The consequences for your body if you do not clean the bottles you reuse

Videos on TikTok of Owala water bottle owners finding mold are going viral. Although Owala is currently facing criticism, the company is far from the only one that offers a bottle capable of growing mold and putting owners at risk of infection.

In a video shared by a user named Kaebrie, who has since made their account private, explained that after being sick for months, she decided to clean her water bottle more thoroughly than the bath she had been giving it. Under the removable rubber bits, she found mold and believed that its presence was what was causing her to get sick so often.

The risks of not cleaning out your water bottle

After a viral video surfaced, many users shared their similar experiences, which drew attention to the dangerous consequences of neglecting to clean one’s water bottle. Although black mold is typically the culprit that grows in water bottles when they are not cleaned regularly, it does not often cause severe infections. However, mold can cause less severe illnesses, affecting the eyes and throat, and even cause rashes in individuals with higher mold sensitivity.

How to best clean your water bottle

For bottles that can be taken apart and placed in the dishwasher, the hot temperatures will kill the mold. For those without a dishwasher or hot water, vinegar can be used as a cleaning agent to clean out any spores that the water cannot kill. The best practice is to wash your bottle with warm water each day to avoid any build-up of bacteria. After washing, dry the bottle upside down to ensure that any remaining drops fall or dry out.

Specific cleaning instructions for Owalla bottles

The company has released a cleaning guide and posted it on the frequently asked questions portion of their website. All parts of the lid are dishwasher safe. “The spout gasket should be removed by using the convenient pull tab and cleaned separately,” read the instructions. Mold can begin to grow in the various crevices of the lid pieces and it is advised that a sponge or straw is used to reach these areas. As for the straw, it can also be placed in the dishwasher with silverware. Lastly, the cup can be washed by hand or in the machine. However, those made from stainless steel should be washed by hand.