I totally get the anxiety over whether you’re *really* cleaning things well enough. I used to obsess over every little part, especially after I got a weird taste from my water bottle once—it freaked me out. But honestly, being consistent with a simple routine seems to work just fine for most people. A good rinse and scrub with hot water and a bit of soap has kept mine from getting funky, even if I don’t take it apart every single time.
I do worry about hidden germs sometimes, but those cleaning tablets always felt like overkill unless there’s actual mold or something stubborn. And yeah, those silicone rings... they never go back quite right after too many washes. I’ve had to replace a couple because I stretched them out trying to clean every nook.
You’re not alone in being cautious—especially as we get older, it’s easy to worry about the “what ifs”—but it sounds like your method is working. Consistency really does seem to matter more than fancy products.