1 – Check all of your water bottles using a flashlight and the white glove test. You can use a white towel or Q-tip too. Check under the seal and where the straw inserts into the bottle. Which reminds me – check your straws too!

2 – If using stainless steel, then follow the directions of the manufacturer for cleaning. This often includes using vinegar and baking soda after every use and putting the lid in the dishwasher.

3 – Choose glass. That’s what I will be using for my family from now on. You can see what is inside and feel the smooth surface to know it is clean. You can use a glass bottle or go old school with a mason jar.

4 – Have you seen the UV caps? If you don’t want to give up your stainless steel check out the UV Caps. I haven’t tried them yet and they do require an initial investment that costs more than the water bottle. The cap uses UV light to sanitize the bottle and contents. It seems like a great alternative for people who are concerned.

5 – Leave your water bottle for water and choose containers that are easy to clean for some of those harder to clean beverages. Chia seeds are great in a smoothie for protein and Omega-3s, but they are super sticky.

Keep Your Water Bottles and Your Family Mold Free

Many of us would never think that something we use everyday, like our healthy water bottle, could be hiding something so unhealthy. My family was experiencing symptoms even though we practice healthy habits including drinking plenty of water. That’s when I put it together and did some digging. If you are experiencing symptoms that are unexplained, do some digging. Make sure mold isn’t hiding in your healthy water bottle or anywhere else. If it’s not that, then keep digging to get to the bottom of what is making you sick.