Fifty Plus (50+) - Smelly water bottles

I've been trying to use more than one water bottle and I've found that my less used ones, which were sitting in a cupboard, are smelly, and remain smelly even after a cycle through the dishwasher. Should I just pitch 'em and start a new collection, or is there something I can put in the dishwasher (or sink) that would take away the dingy smell?

You could try the cleaning tablets that hydration systems manufacturers like Camelbak make or try a very diluted bleach mixture before storing.

I've been trying to use more than one water bottle and I've found that my less used ones, which were sitting in a cupboard, are smelly, and remain smelly even after a cycle through the dishwasher. Should I just pitch 'em and start a new collection, or is there something I can put in the dishwasher (or sink) that would take away the dingy smell?

I use baby bottle sterilizing tablets and mainly in the camelback. Bottles do not cause a problem after a hot wash in the dishwasher- except they smell and taste plasticky. Can never put just water in them as it takes the taste of the bottle, so always put a bit of Squash in to disguise the taste, or full strength energy drink.

Gary,

If they were mine, I'd pitch them. However, I have about 20 freebees from various centruy rides, etc. You may try mixing a thin paste of baking soda (good ol' Arm 'n Hammer) and placing it inside the bottle, leaving it over night or longer. That can often freshin things up. Let us know if this works. We have used it on Tupperware stuff, and it generally works. OHB

I'll second the baking soda. A solution of lemon juice overnight also freshens them for me. I haven't tasted that strong "plasticky" smell/taste in years...I'd assumed "better" bottles are being made of more inert plastic than the promotional give-aways.

Plastic is to some extent slightly porous and can adsorb organic particles quite easily. These particles can be difficult to remove entirely and will rot in time where there is moisture present.

Here's what I do......

after every ride I wash out the bottle thoroughly with a little detergent added

rinse several times with water

place upside down to drain

leave it out to dry on the kitchen bench with the cap off for at least 24 hours

store in cupboard with the cap off till needed

A bottle that has been allowed to become smelly may be too difficult to rid of the smell and may be best to start with new ones.

My bottles stay open to the air when not in use. I just turn the top over and set it down on the bottle. For cleaning, I use Efferdent Plus tablets. They leave a nice minty taste, errrrrrr, smell.

Try five parts water and one part scotch. I don't know if it will reduce the smell, but after you drink it you won't care! Hope you had a good Christmas Gary.

What Rocco said... but with the proportions switched around. :rolleyes:

D

We used to wash out plastic canteens with Vinegar (sp) . Worked great.

PerformanceBike.com has water bottles that (they claim) do not attain the plastic taste. A bit more $$, however.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19977&subcategory_ID=4341

My two sons and I received Eddie Bauer, aluminum, fluid bottles from my wife for Christmas. The bottles are epoxy lined inside and US FDA compliant. The label claims the epoxy does not 'retain odor or taste'. They hold 20 oz. They can NOT be washed in a dishwasher and they are only recommended for cold drinks. (So a hot tottie is out!) Interesting!

...Bottles...smell and taste plasticky...so always put a bit of Squash in to disguise the taste...

+1 but I use "Sqwincher."

Gary,

Toss the bottles and buy a hydration pack. Mine never smells or tastes bad and I have a well which has zero processing of the H2O. I rinse after each use and hang it up to dry. Twice a year I use the cleaning tablets and let it soak over night. I've used the same one for three years both riding and snow shoeing and it's in great shape. It was worth every dime!

With a pack you can carry more water and it's much much much safer when you drink while riding. We need you to keep those hands on the bars and eyes on the road so we can continue to receive all your thoughtful cycling insights! :)

Bob

These do not retain smell and really don't leak as they get older. No drips on your bike or your hands.

http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/store/subcategory.asp?categorysubcategorycode=168

They are very easy to drink out of when you get used to it and easy to hang on to.

That's it: Polycarbonate plastic.

Like some others, I always rinse mine after use. But I always store my upside down so any remaining moisture drains to a paper towel I put under it. I've never had any issues with taste or bacteria build-up.

Plastic is to some extent slightly porous and can adsorb organic particles quite easily. These particles can be difficult to remove entirely and will rot in time where there is moisture present.

Here's what I do......

after every ride I wash out the bottle thoroughly with a little detergent added

rinse several times with water

place upside down to drain

leave it out to dry on the kitchen bench with the cap off for at least 24 hours

store in cupboard with the cap off till needed
Me too & never had a smelly bottle.

Gary, I checked out the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Co. I'm sure there's some in your San Diego area. That coffee shop has the polocarbonate bottles that will fit the bicycle bottle cages. It holds more liquid than the standard bike shop bottle and its polycarbonate plastic. Price around 7-8 bucks. My guess is that Starbuck's has it too.

Yoh G, what's up with the whining over smelly bottles? Be a man and drink. A little bacteria isn't gonna kill ya. If you run low on water just stop a any local creek and fill'er up. For winter riding, plan a ride past your local nuclear power plant. Stop at the discharge pool, fill your bottle, drop in a tea bag and you're all set. Nothing like some hot tea on a winter day! Do this a few times and you get the added benefit of not needing a light for night riding. Come on G, no more bottle phobia. What's next, afraid to pee while riding? Be a real biker, get with the program. :D

Yoh G, what's up with the whining over smelly bottles? Be a man and drink. A little bacteria isn't gonna kill ya. If you run low on water just stop a any local creek and fill'er up. For winter riding, plan a ride past your local nuclear power plant. Stop at the discharge pool, fill your bottle, drop in a tea bag and you're all set. Nothing like some hot tea on a winter day! Do this a few times and you get the added benefit of not needing a light for night riding. Come on G, no more bottle phobia. What's next, afraid to pee while riding? Be a real biker, get with the program. :D

Tom,

You just got me laugh out loud. Thanks!!!

And I'll try your advice... ;)

Gary, I checked out the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Co. I'm sure there's some in your San Diego area. That coffee shop has the polocarbonate bottles that will fit the bicycle bottle cages. It holds more liquid than the standard bike shop bottle and its polycarbonate plastic. Price around 7-8 bucks. My guess is that Starbuck's has it too.

I bought mine on line.

I've read somewhere that leaving water in the bottle from one ride to the next eliminates the problem. Just rinse and refill when you head out. I've been doing this for years and it works for me. Keeps my bowels cleaned out too! Just kidding - never had an issue with it, and no smell or bad taste.

I drink 1 gallone of orange juice per 100 km (~60 miles). You can buy it everywhere and store it in your rear bag.
marmotte

I drink 1 gallone of orange juice per 100 km (~60 miles). You can buy it everywhere and store it in your rear bag.
marmotte

Are you kidding? :D

1 gallon of OJ would clear my entire system out in about two minutes, and I would need to be near the toilet for the rest of the day! :eek:

Wow. :rolleyes:

You got hot summer times, too, don't you?
If it's hot enough and if you reach your maximum speed for enough time, you will think you'll never need a toilet for the rest of your life.
The one bad thing: you can't pour it over your head.
marmotte

Remember those Eddie Bauer aluminum bottles I discussed earlier in this thread? Well we tried them out last Wednesday. They suck. No, really. When you drink out of them, it creates a vacuum inside the bottle (as it does with all sealed bottles) that sucks the plastic spout back to the closed position. The difference is when you drink from a plastic bottle, you can squeeze the plastic to compensate for the vacuum. But when I tried to squeeze the aluminim bottle, well you know what happened, nothing. Now I have to find a way to tell my wife the expensive metal bottles she bought us don't work. If you see these at Dick's Sporting World or REI, my advice is keep on walkin'.

I've been trying to use more than one water bottle and I've found that my less used ones, which were sitting in a cupboard, are smelly, and remain smelly even after a cycle through the dishwasher. Should I just pitch 'em and start a new collection, or is there something I can put in the dishwasher (or sink) that would take away the dingy smell?

Put Guiness in 'em, Gary. Doesn't remove the smell, but you won't care as much!

Steve

An old "Mom" trick. I works with Tupperware, put some wadded up newspaper in them. The bottles should come out odor free in a day or two. I think it has something to do with the ink used in printing newspapers.

Linda

I've read somewhere that leaving water in the bottle from one ride to the next eliminates the problem. Just rinse and refill when you head out. I've been doing this for years and it works for me. Keeps my bowels cleaned out too! Just kidding - never had an issue with it, and no smell or bad taste.

That's all I've ever done. It works for me.

I asked my wife about that newpaper trick too wondering if she'd heard of it and she had.