Here's What Happens If You Don't Wash Your Water Bottle Daily

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Whether you're a die-hard Stanley user or are loyal to your Yeti, there's one thing all drinkware has in common—the need to be regularly cleaned. If you're attached to your emotional support water bottle, it's easy to get so caught up in the routine of drinking and refilling that stopping to clean your vessel of choice goes by the wayside. While it may seem like adding fresh water to your bottle means it shouldn't get dirty, not thoroughly washing your water bottle daily puts you at risk for mold exposure, which can lead to serious health problems.

If you've scrolled through TikTok lately, you may have seen videos of Stanley enthusiasts and other water bottle users discovering mold growing on their favorite cup. In a now-private video that racked up over 3 million views, TikTok user Kae Brie shared the story of how prolonged exposure to undiscovered mold in her Owala water bottle landed her in the emergency room. Brie faced bronchitis, sore throat, and sinus infection over the course of a couple months.

Don't remember the last time you gave your water bottle a thorough cleaning? You may also be at risk. Mold needs moisture and organic matter to grow and is commonly found in the small, often-overlooked parts of your cup that are meant to be detached before washing. For Brie, her water bottle mold was discovered when detaching the spout gasket, which is meant to be removed when washing your Owala FreeSip, according to the company's website. When cleaning a Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState, TikTok users are finding it's important to remove the rotating piece that allows the cup to go from a straw hole opening to closed in order to get a thorough clean.

No matter what kind of bottle, tumbler, or cup you drink out of, experts recommend cleaning your water bottle every day. Disassemble your water bottle and wash it, either in a dishwasher on the hottest setting or by hand, advises Leann Poston M.D., a licensed pediatrician from Ohio with an MD, M.B.A, and M.Ed in instructional design working in academic medicine. Make sure you are thoroughly cleaning your straws and make sure all pieces air dry completely before reassembling your bottle.

If you do uncover mold during a deep cleaning of your water bottle, don't panic. A mold discovery typically does not mean an immediate trip to the doctor, unless you are experiencing symptoms. "If you have a compromised immune system, have a known detoxification defect or mold allergy, you should seek medical attention immediately," suggests Menka Gupta, MD, IFMCP and founder of Nutranourish. "Otherwise, (seek medical attention) if you experience severe or persistent symptoms or if your symptoms worsen."

"Commonly reported symptoms (of mold exposure) include respiratory issues like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, along with sinus congestion and throat irritation," Gupta explains.

Thankfully, mold doesn't need to deter you from reaching your daily hydration goals— as long as you properly clean your water bottle of choice daily. If you don't want to go a moment without your tumbler, consider adding a second cup to your drinkware line-up that will allow you to rotate between them. Here are some of our favorites:

Quencher H2.0 FlowState

FreeSip

Rambler

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