In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the small things that can make a big difference to our health and well-being. One such detail that might be slipping under your radar is the cleanliness of your water bottle. While you are mindful of the importance of staying hydrated, are you paying enough attention to how clean your water bottles are?
You might think giving your water bottle a rinse once a day or even once a week is sufficient, but cleaning expert Chantel Mila has some news that might make you reconsider your habits.
In a conversation with Today Extra hosts Sylvia Jeffreys and David Campbell, Mila emphasised the importance of cleaning your water bottle after every single use, with an additional deep clean once a week. She explained the reason why.
This might sound excessive, but consider this: every time you take a sip, you’re introducing bacteria from your mouth into the bottle. Throughout the day, these bacteria can multiply, and if you’re refilling without cleaning, you’re creating a breeding ground for germs. This is particularly true for bottles with straws, where ‘so much gunk and bacteria can build up,’ according to Mila.
Ensuring that our drinking vessels are as clean as possible is a simple step we can take to protect our health.
To effectively clean your water bottle without it becoming a time-consuming chore, Mila offers a handy tip: denture tablets. These effervescent tablets aren’t just for dentures. She said they can work wonders on your water bottle too.
‘Just pop one or two denture tablets in there, let it fizz, wait an hour, and [your] drink bottles are so much fresher without scrubbing,’ she explains.
But the revelations from Mila don’t stop at water bottles. She also points out that many Australians are neglecting the cleanliness of their washing machines and dryers. These appliances, which we rely on so heavily, also require regular maintenance.
Mila suggests cleaning your washing machine ‘every three or four months,’ paying special attention to the seal on front loaders, which can harbour mould.
‘Just get some cotton balls, soak them in some hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar, place them in your seal for about an hour and then wipe it clean, and that should help kind of kill those mould spores that live in that little area,’ she says, sharing her simple solution.
As for the dryer, the lint tray should be cleaned after every use. Neglecting this can lead to a buildup of lint, which not only reduces the efficiency of your dryer but can also pose a fire hazard.
At YourLifeChoices, we understand that keeping up with these cleaning tasks can seem daunting, but incorporating them into your routine can have a significant impact on your health and safety.
Have you discovered any other household items that we are not cleaning enough? Share them with the community in the comments below.
Also read: Uncover the hidden dangers behind this common shower cleaning shortcut
