Keeping your water bottle clean is almost as important as staying hydrated. In most cases a quick rinse will do the trick, however, there are times when your bottle needs a little more than just dish soap and tap water. Here are 3 quick tips you can use right now to get rid of odors that may have caused you to fall out of love with your favorite water bottle.

What's Causing It?

Before we jump right in, let's make sure we understand what is causing those pesky odors, it will be a lot easier to deal with the issue once we know what we are up against. There are really only two things that can stink up your water bottle: beverages with a really strong aroma, or bacteria. Depending on what the source is, you will need a different approach to tackle the issue.

A Different Kind of Soda

Regardless of whether you are using a glass, stainless steel, or plastic bottle, getting rid of the smell of a beverage with an overpowering aroma, such as coffee, can be a challenge. Glass bottles are the least likely to absorb odors, this is one of the many reasons why we always recommend them. However, it doesn’t matter what kind of bottle you have, baking soda will most likely deliver results. First, clean your bottle using detergent and a bottle brush to remove any residue, then mix 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda with 2 cups hot water inside the bottle. Shake vigorously and let stand for 30 minutes. Rinse, and you are good to go. Since baking soda is abrasive avoid any brushing, especially with plastic bottles, as the tiny particles may scratch the inner surface of the bottle further promoting bacterial growth.

Kills 99.9 Percent of Germs

While many people find the smell of coffee preferable to the smell of bacteria, the truth is that getting rid of a smell caused by bacteria is harder than most people think: you need more than just scented dish soap and scrubbing. Only something that kills bacteria will help you eliminate the odor. Antibacterial wipes will do a great job. Bacteria likes to grow in little nooks and crevices, so this time concentrate on the intricate parts. Wipe the opening of the bottle clean making sure that you reach in between the threads. Do the same with the inside of the cap. Give it 30 seconds then rinse all parts thoroughly. Avoid using wipes that contain bleach.

What Does “Top Rack Dishwasher Safe” Mean Anyway?

Note that this will not work with plastic bottles, or stainless steel bottles with plastic parts. If you have a water bottle that is entirely plastic-free you can use your dishwasher to eliminate all odor-causing bacteria simply by utilizing the bottom rack. Plastic items usually have a caveat that they are only dishwasher-safe if you put them on the top rack. That’s because the bottom rack is close to the heating element which may melt, or at least deform, plastics during the drying cycle. Glass and silicone are heat resistant (up to 450F in case of most silicones), bacteria is fortunately not.

You may achieve similar results by boiling your disassembled glass bottle in a large pot of water. Make sure you bring the water to a boil with the parts already in it, otherwise sudden thermal shock may crack the glass. Again, exposing plastic parts to high heat is not recommended.

Bonus Tip: Let It Dry!

Bacteria and mold thrive on moisture, it keeps them alive and provides them with the perfect breeding ground. So to ensure defeat, make sure you let all parts dry completely before you reassemble your bottle. Pay special attention to the cap, gasket, straw, and any other component with an intricate design as these may take longer to dry. Use a drying-rack for good airflow.

Looking for a Bottle that Won’t Stink?

If you are looking for a water bottle that is easy to clean and does not retain odors then keep reading! The Meshbottle has a proprietary cap design that disassembles and turns inside out making it extremely easy to clean and keep sanitary. It is the world’s first plastic-free, truly glass water bottle made from only two materials: glass and silicone. Our bottles provide a great alternative for those who are trying to move away from plastics and plastic chemicals. Check out our featured bottles below.