Road Bike Racing - black spots inside water bottles

I know this isn't directly racing related, but anyway...anyone get dark black spots inside bottles?
they're easy to clean with a brush and I've never heard of anyone getting sick from it but it looks ugly...

Dude, it's either fungus or algae. Better clean it up real well or get a new bottle.

I know this isn't directly racing related, but anyway...anyone get dark black spots inside bottles?
they're easy to clean with a brush and I've never heard of anyone getting sick from it but it looks ugly...

Ummm....mold?

Bleach & water, shake, rinse.

I run my bottles in the dishwasher. Kills all the bugs.

I run my bottles in the dishwasher. Kills all the bugs.
Tried that - it warped my bottle so I couldn’t screw the lid on anymore.

Dishwashers can get really hot. Make sure you use the gentle cycle for plastics.

yeah, I've had that science experiement when I left my bottles in my car. Dishwasher like said before or just soak your bottles in hot water and soap when you get in from a ride. Rinse, refill and "look ma, no mold." I've only warped clear bottles, anyone else?

I got the polar bottles, I put them on the bottom rack because they are tall but in the corners away from the heating elements. Haven't melted one yet. Wow, can't believe we are talking about doing dishes.....:(

I buy the six pack of sports bottles for $2.99 and toss them after a few rides.

Wow, can't believe we are talking about doing dishes.....:(

Meh, we had a butt-cream thread a few days ago.:rolleyes:

It's a strange sport.

I have the cheapie white plastic Performance brand bottles.

They have been through the dishwasher, high temp scour setting numerous times without incident.

the part that generally gets the hottest is the drying cycle. It also burns the most electricity, so I set it to air dry.

-D

I use the dishwasher and haven't had a problem yet, but I don't let them go through the heated dry cycle. The bleach idea is what I would do to get rid of the mold.

sounds like a fungii to me. Potentially , Not healthy. If I don't put them in a dishwasher, facing down; or else, I let them soak in soap. And be sure they have a chance to dry.

It's the drying cycle that warps the bottles.. Let it wash and rinse and then take the bottles out and they should be fine..

Or you could just buy a cheap bottle brush (which will last for ever) and use dishwashing soap as a cleanser. Rinse thoroughly and you're good to go.

^^^Yes.
Don't let the bottles sit for too long after each ride. This is what I do and I've never had any mold issues in the bottles.

Bleach & water, shake, rinse.
This is the best answer. Maybe even let it soak in the bleach/water solution. It wors every time.

I've had this problem, but interestingly, only when using Cytomax. I've never had this problem
with gatorade or accelerade. Anyone know why it is that the bugs seem to love Cytomax so much?

I've had this problem, but interestingly, only when using Cytomax. I've never had this problem
with gatorade or accelerade. Anyone know why it is that the bugs seem to love Cytomax so much?


I don't use Cytomax...does it have sugar in it? All manner of microscopic organisms relish a sugary treat. It seems to me, if a bottle is growing mold/mildew/fungus/crabs/syphillus/gonorrhea/etc., it has been left to sit too long without cleaning.

Cytomax contains some yeast extract. Loved by fungus. Any sugar drink will accelerate mold growth.

Wash or rinse out your bottles after every ride. As long as the bottle is dry, no mold will grow, store the bottles without the lids, and optimally store the empty bottle in the fridge.
If you have mold, brush the bottles clean with soap and then use a dilute (<5%) bleach solution to sterilize, then rinse out the bottles carefully.
Avoid dishwashers, they don't scrub inside the bottles very well and the heat of srying will just warp the plastic.

i'm having this problem as well. because i ride so early in the morning, i like to fill up my bottles before i go to bed (use half water, half gaterade). do you think leaving them full overnight is contributing to my problems?

Overnight's not a problem, especially if you throw them in the fridge. Takes several days with enough air and moisture to get the mould growing... Clean it out with a drop or two of bleach in 1/2 bottle of water and shake well once a week...

I've had this problem w/ leftover gatorade (even when it's cut w/ lots of water) in water bottles and camelback reservoirs. Throrough scrubbing for 2+ mins. w/ antibacterial soap should do the trick.

I put them in the dishwasher upside down but the spots remain. The heat probably kills anything
dangerous but residue is still there. I guess a bottle brush is the answer.

I've had this problem, but interestingly, only when using Cytomax. I've never had this problem
with gatorade or accelerade. Anyone know why it is that the bugs seem to love Cytomax so much?

Sounds Cytomax related to me too. Leave that stuff in a bottle for a day or two and it can get ugly.