How to Get Rid of Mold in a Water Bottle

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Eliminate mold in your water bottle and mouthpiece with vinegar, bleach, or baking soda
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Reusable water bottles are great for the environment and your wallet, but they can easily grow mold if you don’t wash them enough. Luckily, there are several easy methods you can use to clean and sanitize a moldy water bottle, and we’ll cover them all. We’ll also go over the potential health risks of drinking from a moldy water bottle, and how to prevent mold from building up in your bottle. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

Getting Rid of Water Bottle Mold: Quick Steps

Fill a large bowl with equal parts white vinegar and water. Place the water bottle and any detachable elements into the bowl so they're fully submerged. Allow everything to soak for at least 30 minutes.

Section 1 of 5:

Cleaning a Moldy Water Bottle with Vinegar

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  1. 1
    Soak your water bottle in equal parts water and white vinegar. White vinegar is an all-natural and cost-efficient option, and studies have shown that it’s effective at killing mold spores. [1] Simply fill a large bowl with equal parts white vinegar and water, and submerge your water bottle in the solution. [2]
    • If your bottle has any detachable parts (straws, lids, rubber components, etc), make sure to take them apart and place them in the vinegar solution as well.
    • Alternatively, you can fill your water bottle with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar, shake it up, then leave it to soak. [3]
      • However, if you see mold growing on the rim or the outside of the bottle, it’s best to submerge the whole thing in a bowl of the vinegar solution to make sure you get rid of it all.
  2. 2
    Allow your bottle to soak in the vinegar solution for at least 30 minutes. This gives the vinegar time to work its magic and blast away the mold. For an extra deep clean, you can even let the bottle soak overnight, explains cleaning expert Jonathan Tavarez.
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  3. 3
    Wash the bottle with soap and warm water to remove the vinegar. When your bottle is done soaking, thoroughly wash it out with warm water and dish soap. And that’s it! Your water bottle should now be mold-free and ready to use again. [4]
    • If the bottle is dishwasher safe, you can run it through the dishwasher instead of handwashing if you prefer.
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Section 2 of 5:

Cleaning a Moldy Water Bottle with Bleach

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  1. 1
    Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of bleach and 1 tsp (6 g) of baking soda to your bottle. Fill the water bottle up the rest of the way with cool tap water, and give it a gentle shake. [5]
  2. 2
    Allow the bleach solution to sit in the water bottle overnight. This gives the bleach and baking soda enough time to get rid of all the mold. [6]
  3. 3
    In the morning, pour out the bleach solution. If the water bottle has a lid with a nozzle on it, pour the solution out through the nozzle. This helps ensure that the inside of the nozzle gets cleaned, too. Otherwise, unscrew the lid and pour the solution out through the opening of the bottle. [7]
  4. 4
    Allow the bottle to air dry on a drying rack. Once it’s completely dry, rinse one more time before using. [8]
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Section 3 of 5:

Cleaning a Moldy Water Bottle with Baking Soda

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    If the mold is hard or dried on, you might even want to fill the bottle with hot water and a little bit of dish soap and let it sit for about 20 minutes to loosen it up.
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    The rice will remove any dried on particles while the baking soda will disinfect and remove odor. [9]
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    This soapy mixture will start to fizz up, which will help dislodge the mold from the bottle.
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    If your bottle has a flip-top or pop up top, make sure to hold it closed!
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    You will have the same reaction as if you had just shaken a bottle of soda, so be careful to prevent an explosive mess.
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    Once the bottle is thoroughly rinsed out, stand it upside down on a dish rack to let it dry, then give it another rinse before putting it away. [10]
    • Wash the lid of the water bottle with dish soap and warm water, and place it on the drying rack with the bottle to dry as well.
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Section 4 of 5:

Preventing Mold Buildup in Water Bottles

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  1. 1
    Clean your water bottle with dish soap and water daily. Daily cleaning with soap and water is often enough to keep mold and bacteria from growing in your bottle. [11] If your water bottle is dishwasher-safe, you can simply run it through the dishwasher each night to clean it. If it's not dishwasher safe, here’s how to wash it by hand:
    • Fill the water bottle up with very hot water.
    • Put the lid on the bottle and shake it up thoroughly.
    • Pour out half of the water and add a pea-sized amount of dish soap.
    • Put the lid back on the bottle and shake it up again. Or, for an extra deep clean, use a bottle brush to scrub the inside before sealing it and shaking it up.
    • Pour the soapy water out of the bottle. If the bottle has a lid with a nozzle, leave it on and pour the water out through the nozzle so it gets cleaned too.
    • Rinse the bottle and cap thoroughly until there is no more soapy residue. Let the bottle air dry, and that’s it!
  2. 2
    Deep clean your water bottle once a week. Even with daily cleanings, there’s a chance some mold or bacteria will linger in your water bottle. Deep clean the bottle once per week with one of the above listed methods (vinegar solution, bleach solution, baking soda) to make sure it stays safe and hygienic. [12]
    • You can also purchase sanitizing tablets that are specifically formulated for cleaning water bottles if you prefer.
    • To use these tablets, you’ll typically need to fill your bottle with warm water, drop in the tablet, then let it soak for 15-30 minutes before rinsing. [13]
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Section 5 of 5:

FAQs about Mold and Water Bottles

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  1. 1
    What is mold? Molds are microscopic fungi that can grow on foods or surfaces (like your water bottle). They can be various colors, including green, grey, black, or white, and they often appear furry or fuzzy when they grow on objects. [14]
  2. 2
    Why does mold grow in reusable water bottles? Molds are found in all environments, but they grow especially well in warm and humid conditions. [15] As a result, the damp environment of your reusable water bottle on a hot day makes the perfect breeding ground for mold growth.
  3. 3
    Can a moldy water bottle be harmful to your health? Many molds are harmless, but others can cause allergic reactions and respiratory symptoms. [16] Regardless, a small amount of mold will likely not affect a healthy person negatively. If you accidentally drank out of a water bottle before noticing mold on it, monitor yourself for the rest of the day. If you don’t develop any concerning symptoms, you’re most likely in the clear. [17]
    • If you do develop any shortness of breath, nausea, fever, or diarrhea, seek out medical attention right away. [18]
    • If you’re immunocompromised, it’s more important to avoid mold, since you may be more likely to experience negative effects from it. [19]
    • The bottom line? If you notice mold on your water bottle, stop drinking out of it and deep clean it as soon as possible. Chances are that a small amount of mold won’t affect you negatively, but it’s still best to avoid ingesting it.
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  • Question
    Is mold in a water bottle dangerous?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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    Most of the time, drinking a little mold won’t hurt you—although it might taste gross. However, if you have a weakened immune system, there’s a chance it could make you really sick. Some people also have allergic reactions to certain types of mold.
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    Can stainless steel water bottles get mold?
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    Stainless steel is mold resistant, but not totally mold-proof. If food residue, dirt, or mineral deposits build up inside the bottle, mold can grow on the dirty surface. So, to prevent mold completely, you’ll still need to clean your bottle regularly.
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    Does vinegar kill mold?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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    Yes, vinegar can kill many species of mold. Pour equal parts water and white vinegar into your bottle and let it sit overnight. The next day, scrub your bottle thoroughly with soap and hot water. Rinse it thoroughly to get out any lingering vinegar taste.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/at-home/how-to-clean-the-mold-and-funk-out-of-water-bottles-and-straws
      2. ↑ https://doh.health.tas.gov.au/healthykids/blog/how_to_clean_water_bottles
      3. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/the-repulsive-situation-in-your-reusable-water-bottle-lid-7553197
      4. ↑ https://doh.health.tas.gov.au/healthykids/blog/how_to_clean_water_bottles
      5. ↑ ​​ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/kitchen-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-water-bottle-and-disinfect.html
      6. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/how-to-clean-water-bottle
      7. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/kitchen-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-water-bottle-and-disinfect.html
      8. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/kitchen-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-water-bottle-and-disinfect.html
      9. ↑ https://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/at-home/how-to-clean-the-mold-and-funk-out-of-water-bottles-and-straws
      1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-a-reusable-water-bottle-255854
      2. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/kitchen-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-water-bottle-and-disinfect.html
      3. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/how-to-clean-water-bottle
      4. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/kitchen-cleaning/how-to-clean-a-water-bottle-and-disinfect.htm
      5. ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/molds-food-are-they-dangerous
      6. ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/molds-food-are-they-dangerous
      7. ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/molds-food-are-they-dangerous
      8. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-if-you-eat-moldy-food
      9. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-if-you-eat-moldy-food
      10. ↑ https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2024/reusable-water-bottle-mold-sickness.html
      11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-qzAPqYZVg

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