Are water bottles with straws harder to keep clean?

Yes, straw lids have more nooks and crannies where bacteria and mold can hide. The straw interior, bite valve, and lid gaskets all need regular cleaning. Most straw lid bottles include a small cleaning brush or you can buy a straw brush set for a few dollars. We recommend disassembling the straw lid completely at least once a week for a thorough scrub. If the effort bothers you, choose a simple screw cap or flip lid design instead.