Q&A for How to Clean a Moldy Water Bottle

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.

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.

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.

If the water bottle is inexpensive, I would just replace it. If you dont want to replace it, find out where the leak is. It depends on what water bottle you have. If you have a water bottle with just a plain screw on/off lid, the seal may be broken. If it is something like a Camelbak water bottle where you have to suck, a valve may have been put on crookedly/loosely.

Make a cone with plastic paper or with paper for pouring. For cleaning, use a bottle cleaning scrubber.

I use about 1/3 cup of playground sand. When done, rinse out the sand and let it dry.

Yes, usually. If it doesn't get it off the first time, you can also use an old toothbrush and a drop of dish soap to scrub inside the lid.

Yes, once the mold is gone and the bottle is disinfected, you can still use it. Try drying the bottle in the sunshine to kill any last mold.