this post was submitted on 05 Mar 2024
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Hydro Homies

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I have a one gallon bottle like a true homie, but the rubber stopper started developing these black spots and no matter how much i scrub it and soke it. Any suggestions how to clean it and anything I can do to prevent it from happening again?

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[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I can't answer your question, but this is an amazing abstract photo. Would you mind if I painted it?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Okokimup then proceeds to apply watercolor paint to his phone screen over the image of your water bottle

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago

Scraping plastic can cause micro abrasions that allow for mold and other micro organisms to thrive. These can also form from just wear and tear.

Probably the best thing to do is simply to replace the bottle or maybe the cap can be replaced.

This is one of the reasons I try to avoid plastic/acrylic in my water bottles. But if i cant avoid it I try to opt for polypropylene and then just avoid getting it hot.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (2 children)

What you've got there is black mold. I've never run into any that won't come off with hot water, soap, and scrubbing, but I've read in articles that vinegar works to help remove it. The best way to prevent it from happening again is simply to wash your bottle frequently and to let it air dry after washing it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Finally death /j, I clean the bottle regularly but it still developed, it's like it's in the stopper idk. I'll see if I can get vinegar and report back. Would you happen to know any food safe seals I could coat it with to possibly prevent this in the future.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

There's basically no way to prevent it, so the only effective measure is regular cleaning

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

If it's black mold soak it in a very light bleach mixture (2 teaspoons for a gallon of water) for an extended time. Like 24 hours, and keep it submerged. Afterwards clean it thoroughly with water, if that doesn't get the mold out I would replace it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Smells awesome when you kill mold with vinegar too. That's how you know it's working.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Switch to stainless steel. All plastic bottles slowly leech toxic materials into the water. Very quickly if you leave it in the heat by accident, too.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Bleach soak and then a thorough rinse. Also stop putting anything besides water in your water bottle. Sugars cause mold to form.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

All I drink is water, would never drink a gallon of anything else