A father has issued a caution to parents about a ‘hidden risk’ present in children’s water bottles following a troubling revelation. Recently, in a TikTok video, Jason Sullivon shared his experience of regularly switching out his daughter’s reusable bottles each day but found it challenging to thoroughly clean them due to their non-detachable parts. Upon contacting the manufacturer, Yeti, regarding the issue, he was advised to boil the bottles in hot water for five to ten minutes.
After following this advice, he was shocked to uncover a buildup of black mold around the rubber seal. He advised, “I reached out to Yeti to inquire about proper cleaning methods, as the bottles are not meant to be disassembled. This is the outcome after cleaning them.” For those using similar bottles, especially for kids, he emphasized the importance of regular inspections for hidden residue or contamination.
The video has garnered over 130,000 likes on TikTok, with numerous users sharing their own encounters with mold in their water bottles in the comments section. While some expressed frustration about the difficulty of cleaning such bottles, others reported minimal mold accumulation even after years of use and regular cleaning routines.
According to UK consumer watchdog Which?, parents can prevent mold buildup in children’s water bottles by strategically placing them in the dishwasher or hand washing them with very hot water and washing-up gloves, disassembling as many components as possible for a thorough cleanse. Additional methods include utilizing a bottle cleaning kit with pipe cleaners or a sterilizing solution, while always adhering to the manufacturer’s washing instructions.