Dealing with water bottle odor might make you regret going sustainable. Instead of tossing out reusable water bottles altogether, get to the bottom of why water bottles can start to stink and learn how to clean your smelly water bottle the right way.
How to Get Rid of Water Bottle Odor
Getting a strong whiff of your water bottle on your morning commute isn’t a great way to start your day. From leaving drinks overnight to not rinsing your water bottle after sipping on hot drinks, there are a ton of reasons your water bottle has a mysterious odor.
Take care of that stale stench with these simple methods.
Soak in a Water & Vinegar Solution
If you have a simple water bottle (not one with insulation or several layers where water can get trapped), you can soak your water bottle in a 1:1 water and vinegar solution. Leave it overnight, rinse, and wash with soapy water like normal.
You can also soak your water bottle overnight with a tablespoon or two of baking soda and a warm water mixture. Cap off, leave overnight, and rinse thoroughly before using again.
Soak in a Soapy & Water Solution
Soap and water are most people’s go-to cleaning solution since it’s non-irritating and easy to make. Fill your water bottle with warm water, add a few drops of dish soap, cap, and shake to agitate.
Leave it for a few hours or overnight and rinse thoroughly before your next use.
Deconstruct and Scrub All of the Water Bottle’s Parts
Fancy water bottles like Stanley Cups can have extra bells and whistles that can grow odor-causing bacteria. This happens when parts of the water bottle get wet and can’t fully dry. Think of stuff like the rubbery pieces in water bottle lids and built-in straws.
The only way to test if mold or other bacteria is growing is to take your water bottle apart completely. Consult the manufacturer if you’re unsure of how to take yours apart without breaking it.
Using small tools like straw and baby bottle brushes and a warm soapy mixture, scrub every piece you can. Thoroughly rinse and leave in an open-air space to fully dry. Make sure every piece is 100% dry before putting it back together. No point in going through the hassle if you’re just going to trap more bacteria inside.
(@cleanmyspace Unwashed water bottles are *disgusting*. PSA please wash them. . #fyp #trending #waterbottle #tumblersoftiktok #stanleycup #starbuckscup #CleanWaterBottle #HydrationHacks #BottleCleaningTips #HealthyHydration #WaterBottleCare #DirtyBottleProblems #CleanEcoFriendly #HygieneHabits #RefreshYourBottle #ReusableRevival #SustainableSips #CleanSipRepeat #EcoFriendlyLiving #GreenCleaning #StayHydrated #CleanBottleChallenge #HydrationStation #WaterBottleHealth #ReduceReuseRecycle #CleanLivingTips original sound - Cleaning expert | CleanMySpace
Related: How to Get Chemical Smell Out of Jeans: 5 Odor Busters
Leave Your Water Bottle in the Freezer
Odor-causing bacteria don’t like extreme temperatures and can’t survive in a frozen landscape. An easy way to kill a slight odor is by attacking the source. Leave your empty water bottle in your freezer for a few hours and it should clear the smell up.
Always check the manufacturer before freezing your water bottle. Some bottles — such as glass ones — may not withstand the freezing temperatures.
Boil Your Water Bottle
If your water bottle is boil-safe, you can always pop it into a pot full of boiling water. Severe cold isn’t the only extreme temperature that odor-causing bacteria don’t like.
Have glass water bottles? Protect them from smashing into each other or the pot’s sides with a canner rack.
4 Reasons Your Water Bottle Stinks
Don’t worry, you’re not the only one whose water bottle can smell funky. There are so many different smelly culprits, and these are some of the most common.
- You aren’t cleaning your water bottle often enough. If you regularly use your water bottle, then you should be washing it just as regularly.
- It’s made of a stink-clinging material. Some materials, like plastic, can absorb odors more than others.
- You aren’t cleaning it properly. Running a water bottle brush and soap through the inside won’t always get the job done.
- Your water bottle has sat for a long time. If you use a water bottle and leave it for a while before cleaning it again, nasty odor-causing bacteria can flourish.
5 Ways to Prevent a Smelly Water Bottle
Understanding how to get rid of the smells and what causes them are great things to know, but the best way to beat water bottle odor is by preventing it in the first place. Here are some of the best tried-and-true ways to stop your water bottle from smelling in the first place.
- Clean it after every use. Sure, this may sound like overkill, but the best way to ensure your water bottle never gets stinky is to remove the odor-causing bacteria altogether.
- Empty your water bottle before going to bed. A lot of bacteria can build up between bedtime and your morning alarm.
- Invest in odor-resistant materials. If you’ve got a plastic water bottle, it may be time to invest in stainless steel.
- Don’t leave your water bottle capped up. Leave the cap off of your water bottle when you’re not using it so it can fully air out.
- Store your water bottle in a dry area. Water bottles are already prone to molding because of the moisture, so make sure you’re not adding to it by storing yours in a dank and dark spot.
Fresh Smell = Fresh Taste
Just like how pain is often the last thing to manifest but the first thing you notice when something’s wrong with your body, water bottle odor is the last/first sign that you’ve got a bacteria problem. Thankfully, preventing water bottle stink is just as easy as clearing it up. So, start the morning off with a fresh smell, and you’ll enjoy a fresh taste all day long.
