Here’s What Happens When You Don’t Scrub The Inside Of A Water Bottle

For years, I didn't drink a whole lot of water.

A couple of years ago, I started to focus on my overall health and like everything else years later than I should, I discovered water IS very necessary.

So I ditched the energy drinks and diet sodas and replaced it all with water. One of my biggest issues with water was finding the perfect water bottle. I bought a bunch but finally found one I love. It's a Contigo water bottle from a place like Walmart or Target. It cost me like $15-20, nothing too fancy.

For the past year or so, I have carried this water bottle with me nearly everywhere I've gone.

Work trips? Brought the bottle. Family vacations? Yep, brought the bottle there too.

I needed the water and that water bottle was perfect, well, until last night.

Occasionally, I like to add a bit of flavor to my water bottle, so I throw in a packet of True Lemon.

So last night as I'm finishing off a water with a packet of the stuff, I nearly swallowed a gelatinous circle of what must've been a base of powder formed at the bottom of the bottle.

It was so gross, I spit it into the sink and was immediately freaked out. That's when I decided to take a closer look at the inside of the bottle. It was black. Like coated black, everywhere. Yikes!

Before you call me out for not cleaning the bottle, I do and I do daily. However, the inside of the bottle and the bottom especially is really tough to get at.

So today, I'm buying a wire brush I can use to get to the bottom of the bottle to make sure it's clean.

It's a miracle, I didn't get sick, but I'm here to tell the tale, so be sure to clean the hard to reach places of your reusable water bottles.

Moral of the story? Rinsing out a water bottle with soap and water won't do the trick.

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Sweet Lenny is the brand manager of 97ZOK, Q98.5, and Operations Manager for Townsquare Media Rockford. Catch him afternoons 3 to 7 on 97ZOK. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and like his page on Facebook.