Have you ever wondered what’s that funky smell coming from your reusable water bottle after a while? Now you’re stuck with this persistent stench every time you take a sip, so you decide to give it a scrub a dub dub but no matter what you do the smell is still there. That nasty smell of bacteria that lingers makes your water taste terrible, but it can also be dangerous for your health. Continue reading to learn how to properly clean and care for your reusable water bottle so that it smells fresh every time.
Why does your reusable plastic or stainless steel water bottle smell bad?
Dark, moist area or something like the inside of your bottle makes the perfect breeding place for things like bacteria, mold and viruses. It is important to clean it every single day & put it to air dry after every wash. Another explanation for bad smell could also be residues from drinks like milk or soda which creates an unpleasant odor when exposed to air.
Will drinking from a smelly water bottle make you sick?
Reusable water bottle can make you sick if you’re not cleaning it properly. It may result in stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and other diseases due to bacteria.
How to get rid of the smell naturally?
- Soap and warm water is the oldest trick in the book, with regular cleaning it will prevent bacteria from growing. Simply fill your bottle with hot or warm water that has been mixed with dish soap, and let it soak for a few minutes. Discard the soapy water and scrub the bottom with a sponge while rinsing with running clean water. Straws can be difficult to be completely clean due to its small space which can be easily solved by changing it on the regular. That's why at Relax we also sell straw that you may purchase separately. Give it a good sniff, still there? Onto the next then.
- Baking soda is commonly used as a cleaning agent because it is a mild alkali which causes dirt and grease to dissolve easily in water for effective removal. Scoop 2 heap teaspoons of baking soda into your water bottle followed by warm water. Let it sit overnight for maximum effect then rinse thoroughly. Wash as usual to see if the smell has gone away.
- Pour boiling water over it. Stainless steel water bottles can be easily cleaned with boiling water as it gets rid of bacteria and smell. In order for boiling water to be most effective, the water must boil for at least 20 minutes until it reaches 100°C.
- White vinegar is used for the removal of metallic taste and smell of stainless steel water bottles by neutralizing the odors due to its properties. Fill your bottle with white vinegar, and let it soak for a few hours or overnight. Rinse with clean water afterwards. If the vinegar had left a smell, another overnight soak in hot water should get the vinegar smell out.
Can I still use it? My plastic water bottle is discolored & smelly
Tritan water bottle is as clear as glass so when it’s scratched or turns foggy, it is time to replace it with a new one. If you cannot remove the stain or the smell anymore, we recommend not to use that plastic water bottle again.
Alternatively, a water bottle that is easy to wash, does not get stained easily or retain much odor, a stainless steel water bottle would be your best friend. It can withstand the Malaysian heat and bacterial build-up as long as it’s cleaned properly.
