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Water Bottles Can Have 40K Times More Bacteria Than Toilet Seat

Did you know your water bottles can have 40k times more bacteria than a toilet seat! Brace yourself, people! Your reusable water bottle is a lot grosser than you think…

water bottles can have 40k times more bacteria than a toilet seat

Did you know your water bottles can have 40k times more bacteria than a toilet seat! Brace yourself, people! Your reusable water bottle is a lot grosser than you think so says the NY Post. You may do a good job washing it, but a new study reveals not everyone does. Testing shows reusable water bottles can have 40-thousand times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. Let that sink in for a sec.

For the study, researchers swabbed parts of different water bottles. They did it three times each, including the spout lid, straw lid and squeeze-top lid. They found two types of bacteria. Gram-negative rods, which can cause infections that are increasingly resistant to antibiotics, and bacillus. Which are certain types of germs that can result in gastrointestinal issues. Squeeze-top bottles were found to be the cleanest of the styles tested, with a tenth of the amount of bacteria as a screw-top lid or straw-fitted lid.

The water bottles, which are described as being like a “portable Petri dish,” were also compared to household objects to show how filthy they are:

  • They contain twice as many germs as the kitchen sink
  • Can hold four times more bacteria than a computer mouse
  • And 14 times more than a pet’s water bowl.

All of this is a good reminder that our water bottles need to be cleaned at least once a day, with hot soapy water. Experts also recommend sanitizing it at least once a week, or more often if you've been sick, drink from it while eating or put something other than water inside.

ManeyEditor
Steve Maney’s radio career has taken him all over the US, from interning with Howard Stern to working with Elvis Duran, this radio veteran now calls Charlotte and Kiss 95.1 home. He is Kiss’ staple entertainment guy writing about his thoughts on local news and funny topics like the name of the male Karen. It’s so much to know, but Maney will deep dive into any topic to get you a great piece to read.