Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Expert Warns Reusable Water Bottles Harbor Hidden Germs
Many kids take water bottles to school so they can drink water during the day.
These bottles are good for the planet because they are better than throwing away plastic ones after just one use.
But there is a part many people forget about: how clean the bottle really is.
A scientist named Brian Hammer from the Georgia Institute of Technology studies these things.
He says that germs like bacteria, viruses and fungi can live in reusable water bottles.
These germs show up when bottles are not washed the right way.
That means a bottle can look clean but still have tiny germs inside.
Cleaning the bottle properly can help keep it safe.
So even if your bottle looks just fine, it may still need a good wash.
Remembering to clean it often is a smart way to stay healthy.
Brian Hammer, an associate professor in biological sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology, says reusable water bottles can accumulate bacteria, viruses and fungi if not cleaned properly.
Reusable water bottles are widely used as an everyday essential, especially by children heading back to school.
Water bottles are considered better for the environment than single-use plastic bottles.
A commonly overlooked part of reusable bottles is how clean the bottle actually is.
The build-up of germs occurs when bottles are not cleaned properly, according to the expert.
- Who
- Brian Hammer, an associate professor in biological sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology
- What
- An expert warning that reusable water bottles can accumulate bacteria, viruses and fungi if not cleaned properly
- When
- Not specified in the articles
- Where
- Not explicitly specified; the expert is based at the Georgia Institute of Technology
- Why
- Reusable water bottles may still be full of germs despite appearing clean, because improper cleaning allows bacteria, viruses and fungi to build up
- Expert Name
- Brian Hammer
- Expert Role
- Associate professor in biological sciences
- Institution
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Risk
- Build-up of bacteria, viruses and fungi in reusable water bottles
- Cause
- Bottles not cleaned properly
- Context
- Children heading back to school commonly use reusable water bottles
- Environmental Benefit
- Better for the environment than single-use plastic bottles