When was the last time you washed your water bottle?

With so much chatter in the medical fraternity about the importance of hydration and arguing about the ideal frequency of water to be had in a particular day, water bottles happen to be the unsung heroes upholding one of the pillars of our health. However, what most of us tend to overlook is the hygiene and safety of these same water bottles.

We might be under the impression that because these bottles carry water, they get rinsed themselves- but no, it is important to take time out and clean these bottles to ensure they do not come in the way of your health.

According to Dr Prashant, consultant paediatrician, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Greater Noida, not cleaning a water bottle for too long promotes bacterial growth- which is exacerbated because they find damp, enclosed areas to grow. “Some of these bacteria growing inside water bottles like salmonella, and E.coli can be very harmful. There are also chances for fungus as well as mould growing inside them.”

Not washing plastic bottles can produce a bad odour. This is generally a result of bacteria developing a biofilm on the surface of bottles, which can be hard to clean, he said.

Be mindful of the material of your bottle when taking care of it. (Source: Freepik)

How should you ideally be washing your water bottles?

Instead of just rinsing with running water, Dr Prashant suggested ideal washing your water bottles every day with soapy water, which is pretty sufficient. When it comes to using these bottles to drink any beverage other than water, say juice or soft drinks- make sure you are washing them every time. If possible, use an autoclave machine once a week to effectively sanitise your bottles.

“When it comes to plastic bottles, it is important to keep in mind that plastic bottles are prone to damage when they come in contact with hot water or chemical detergents. Glass bottles on the other hand can withstand heat to a certain extent. However, stainless steel sometimes reacts with chemicals like bleach and chlorine, may cause damage to the insides of your vessel,” he said.

Therefore, he shared that it is smart to be mindful of the material of your bottle when taking care of it.

*DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.*

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