming the bottle is suitable.
I don’t think I’ll ever look at my water bottle the same way again; now every sip feels like a science experiment...