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recent research has shown that reusable water bottles should be washed daily to avoid experiencing symptoms similar to food poisoning— especially if being filled with liquids other than just water. this has been confirmed from medical experts, nutritionists, universities, and other media sources.
our initial research shows that most reusable water bottle owners acknowledge that they are not cleaning their bottle as often as they should. our product aims to solve this pain point by providing an easy and on-the-go solution to promote our goals for sustainability, hygiene, and hydration.
our ongoing testing focuses on particulate removal and bacterial presence, using swabbing and culturing techniques to measure nami’s performance. results show that nami removes up to 97% of particulates and noticeably decreases mold growth after a single cleaning cycle.
nami can fit bottles ranging from 1.5"-3.5" in diameter, and up to 12" in height (most standard reusable bottles fit within this range). our alpha prototype can clean simple screw top lids even in the deepest threads, and future testing needs to be done on all types of lids available— including straws.
bacteria grow in reusable water bottles due to constant moisture, exposure to many environments, and infrequent cleaning. using bottles for sugary drinks leaves residues that serve as food for bacteria, and scratches or cracks inside the bottle or around the lid provide places for bacteria to hide and grow. biofilms can form on surfaces, making cleaning more difficult and increasing contamination risks.