I’ll never forget the time I was introduced to insulated water bottles. As a fervent hot yoga enthusiast at the time, regularly sipping on steamier-than-room-temp H2O while overheating wasn’t as quenching as I’d have wished it to be.
A friend of a friend was raving about her Hydro Flask, so I had to buy one of my own—and it was completely game-changing. I loved it so much that I used it both on and off my mat, day in and day, out for a handful of years… even when it was clearly past its prime. It took some convincing from a friend who was horrified at the bacterial buddies living at the bottom of the bottle (I know… don’t @ me), but I finally pulled an Ariana Grande and gave it a thank u, next for a new but no-less beloved Hydro Flask. About two or so years in, this one is starting to manifest signs of being worse for wear.
This got me thinking: When is it *officially* time to bid farewell to your reusable water bottle? Food safety expert Trevor Craig, corporate director of technical training and consulting at Microbac Laboratories, outlines the when and why ahead.
Filling your water bottles with fresh water is best. And remember, over time the plastic will deteriorate. Replacing your water bottles regularly (at least once a year) is recommended.
3 signs it’s time to replace your reusable water bottle
Personally, I don’t mind a few visible chips and dents on my insulated water bottles. But Craig says it’s more pertinent to investigate similar signs of wear and tear on the inside. “If you’re seeing a lot of cracks, discoloration, scratches, or cracks in your bottle, it is time to replace it,” he says. You might think these are innocuous, but there’s more at play than looks alone. “Scratches, cracks, and breakdown of the lids are spaces where bacteria can get in and start breaking down material even more.” You can think of them as small but potentially disruptive hideaways for pathogens to set up shop and contaminate your H2O. And it turns out they can really pile up.
Per a 2022 study by independent company Water Filter Guru, the bottles tested had an average of 20,800,000 CFUs (colony forming units, or viable microbes). This measurement had 40,000 times (!) the bacteria on a toilet seat and 14 times the amount in a dog bowl. Yikes.
Your water is starting to taste or smell funky
Naturally, one of the easiest signs that your reusable bottle should be tossed is if something is off with the taste of your water. “If you start to taste or smell a metallic flavor or scent, it can be a sign it’s time to replace your water bottle,” Craig says. “Typically, it’s very closely related to the above. As bacteria grows and wears away the material, you might start to get a metallic flavor or scent.”
Why Should You Avoid Plastic Water Bottles?
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