Does mold/mould in a plastic tumbler leech into the plastic?

Question

I can't find info on this because all the stuff is about injection molds, and I want to find out for an argument if mold will leech into the plastic. The girlfriend seems to think that just hot water and a rinse will make it safe to drink from again. Others disagree.

Answer 1

No mould won't leech into plastic. Just rinse with Chlorine bleach solution and warm water to destroy mould and their spores.

Then rinse a few times with hot water before using tumbler.

Answer 2

Okay, mold will not leech itself into plastic.  It may pit it somewhat.  Plastic will not grow mold as it's not a cellulosic material.  Mold will leech itself into a food source.  What I mean about that is if there is dust, dirt, sugar (i.e. a drop of soda that had been in the tumbler, maybe missed when cleaning) on the tumbler, then the spores will feed off it.  Once it has "eaten" the dirt/dust/etc. off the plastic, it may start to pit.  Wash the tumbler in hot, soapy water extremely well, especially the area where you located the mold, and you should be okay.

Just FYI, bleach will NOT kill mold.  Clorox has spent tons of money into research to prove that it will, and they still cannot put it on their label, all they can claim is that bleach removes mold stains.  To effectively kill mold, you need a fungicide.