Reusable Water Bottles Hold More Bacteria Than a Toilet Seat, New Study Finds

It’s undeniable that reusable water bottles have become a staple in our daily lives, especially during lockdowns. They’ve even earned the title of “emotional Support water bottles,” garnering hundreds of millions of views on TikTok. But there’s a dirty secret behind these popular eco-friendly companions: they can harbor more bacteria than a toilet seat if not cleaned properly!

Source: WION/Youtube

Australian Catholic University clinical psychologist and hoarding disorder expert, Associate Professor Keong Yap, compares the attachment to reusable water bottles to children’s comfort objects like stuffed toys. They’re reliable, predictable, and provide a sense of security, but they can also “betray” you if you don’t clean them regularly.

A recent study from US-based waterfilterguru.com discovered that reusable bottles can contain 40,000 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat, making them like “portable Petri dishes.” Researchers swabbed various water bottle parts, including the spout lid, straw lid, and squeeze-top lid, and found two types of bacteria present: Gram-negative rods and bacillus.

Gram-negative bacteria can cause infections that are increasingly resistant to antibiotics, while certain types of bacillus can result in gastrointestinal issues. When compared to other household objects, the study found that reusable water bottles contain twice as many germs as a kitchen sink, four times the amount of bacteria as a computer mouse, and 14 times more than a pet’s drinking bowl.

Dr. Andrew Edwards, a molecular microbiologist from Imperial College London, explains that the human mouth hosts a large number and range of bacteria. Therefore, it’s not surprising that drinking vessels are covered in microbes. However, University of Reading microbiologist Dr. Simon Clarke reassures us that it’s not necessarily dangerous. He points out that people rarely get sick from water bottles or taps.

Of the three bottle styles tested, squeeze-top bottles were the cleanest, containing a tenth of the bacteria found in screw-top or straw-fitted lids. But regardless of the style, it’s essential to make cleaning your reusable water bottle a part of your daily routine.

Experts recommend washing your bottle at least once a day with hot soapy water and sanitizing it at least once a week. Increase the frequency of cleaning if you’ve been unwell, drink from it while eating, or fill it with something other than water.

So, here’s the call to action for all sustainability enthusiasts: Let’s not let our reusable water bottles become bacterial breeding grounds. Stay committed to cleaning them regularly and encourage others to do the same. By maintaining a hygienic relationship with our trusty water bottles, we can contribute to a greener and healthier future for everyone!

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