Let’s be honest for a moment. When was the last time you gave the reusable water bottles in your home a thorough clean? I’m not talking about just dumping out the water and giving it a quick rinse before leaving it for tomorrow. I’m referring to an actual clean—with soap, water, and a good scrub.
I’ll admit it. I cleaned ours three days ago. Not too shabby, right? But that’s only because I recently committed to cleaning them more often than the previously dismal schedule of every few weeks—if that.
Now, I’m not generally a messy or unhygienic person. I tidy up my house from top to bottom weekly, scrub toilets, and sweep floors almost daily. My kids take regular baths and wash their hands frequently. However, we all have that one task that we let slide to keep ourselves sane, and for me, it’s those pesky water bottles.
I used to think, “It’s just water in there. Rinsing is good enough.” But when I finally took the time to clean them, I was shocked by what I found. We have water bottles with removable straws, and let’s just say, the condition of those straws after a long time without a proper clean is downright gross.
A few weeks ago, after an embarrassingly long stretch without cleaning, I took a picture of what I found—definitely not something I was proud of. I felt like an awful parent when I saw the state of that straw.
After doing some research, I discovered that I should be washing the water bottles and their components much more frequently than I had imagined—ideally, every single day. Yes, you read that right. According to experts, daily cleaning is crucial. Eric Johnson, a water bottle expert, shared that it’s best to clean your bottle at the end of each day.
And here’s the kicker: it doesn’t matter that it’s “just water.” Microbiologist Laura Kim informs us that germs thrive in warm, moist environments like water bottles. Contaminated bottles can transmit all sorts of germs you might catch from casual contact with others. While not every germ will make you sick, exposing yourself to unknown microbes can increase your risk of illness.
Just rinsing with plain water isn’t sufficient either. Carolyn Smith from the Good Housekeeping Institute emphasizes the importance of using soap and hot water to effectively eliminate germs. She also points out that we should pay special attention to the nooks and crannies of the bottle caps, as these areas can harbor germs even after a rinse.
I have a feeling that I’m not alone in overlooking this task. Seriously, do you know anyone who genuinely cleans their water bottles every single day? Part of the issue is that cleaning them thoroughly can be a hassle, especially in those hard-to-reach areas. I’ve found that investing in a few bottle brushes has made this chore much more manageable.
Reusable water bottles are fantastic and an essential part of maintaining hydration, especially for my kids who take them to school and keep them by their bedsides. Choosing reusable over single-use plastic bottles is a step toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
But let’s face it—life is hectic, and keeping up with tasks like cleaning water bottles can be challenging. It’s understandable why many of us have let this slide. While I might not scrub every nook and cranny every day, I am committed to cleaning them much more regularly than before, ensuring that soap and water make their way into those bottles frequently. Allowing my kids to drink from grimy, germ-filled bottles is where I draw the line.
For more on maintaining a clean and healthy lifestyle, check out our other blog post here. And if you’re seeking resources on family planning and pregnancy options, this site is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, keeping our kids’ water bottles clean is an essential but often overlooked task. By committing to daily or more frequent cleaning, we can ensure that our children stay healthy and hydrated. Don’t let the busy nature of life keep you from addressing this important responsibility.