The way you clean your water bottle is wrong! Scientists reveal common mistakes that leave your container dirtier than your toilet seat

When you think of germs, you probably think of fuzzy petri dishes and well-worn toilet seats.

But scientists have revealed that bacteria may be growing right under your nose in an item we probably carry around with us and drink from throughout the day: our reusable water bottles.

A study by US filtration company WaterFilterGuru.com found that the average reusable water bottle has 20.8 million colony forming units (CFU) of bacteria on it.

The most egregious bottles were those with spouts and screw-on lids that each contained 30 million CFU.

The researchers found that two types of bacteria were present in the reusable water bottles they tested: Gram-negative rods and bacilli.

Gram-negative bacteria can cause infections if swallowed, and certain types of bacilli can cause serious gastrointestinal problems.

Compared to other germ-filled areas in your home, the average reusable water bottle contains 5 times more germs than a computer mouse and 14 times more germs than your dog’s drool bowl. Masu.

Most alarmingly, studies show that reusable water bottles have 40,000 times more bacteria than toilet seats.

The longer a water bottle is left at room temperature, the more bacteria will grow.

Thankfully, cleaning your water bottle is relatively easy, and experts recommend washing it once a day.

Dr Primrose Freestone, associate professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester, suggested on BBC’s Science Focus that bottles should be washed in hot water above 60°C, as most pathogens are killed at this temperature. did.

“Add the detergent, swirl it around, and let it sit for 10 minutes,” she said. “Then rinse with hot water and let dry. Overnight is best, as completely drying also prevents microbial growth.”

For bottles that are heavily contaminated with microorganisms, add a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water, let them soak for a few days, then rinse with boiling water and dry.

Dr. Freestone added: “Ideally, water bottles should be washed with detergent after each use to avoid illness.”

“It’s also important to clean accessories such as lids and straws, as they can also harbor microorganisms.”

According to a study by WaterFilterGuru.com, more than 60% of Americans follow Dr. Freestone’s advice and clean their water bottles at least once a day.

But others were not so diligent. A quarter of respondents wash their bottles only a few times a week, while more than 10% wash their bottles several times a month.

Members of Gen Z clean their bottles the least, with 16% washing their bottles only a few times a month.

Scientists suggest that once a water bottle is full, it should be placed in the refrigerator to limit the number of microorganisms.

The type of liquid you pour into the bottle will also affect what grows inside the bottle.

It’s best to avoid protein shakes, fruit juices, and energy drinks, as sugary drinks can be nutritional, but they can also feed the microorganisms in the bottle.

Interestingly, carbonated beverages such as soda tend to have antibacterial properties, as carbon dioxide inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

However, whether your bottle is filled with water, protein shakes, or soda, it’s best to clean your bottle regularly to prevent bacteria from building up on its inner walls.

If you don’t do this, the next time you drink from the bottle, you may notice a strange taste or texture due to waste products released by the growing army of microorganisms.

The next time you feel a little sick, it might be due to bacteria or mold growing under your nose, so reevaluate your water bottle cleaning habits.