Essential water bottle cleaning

As we venture out on our bikes, one essential accessory in a cyclist’s arsenal should never be forgotten: the water bottle! But have you ever been surprised by the taste of its contents? Have you ever been assailed by a foul odor when opening your “gourd” to fill it or empty it into the sink? And let’s not forget the lingering plastic taste. Just like plastic water bottles, does a bike bottle have a lifespan? That’s the subject of our article… we’ll shed some light on it!

A few years ago, on 3bikes, we discussed the topic of different types of water consumed and consumable. When? Where? Which one? Why? How? For whom? To fully enjoy our favorite activity, it’s essential to invest in a liquid reserve to stay hydrated regularly throughout your ride. However, beyond the quality of the content, this time, we’re focusing on the quality of the container in this article.

The container serving the content

What’s the point of having a bottle filled with quality water or drink if the bottle itself is contaminated with bacteria? Sometimes, observing the contents of some cyclists’ bottles can be truly frightening. In some cases, you might even find something to eat in there. The result can be disastrous. A study by Treadmill Reviews revealed that over 300,000 units of bacteria per square centimeter were present inside a dozen tested sports bottles.

Water bottles are put through a lot, especially on the outside, even if it’s just aesthetic.

What are the risks?

Although more disgusted than fearful, I still decided to look into the subject of common bacteriology. I even consulted Dr. Véronique Menichetti, an expert in veterinary microbiology. I wanted to know the level of bacterial contamination on different surfaces, objects, liquids, and what the acceptable tolerance limit for our organism was. However, it’s clear that this requires real expertise, as bacteria are ubiquitous. It therefore requires certain discernment. While the goal is not to spread panic, it’s worth remembering that not so long ago, our ancestors often died from bacterial contamination. However, this notion now belongs to the past. Bacteria are the simplest and most widespread organisms on Earth. By far, they are the most abundant life form. And above all, they are not viruses…

Bacteria are not viruses

Do you remember the cartoon Once Upon a Time… Life? As explained in these scenarios for children, as a general rule, bacteria are a thousand times smaller than a millimeter, while viruses are even smaller. Bacteria spread by dividing into two identical copies, then two more, and so on. Viruses, on the other hand, cannot reproduce by dividing. To multiply, they must penetrate a host cell. But above all, all viruses cause diseases such as plague, cholera, typhus, malaria, etc. Thus, you can fear a bacterium less than a virus… Overall, in the world of bacteria, these organisms are far more beneficial than harmful. They actively participate in our biological balance.

Among pros, water bottles are changed very regularly to prevent riders from getting sick.

A little cleanliness anyway!

It is essential to clean your equipment thoroughly. Not only to remove dirt, but also to eliminate bad odors. Remember that the bottle is plastic, not glass.

Besides the fact that the extraction of petroleum used to make water bottles is extremely polluting (but that’s not the topic…), plastic ages quickly and is often difficult to recycle. Even if it can be recycled, it’s only a few times, unlike glass or steel, which can be recycled indefinitely. Moreover, incinerating or burying plastic as waste also pollutes enormously.

So, wash your water bottles!

If we agree that most of the time, bacteria are not deadly and also contribute to the balance of our ecosystem, and that simultaneously we must reduce our use of plastic, although it is difficult to imagine making our water bottles with another material for now, it is therefore necessary to invest in a sponge and a cloth. Maintaining the exterior walls of your water bottle is quite simple.

You can clean your water bottle, for example, with a cloth on the outside or by using hot water and soap. But above all, don’t forget to maintain the inside! Once you return from your ride, immediately empty any remaining contents into the sink. Shocks, falls, or bottle tosses can also lead to residues inside. So rinse your bottle several times with hot water and let it dry thoroughly. Do this regularly! If you have left energy, stimulating, or protein drinks to stagnate for too long, it is very likely that you will find black spots inside your bottle. In this case, you will need to intensify the cleaning and scrub vigorously.

In conclusion

Remember that your water bottle is plastic. So, dear cycling friends, if you want to continue enjoying our beautiful roads in France and elsewhere for a long time, for ecological reasons, it is preferable to extend the lifespan of this object as much as possible. So take care of your water bottles and wash them as systematically as you use them, before and after each ride. As far as I have been able to ascertain, under these conditions, there is no risk of infection or contamination. As for the lifespan of this indispensable accessory, it is mainly its watertightness that gives the best indication of its obsolescence.

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