Is it safe to refill?
Most of us don’t think twice about refilling our water bottles all day long. Some even keep those bottles for weeks at a time. We wash them out with hot soapy water in hopes of keeping them clean. We feel greener by saving the plastic right? Well, The International Water Bottle Association says the bottles are not made to be reused and can not be washed in a dishwasher because the neck is so small, soap and water can not thoroughly clean it.
Once we drink the water out of the bottle it is no longer sterile. The water we refill them with is not sterile. You could possibly get sick from reusing a water bottle for extended periods of time. The symptoms are similar to having a bad case of food poisoning. Bacteria gets into the bottle from your mouth as you backwash. Back washing is common and hard to prevent. These germs could stay in the bottle even after washing with soap and water.
Best thing to do is just drink out of a glass when possible, since most bottled water is just tap water anyway. If you have to refill your water bottle clean it thoroughly and store the water in the refrigerator. Bacteria grows slower in the cold, so try not to keep your refilled bottles out in the heat.
water bottles, bacteria, refill bottles, Aquafina, water bottle making you sick
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