Here’s why you need to clean your water bottle more often

(CNN) - Since reusable bottles often carry just water, the urge to clean them may not be as strong.

But ahead of summer temperatures and more reasons to hydrate, doctors advise to remember to clean your tumblers often.

Dr. Marianne Sumego, with the Cleveland Clinic, says the inside of reusable bottles – whether plastic, glass or stainless steel – are moist environments where bacteria loves to grow, especially under moving parts.

“If you’re not getting in there with a bristle brush or really trying to get those mechanisms clean, you’re gonna leave that bacteria behind. And so again, it’s just another opportunity for things to kind of get out of control and grow,” Sumego said.

It’s not just gross, it can also make you sick.

“We want people to stay hydrated, but we don’t want them to do that at the risk of getting harmed or getting an infection, which is what can happen if you’re really not taking care of your water bottle,” Sumego said.

Potential consequences include gastrointestinal issues and allergy symptoms.

“If you’ve got mold allergies, you might be getting sniffles because that mold is gonna grow over time. [Mold] absolutely loves a moist environment. And so, you may have this unexplained constant sniffles, itchy nose, sneezing all the time,” Sumego said.

Doctors suggest giving water bottles a scrub with soap and water after each use, and don’t forget to clean the lids and straws.

Ideally, throw the bottle in the dishwasher to get surfaces exposed to water pressure, both inside and out.

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