Your emotional support water bottle is your best friend. It goes everywhere with you and it’s there when you need it, but when was the last time you actually washed it?
Science has shown that consistently drinking water is the best thing for your body, and in the South Florida heat, it’s especially important to stay hydrated. However, it’s equally important to consistently clean your emotional support water bottle before it becomes a problem.
Ever since the viral “VSCO Girl” aesthetic of 2019, water bottles have been monetized and accessorized into what has now become a fashion statement.. Whether it’s a Hydroflask, a Stanley or an Owala, a girl’s water bottle is her lifeline. It’s used to express your likes, dislikes and interests. It’s a little piece of who you are.
Going to the store, picking out your favorite brand, choosing a color and adding stickers are just the few ways that a girl turns her water bottle into her best friend. If you’re an emotional support water bottle owner, then you know all the late night studying, mental breakdowns and stairmaster sessions it’s gotten you through.
According to a blog post by Owala, the emotional support water bottle “is a practical item that contributes to a healthy lifestyle” and can lead to several health benefits. By tracking how much water you drink, you’re making your body happy and healthy.
UC Davis Health states that water brings nutrients to your body, protects your joints, maintains body temperature and even improves your mental health.
So yes, keep carrying your Stanleys or Owalas with pride. But don’t forget to take care of the thing that’s taking care of you.
Nuvance Health recommends washing your water bottle daily, as this is the easiest way to prevent mold and bacteria. The longer you wait between washes, the more likely you are to start growing a forest underneath the mouthpiece.
You’re probably thinking to yourself, “well a little mold can’t be that bad” but it definitely is. The USDA states that certain molds can have mycotoxins, which are poisonous and can make you extremely sick.
Several other sources also agreed with Nuvance Health’s advice. Peloton even encouraged emotional support water bottle owners to wash them twice a day.
I know it sounds excessive — even I don’t wash my favorite Owala that often. However, if you wanna keep you and those around you happy (and healthy) please do us all a favor and start scrubbing those Stanleys.