As singers, we’re encouraged to keep hydrated by bringing a water bottle to rehearsals and workshops.
But did you know that harmful bacteria can easily build up on reusable water bottles? It’s important to clean them often, especially as warmer weather arrives. Here’s how.
I’ve written about hydration and singing before: Singing and hydration – myths and recommendations. We don’t need to drink excessively, but we do need to avoid dehydration.
To do that, simply drink when you’re thirsty! And don’t leave it until you’re actually singing: to stay properly hydrated you will need to drink sufficient amounts several hours beforehand.
Whenever you do drink your water, I hope you’re using a reusable bottle. Whether your bottle is plastic (convenient, but bad for your health and the planet) or metal (stainless steel is best), bacteria will build up in the water and around the top of the bottle over time. Even more so if you share your bottle with others.
Here’s a useful article on which are the healthiest materials for water bottles.
You must clean your bottle regularly to avoid the build-up of harmful bacteria.
Rinsing your bottle out with cold water isn't sufficient.
You should clean reusable bottles with hot water (over 60° C as this temperature kills most pathogens), and use washing-up liquid. Swirl it around, and leave the bottle for 10 minutes before rinsing well with hot water. Then, allow the bottle to air dry.
You can find out more in this BBC Future article.
Chris Rowbury
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