Your Stanley Tumbler Is Probably Filled With Bacteria and Mold—Here's How To Clean It Quickly and Effectively
Woman washing dishes
You may have gone to great lengths to nab one of the trendy Stanley tumblers, and if so, you probably take it everywhere and constantly sip on it. But how often are you washing it? Most likely, it’s not often enough.
Your Stanley Tumbler and any other reusable water bottle may be contaminated with bacteria, which you usually can’t even see, says Marianne Sumego, MD, an internal medicine and pediatrics expert at Cleveland Clinic.
“Most individuals forget that there are bacteria in our mouth and on our skin, so every time we sip or open our water bottles, we are leaving bacteria for potential growth and infection from organisms left behind,” she explains. “If we take the bottle with us to the gym or leave it overnight in a bag, bacteria have a chance to grow.”
After a week without washing, an average reusable water bottle contained more than 300,000 colony-forming units per square centimeter (SFU/sq cm)—more germs than your pet’s bowl or your kitchen sink, according to a study by EmLab P&K.
Some of these germs could be potentially harmful to your health. Dr. Sumego says many diseases are linked to water-borne origins, and water bottles provide the ideal moist environment for the growth of organisms, like mold and bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella.
“Germs can remain on bottles for days or more making it essential we clean them,” she says. Here are some tips for cleaning your Stanley Tumbler or water bottle and why you should wash them regularly.
Why You Need To Wash Your Stanley Tumbler or Water Bottle Regularly
When you notice black mold or a slimy film growing on your water bottle, it’ll probably prompt you to wash it. But, usually, you can’t see the germs growing, and that’s what’s dangerous, says Anthony Ognjan, DO, an osteopathic physician specializing in infectious diseases.
Related: Yes, Drinking Too Much Water Is Possible—Here’s How To Know if You’re Overdoing It With the H2O
“Many times, you can look inside your stainless steel water bottle or Stanley cup and you would have no clue that mold is growing,” he says. “That is why you have to be diligent in your cleaning process.”
Mold and bacteria could be growing in the lid, straw, drinking spout or anywhere else, he says. “Mold cannot grow on clean surfaces because it needs something to attach to.”
Is a Grimy Water Bottle Harmful to Your Health?
Ingesting toxins, like E. coli, salmonella and campylobacter, which could be growing on your water bottles, might cause gastrointestinal symptoms, like diarrhea, vomiting or stomach cramps, Dr. Sumego says.
Some people might also experience recurrent respiratory symptoms—like sneezing and nasal congestion—from coming into contact with these germs, she adds. People with cancer, who are immunocompromised, or who have mold allergies might be more at risk of getting sick, Dr. Ognjan says.
The risk of illnesses increases the longer you go without washing your water bottle, Dr. Sumego explains.
Related: Stanley Issues Firm Message Regarding Viral Claims Its Cups Contain Lead
Another issue is lead. There have been reports that Stanley Tumblers and metal water bottles and cups by other brands contain lead. A Stanley spokesperson told TODAY.com that lead is used in the manufacturing of its products, but the cup needs to be damaged for anyone to be exposed to lead, so there’s little risk.
Other brands, including Bindle and Green Sprouts, have been recalled because of lead, according to Consumer Reports. Lead exposure could cause kidney problems, anemia, reproductive issues and developmental delays in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What’s the Best Way To Wash Your Stanley Tumbler or Water Bottle?
The more frequently you wash your Stanley Tumbler or water bottle, the better. Ideally, Dr. Sumego says you should wash it after each use and run it through the dishwasher at least once a week.
It’s best to take the cup or bottle apart, including the seal, straw and lid, and thoroughly clean each part, says Robert Hostoffer, D.O., an osteopathic physician specializing in allergy and immunology and board member of the American Osteopathic Association.
Put the items in the dishwasher, soak them in hot, soapy water or use diluted vinegar, he adds. “This ensures the mold never takes root.”
“Be sure to look at hidden surfaces, such as the mouthpiece or slide openings—those difficult-to-clean areas,” Dr. Sumego says.
Bottles with small mouth openings might not get adequately cleaned in the dishwasher and might need handwashing, she says. To clean those tough-to-reach spots, as well as straws, use a small metal brush.
“Rinsing the bottle alone is not enough to remove collected bacteria,” Dr. Sumego says.
Then air dry everything, she adds. If you’ve diligently cleaned your bottle and still see mold or fungus growing, it’s best to toss it, Dr. Ognjan says. “It is not worth risking your health for something that is replaceable. You can fall in love with another cup.”
Next, read about why you should sip water even when you don’t feel thirsty.
Sources:
Marianne Sumego, M.D., an internal medicine and pediatrics expert at Cleveland Clinic
Anthony Ognjan, D.O., an osteopathic physician specializing in infectious diseases
Robert Hostoffer, D.O., an osteopathic physician specializing in allergy and immunology and board member of the American Osteopathic Association
Do Stanley cups contain lead or pose a risk of lead poisoning? Experts weigh in, TODAY.com
