is your water bottle ?
05-19-08, 02:50 PM
#1
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is your water bottle ?
how dangerous do you folk reckon it is to keep useing the same bidons (water bottles) espesally when on tour ,i read somewhere that bacteria builds up if not cleaned out properly every day.im sure there's a lot of truth in this ,so if you get stomach ache or the runs while on tour this could be the reason.
05-19-08, 04:05 PM
#2
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I would assume now and again you should wash your bottle out, but I think chemicals are more of a concern.
Taken from https://trusted.md/blog/vreni_gurd/20..._water_bottles
Plastic water bottles are very convenient for carting water around when we are on the go, as they don't break if we drop them. However, it is worth paying attention to the type of plastic your water bottle is made of, to ensure that the chemicals in the plastic do not leach into the water. If you taste plastic, you are drinking it, so get yourself another bottle.
To be certain that you are choosing a bottle that does not leach, check the recycling symbol on your bottle. If it is a #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene), or a #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene), or a #5 PP (polypropylene), your bottle is fine. The type of plastic bottle in which water is usually sold is usually a #1, and is only recommended for one time use. Do not refill it. Better to use a reusable water bottle, and fill it with your own filtered water from home and keep these single-use bottles out of the landfill.
Unfortunately, those fabulous colourful hard plastic lexan bottles made with polycarbonate plastics and identified by the #7 recycling symbol, may leach BPA. Bisphenol A is a xenoestrogen, a known endocrine disruptor, meaning it disturbs the hormonal messaging in our bodies. Synthetic xenoestrogens are linked to breast cancer and uterine cancer in women, decreased testosterone levels in men, and are particularly devastating to babies and young children. BPA has even been linked to insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes. For more of the science on the effects of BPA on our endocrine system etc. see these studies: Environmental Health Perspectives Journal. Nalgene, the company that manufactures the lexan water bottles also makes #2 HDPE bottles in the same sizes and shapes, so we have a viable alternative. Order one at Nalgene.
Unfortunately, most plastic baby bottles and drinking cups are made with plastics containing Bisphenol A. In 2006 Europe banned all products made for children under age 3 containing BPA, and as of Dec. 2006 the city of San Franscisco followed suit. In March 2007 a billion-dollar class action suit was commenced against Gerber, Playtex, Evenflo, Avent, and Dr. Brown's in Los Angeles superior court for harm done to babies caused by drinking out of baby bottles and sippy cups containing BPA. So, to be certain that your baby is not exposed, use glass bottles.
Check the recycling numbers on all your plastic food containers as well, and gradually move to storing all food in glass or ceramic.
Store water in glass or brass if possible, and out of direct sunlight.
Plastic water bottles are very convenient for carting water around when we are on the go, as they don't break if we drop them. However, it is worth paying attention to the type of plastic your water bottle is made of, to ensure that the chemicals in the plastic do not leach into the water. If you taste plastic, you are drinking it, so get yourself another bottle.
To be certain that you are choosing a bottle that does not leach, check the recycling symbol on your bottle. If it is a #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene), or a #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene), or a #5 PP (polypropylene), your bottle is fine. The type of plastic bottle in which water is usually sold is usually a #1, and is only recommended for one time use. Do not refill it. Better to use a reusable water bottle, and fill it with your own filtered water from home and keep these single-use bottles out of the landfill.
Unfortunately, those fabulous colourful hard plastic lexan bottles made with polycarbonate plastics and identified by the #7 recycling symbol, may leach BPA. Bisphenol A is a xenoestrogen, a known endocrine disruptor, meaning it disturbs the hormonal messaging in our bodies. Synthetic xenoestrogens are linked to breast cancer and uterine cancer in women, decreased testosterone levels in men, and are particularly devastating to babies and young children. BPA has even been linked to insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes. For more of the science on the effects of BPA on our endocrine system etc. see these studies: Environmental Health Perspectives Journal. Nalgene, the company that manufactures the lexan water bottles also makes #2 HDPE bottles in the same sizes and shapes, so we have a viable alternative. Order one at Nalgene.
Unfortunately, most plastic baby bottles and drinking cups are made with plastics containing Bisphenol A. In 2006 Europe banned all products made for children under age 3 containing BPA, and as of Dec. 2006 the city of San Franscisco followed suit. In March 2007 a billion-dollar class action suit was commenced against Gerber, Playtex, Evenflo, Avent, and Dr. Brown's in Los Angeles superior court for harm done to babies caused by drinking out of baby bottles and sippy cups containing BPA. So, to be certain that your baby is not exposed, use glass bottles.
Check the recycling numbers on all your plastic food containers as well, and gradually move to storing all food in glass or ceramic.
Store water in glass or brass if possible, and out of direct sunlight.
05-19-08, 04:25 PM
#3
Senior Member
how dangerous do you folk reckon it is to keep useing the same bidons (water bottles) espesally when on tour ,i read somewhere that bacteria builds up if not cleaned out properly every day.im sure there's a lot of truth in this ,so if you get stomach ache or the runs while on tour this could be the reason.
I am not aware of ever being sick from this lack of cleanliness. In fact I find that I am generally very seldom sick for any reason. My germ nut friends and co-workers seem to be sick all the time. Maybe my disgusting to some habits help me build up a resistance, maybe I am just lucky.
05-19-08, 05:12 PM
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Rinse them out on a daily basis, and give them a wash with a bit of bleach one in a while, and you'll be fine.
Incidentally, I believe you can delete your own double post.
Incidentally, I believe you can delete your own double post.
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05-19-08, 07:53 PM
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I wouldn't lose any sleep about it. The frickin media and medical community would have you doing some serious hand wringing about this sort of stuff but hell, you'll probably get more germs eating a burrito with your hands at a taco bell.
Just wash them out with hot soapy water when you can and keep on trucking.
Just wash them out with hot soapy water when you can and keep on trucking.
05-19-08, 10:06 PM
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Snopes debunks the myth that "disposable" water bottles are safe only for one-time use. By the way, ultralight backpackers use such water bottles both for water and for their alcohol stoves (just put some red tape on that one).
05-19-08, 11:27 PM
#9
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You should at least look inside it occasionally. This would really suck.
Originally Posted by Stan Nelson
I was sick for 3 days but finally recovered. I kept to myself and thankfully, no one in the hostel got sick. When I left, I decided to clean out my camel back. As you can see it was green with mold or some other nasty growth....no wonder I got sick.
05-20-08, 05:35 AM
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It all depends on what kind of tour you are considering. If you are going to be gone for only a few days, what is the big deal? If you are going to be gone for a year, then you need to figure out how you are going to clean your water bottles regularly.
Seriously, if you just rinse the bottles out once in awhile and clean the road grime off of the outside you should have no problems. I usually rinse my water bottles out each day and leave them open overnight to dry out. Works for me for a couple of months at least.
Seriously, if you just rinse the bottles out once in awhile and clean the road grime off of the outside you should have no problems. I usually rinse my water bottles out each day and leave them open overnight to dry out. Works for me for a couple of months at least.
05-20-08, 05:44 AM
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That's one of the reasons I only use water in my Camelbak -no sugar drinks, soda, fruit juice milk, etc. Aside from on tour when I just flush it with water, it gets a thorough washing out with a mild detergent and hot water.
But that photo is very offputting!
But that photo is very offputting!
05-20-08, 05:54 AM
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ant,
Just rinse out your water bottles every few days and you should be fine. On tour I find that the outside of the bottles gets pretty gross so I clean that stuff off pretty often as well. Normally, I don't even use soap, just clean water. I like to rinse them out each evening and leave them open to dry out over night.
Just rinse out your water bottles every few days and you should be fine. On tour I find that the outside of the bottles gets pretty gross so I clean that stuff off pretty often as well. Normally, I don't even use soap, just clean water. I like to rinse them out each evening and leave them open to dry out over night.
05-20-08, 06:22 AM
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+1 on lighthorse's advice.
You can delete your own post, but you cannot delete a double thread you started. But it's all fixed now.
--J, a Forum Mod
You can delete your own post, but you cannot delete a double thread you started. But it's all fixed now.
--J, a Forum Mod
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05-20-08, 06:57 AM
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Geeze, I can't remember the last time I washed out my bottles and I've used them for almost two decades. They do go dry every week or so so all the nasties usually die off.
05-20-08, 07:06 AM
#15
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Interestingly enough I have friends who are absolutely over the top about avoiding germs. They use hand sanitizer constantly and obsess over cleaning anything they may touch. Guess what, they seem to be sick all the time.
Given that I will continue to take my chances.
05-20-08, 07:52 AM
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I rinse mine out thoroughly once a day (when I have access to water.) That usually works for a few weeks. At home I put them in the dishwasher every couple of months. If I'm on tour for several weeks I'll put some soap in them and shake them vigorously a few times, let the soapy water sit, shake them a few more times, then rinse them thoroughly. If there still appears to be crud on the bottom I'll get a soapy sponge and a long stick. Use the stick to push the sponge hard into the bottom of the bottle and scrub it out. Then more rinsing.
05-20-08, 08:01 AM
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I too am also a firm believer in the idea that one must be exposed to germs every so often to build resistance. The immune system is like a muscle. It can become weak in our overly sterile environment.
That said, I do not enjoy growing moldy science projects in my bottles. While on tour I use my stainless steel bottles and an immersion heater to boil water for morning tea, thereby killing the growth.
That said, I do not enjoy growing moldy science projects in my bottles. While on tour I use my stainless steel bottles and an immersion heater to boil water for morning tea, thereby killing the growth.
05-20-08, 09:40 AM
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Hi,
never thought about that. I use my bottles since 1997 and I cleaned them once or twice in 11 years.
But I fill only water in water bottles.
Thomas
never thought about that. I use my bottles since 1997 and I cleaned them once or twice in 11 years.
But I fill only water in water bottles.
Thomas
05-20-08, 09:41 AM
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I too am also a firm believer in the idea that one must be exposed to germs every so often to build resistance. The immune system is like a muscle. It can become weak in our overly sterile environment.
That said, I do not enjoy growing moldy science projects in my bottles. While on tour I use my stainless steel bottles and an immersion heater to boil water for morning tea, thereby killing the growth.
That said, I do not enjoy growing moldy science projects in my bottles. While on tour I use my stainless steel bottles and an immersion heater to boil water for morning tea, thereby killing the growth.
How do you keep your stainless bottles from rattling?
05-20-08, 11:53 AM
#20
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sorry about the double post and sorry staehpi1 i wasen't having a go at you honestly ,i also just rinse my bidons out it's just that i was on a charity ride and i was feeling ill and some guy said its proberly to do with your bidon's that if they were not cleaned out properly well it got me thinking,
05-20-08, 12:39 PM
#21
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sorry about the double post and sorry staehpi1 i wasen't having a go at you honestly ,i also just rinse my bidons out it's just that i was on a charity ride and i was feeling ill and some guy said its proberly to do with your bidon's that if they were not cleaned out properly well it got me thinking,
05-20-08, 12:49 PM
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Yes, they rattle. Also, they are a bit more difficult to get out of the bottle holder when on the move. You can't squeeze them like a plastic bottle to force the liquid out. And the big one has a tendency to jar out of the holder when the road is really rough. When off road I use a rubber band to keep it in place.
05-20-08, 12:53 PM
#23
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Yes, they rattle. Also, they are a bit more difficult to get out of the bottle holder when on the move. You can't squeeze them like a plastic bottle to force the liquid out. And the big one has a tendency to jar out of the holder when the road is really rough. When off road I use a rubber band to keep it in place.
05-20-08, 03:46 PM
#24
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I learned a trick from my roommate who was in the korean army. He says that you should just put a dab of toothpaste in your bottle, shake it around, and rinse. The toothpaste should kill anything and leave a nice fresh scent, although you should rinse thoroughly. Using this method i have never had a problem with mold.
Great trick for backpacking or touring.
Great trick for backpacking or touring.