How often to clean the water bottle? Here’s what scientists say

Carl Behnke nutrition expert from Purdue University, Indiana in the USA, for some time wondered how pure his water bottle was. When he tried to wipe her mouthpiece with a paper towel, he was shocked. – I realized that slippery feeling did not depend on the material from which the bottle was made, but on the number of accumulated bacteria – he said.

Do we clean water bottles?

The scientist immediately organized appropriate research. Together with colleagues, they detained students in the corridor and asked them to provide them with their water containers. – One thing paid attention. Many people did not even want to know the results – he emphasized. – They actually knew that their habit of cleaning the bottle was rare or he is not at all. The study confirmed this later – he added.

The BBC discussing this topic pointed out that the reusable bottle market reached $ 10 billion in 2024. A study at the university in Indiana showed that they use them from 50 to even 81 percent. students. Their main advantage is constant and cheap hydration. However, as it turns out, there is some risk.

Primrose Freestone microbiologist from the University in Leicester, Great Britain drew attention to the speed of bacterial multiplication. Those that cause infections in humans already live in 37 degrees Celsius. In turn, it multiplies at 20 degrees. “The longer the water in the bottle remains at room temperature, the more bacteria will multiply,” she explained.

How do multiple bottles get dirty?

Singapore researchers have determined that even boiled water after pouring into a bottle for a long time will not protect against bacteria. On average, they recorded 75,000 Bacteria for a milliliter of water in such bottles at noon, and 1-2 million per milliliter after 24 hours.
One way to slow down this process was to store a bottle in the fridge between successive sips.

However, it was noted that not only water bacteria multiply in such bottles. The problem is the fact of moving them outside the house, in very different surroundings. The microbes settle on the outer walls of the container and easily move inside with each sip. It was also emphasized that bottle users do not always remember to wash their hands before catching such a container.

How to clean water bottles?

Experts emphasize that most microbes are not harmful to people. However, those whose immune systems do not work properly may be exposed. In addition, abdominal pain caused by bacteria in some cases may cause long -term changes in the digestive tract. It should be remembered that some bacteria can cause diarrhea or vomiting.

“There are too many variables, but food poisoning due to bacteria in water from bottles will never lead to positive changes in the digestive tract,” Primrose Freestone emphasized.

How should we clean our bottles then? Certainly regularly – Carl Behnke recommends at least once a week. The best results in the study of Indiana scientists were achieved by people who used the dishwasher or washed their containers with a brush. Of course, the worst was 15 percent. respondents who … never cleaned bottles from buying.