Whether from an environmental sustainability perspective or simply as a matter of convenience, reusable water bottles are quite common these days. The water bottle is so easy to fill and take with you wherever you go that you stay hydrated and refilled on the go. During the summer, we often fill our bottles with a variety of drinks—maybe even an iced tea or some vitamin-infused water. Sometimes, these drinks can leave a bad smell in reusable water bottles – through no fault of your own. Here’s what you need to know to properly clean your bottle and remove any foul odors from it.
Is it safe to drink water from stinky water bottles?
Drinking water from a smelly water bottle is not recommended. This is because foul smell indicates the presence of harmful bacteria inside the bottle. This can be caused by improper cleaning and human saliva which can cause bacteria to grow inside it. Recently, a group of researchers from a US company found that reusable water bottles can contain four times more bacteria than a computer mouse and 40,000 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.
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Water bottles can often have a foul smell which may take some time to go away. Photo: iStock
How To Clean Reusable Water Bottles Properly And Remove Bad Odors
Ideally, a reusable water bottle should be cleaned at least once every alternate day. If there is frequent foul smell, it can be removed by using some simple kitchen ingredients. Luckily, there are plenty of food items in our humble Indian kitchens that can prove to be effective as cleaning agents for stinky water bottles. These ingredients can be kept handy to remove bad odors from your water bottles.
Here’s how you can get the bad smell out of reusable water bottles:
1. Baking Soda
Soda bicarbonate or baking soda is one of the most effective cleaning agents in our kitchen. From tough stains to foul odors, it can eliminate them all with ease. Simply add a teaspoon of baking soda to your water bottle and fill it with water. Stir it well and let it soak overnight. Wash off properly and see the difference!
2. Vinegar
Believe it or not, strong-smelling vinegar can be a great antidote to the odor in your reusable bottle. Pour a small amount (no more than a capful) of it into your water bottle and dilute it with some water. Let the solution rest and wash it off. Your bottle will shine and smell like new.
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White vinegar can be an effective way to clean your reusable water bottles. Photo: iStock
3. Lemon juice
Like vinegar, lemon juice is also an acidic solution that can prove to be an effective cleaner. This is the reason why lemon is used as an ingredient in many detergents and cleaning solutions in the market. Simply squeeze some lemon juice and mix with some water to make a natural cleaning solution to remove bad odors. Alternatively, you can also use a lemon slice or orange peel.
4. Tea leaves
Did you know that the humble tea leaf can be used for much more than just making our favorite beverage? Use leftover tea leaves to clean grease and odors from your reusable water bottle. Tea leaves act as a natural astringent and cleansing agent and give great results every time. Simply put a tea bag in your water bottle and let it steep overnight. You will notice that the smell completely disappears!
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Did you know that tea leaves can also be a good cleansing agent? Photo: iStock
5. Soap and Water
If nothing else works, there’s always the classic combination of soap and water. This frothy solution will remove all excess bacteria and leave behind a clean and shiny bottle without any foul odour.
So, keep your bottles clean and reuse them without worrying about getting infected or harming your health.