How to Get Rid of Mold in a Water Bottle

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

Download Article

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]
X
Research source} Simply fill a large bowl with equal parts white vinegar and water, and submerge your water bottle in the solution. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
- 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.
  - 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.
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.

Advertisement
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. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If the bottle is dishwasher safe, you can run it through the dishwasher instead of handwashing if you prefer.

Section 2 of 5:

Cleaning a Moldy Water Bottle with Bleach

Download Article

Regular household bleach is effective at killing mold. ^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} To harness bleach’s mold-killing powers, simply add ¹ ⁄ ₂ teaspoon (2.5 ml) bleach to your water bottle, fill it up the rest of the way with cool tap water, and give it a gentle shake. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
This gives the bleach solution enough time to get rid of all the mold.
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. ^{[6]
X
Research source}
Once it’s completely dry, rinse one more time before using. ^{[7]
X
Research source}

Section 3 of 5:

Cleaning a Moldy Water Bottle with Baking Soda

Download Article

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.
The rice will remove any dried on particles while the baking soda will disinfect and remove odor. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
This soapy mixture will start to fizz up, which will help dislodge the mold from the bottle.
If your bottle has a flip-top or pop up top, make sure to hold it closed!
You will have the same reaction as if you had just shaken a bottle of soda, so be careful to prevent an explosive mess.
6
Pour out the contents and rinse the bottle well. 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. ^{[9]
X
Research source}
- 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.

Section 4 of 5:

Preventing Mold Buildup in Water Bottles

Download Article

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. ^{[10]
X
Research source} 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
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. ^{[11]
X
Research source}
- 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.

Section 5 of 5:

FAQs about Mold and Water Bottles

Download Article

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. ^{[12]
X
Trustworthy Source
Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA
Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Go to source}
Molds are found in all environments, but they grow especially well in warm and humid conditions. ^{[13]
X
Trustworthy Source
Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA
Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Go to source} As a result, the damp environment of your reusable water bottle on a hot day makes the perfect breeding ground for mold growth.
3
Can a moldy water bottle be harmful to your health? Many molds are harmless, but others can cause allergic reactions and respiratory symptoms. ^{[14]
X
Trustworthy Source
Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA
Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Go to source} 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. ^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- If you do develop any shortness of breath, nausea, fever, or diarrhea, seek out medical attention right away. ^{[16]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- If you’re immunocompromised, it’s more important to avoid mold, since you may be more likely to experience negative effects from it. ^{[17]
  X
  Research source}
- 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.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Is mold in a water bottle dangerous?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 5
Question

Can stainless steel water bottles get mold?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 6
Question

Does vinegar kill mold?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Never store water bottles with the cover on. If there is any moisture left inside when you cover it, it can grow mold.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

Trustworthy Source

Go to source

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

Log in

How to Get Rid of Mold in a Water Bottle

Getting Rid of Water Bottle Mold: Quick Steps

Steps

Cleaning a Moldy Water Bottle with Vinegar

Cleaning a Moldy Water Bottle with Bleach

Cleaning a Moldy Water Bottle with Baking Soda

Preventing Mold Buildup in Water Bottles

FAQs about Mold and Water Bottles

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories