Have you ever looked at your water bottle, noticed black spots or residue, and thought, what is the black stuff on my water bottle?
You’re not alone. A few weeks ago, I encountered the black stuff in an old bottle I picked up by accident when running late for the gym.
Luckily for me, I decided not to drink from the bottle because the black substance inside was mold. Not deadly, but it could have made me sick.
This guide explains exactly what the black stuff is, how it gets there, and how to get rid of it.
Contents
There are more than 100,000 types of mold.
The type of mold that grows in water bottles is usually black mold (Stachybotrys Chartarum).
It thrives in warm, moist environments with low exposure to sunlight (CDC). That means bottles left in a gym bag or school satchel are a perfect place for it to grow.
Low mold levels in bottles are not particularly life-threatening but can cause infections, eye and throat irritations, or rashes. You might be more sensitive to mold if you have asthma or allergies.
However, drinking from a moldy water bottle for an extended period could make anyone sick, so it’s best to get it cleaned ASAP.
Health issues aside, drinking from a moldy water bottle tastes terrible (like damp, dirty leaves).
If your water bottle has black mold growing inside, the easiest way to get rid of it is to wipe the interior with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. This should kill the bacteria and mold, leaving you with a clean water bottle.
To avoid mold growth in the future, make sure you wash your water bottle thoroughly and regularly.
Stainless steel water bottles are generally best for avoiding mold because stainless steel is a hard, non-porous surface with no organic content.
It's not completely immune, because mold can potentially grow on any surface where moisture is present. However, its nature does make growth less likely, provided you keep the bottle clean.
Check out our guide to eco friendly stainless steel water bottles to find one that suits your taste and budget.
Once you've chosen your bottle, here are some tips to keep it clean and mold-free,
If you don’t want to constantly wash your water bottle and deal with the risk of mold, there are other ways to protect against it.
Some bottles feature antimicrobial technology, which inhibits mold and bacteria growth in your water bottle.
This can be a great way to save time cleaning your bottle and keep it safe from harmful bacteria and mold.
By choosing a plastic water bottle, you’re not only potentially adding to the world’s plastic waste problem, but you’re also potentially helping microscopic pests thrive.
Plastic is a porous material and can help mold grow. Stainless steel or glass is my preferred material for reusable water bottles.
Also, it’s not as easy to clean plastic water bottles with boiling water as glass or metal water bottles.
If you do happen to drink water from a moldy bottle, don’t panic, and don’t force yourself to throw up.
Just drink plenty of clean, fresh water to help flush out your system as quickly as possible.
However, please do seek medical attention if you start to feel ill.
Yes, mold in a water bottle does smell. It has a damp, musty odor that’s not very pleasant. If your water bottle smells, take immediate action to get it clean.
Prolonged exposure to black mold can lead to symptoms such as:
Black mold is one of the most toxic mold species.
However, the amount you’ll accidentally drink should be relatively low (you’ll be able to taste high levels of mold).
Staying properly hydrated is essential.
By following the advice in this article, you should be able to stay hydrated and mold-free. Win-Win!
It’s not rocket science, and it doesn’t take much effort to prevent mold spores from growing in your reusable water bottle.
All you have to do is clean it…properly…and on a regular basis!
How do you keep your reusable water bottle mold-free? Do you use dish soap and hot water? Maybe a drop or two of vinegar?
Or have you invested in antimicrobial technology? Drop me a line and let me know.
