Witterings

How do other people get rid if the smell that builds up over time in their water bottles ... I googled and found using either Bicarbonate of Soda or Vinegar .... my concern with these is that you'd remove one smell to be left with another even less desirable smell / taste.

Has anyone used either of the above and are there and "after effects".

I also saw wiping it out with lemon which doesn't seem like such a bad idea as even if it is left with a slight taste a drop of lemon in water can actually be quite refreshing although I image it'd be quite hard to really get at the bits / into the corners at the bottom to be really effective.

Darth_Firebolt

I usually replace them if they're so funky that a trip through the dishwasher and a couple drops of bleach can't tame it.

CliffordK

Most of the newer water bottles have much less "taste" than the vintage water bottles.

The cheapest of the water bottles are polyethylene (clear/translucent) which are taste/smell free. I find them periodically in thrift stores, but haven't seen them in bike stores. Not great bottles, but they are "clean".

tagaproject6

Get rid of the water bottle.

Brooke1687

Glass. It’s a little heavier but it stays so much cleaner. I have one that’s in a silicone sleeve to protect it. It can take a drop as long as the lid is secured.

Leebo

Throw it out, use a stainless steel one.

rm -rf

Camelbak bottles have a liner. I used to really dislike the plastic taste from older bottles, even after just a few hours. I tested my Camelbak by leaving water in for 24 hours -- still no taste. There must be other brands with a similar construction.

I've had mold appear if I left a little water in the bottle for a few days. A short soak with diluted bleach, then detergent scrubbing with a bottle brush fixes it.

CliffordK

With the old bottles, leave the lid open, and refill fresh before every ride.

But, as others said, it is better to just get a good bottle.

GerryinHouston

This! I use plastic insulated bottles, which I store uncapped. (Notice the plural) I rotate them as well...

indyfabz

What are you putting (and possibly leaving) in your bottles that causes them to build up smell over time? If I have had something in them like Perpetuem I wash them after the ride. No problem with smell buildup.

pdlamb

Wash after every use, dry thoroughly. When mine come out of the dishwasher (top rack), I leave them drying on the dish drainer for a day or more to get them really, really dry. Bottles stored damp get grotty quickly.

Witterings

Only water but the bottle's quite a few years old and has spent the vast majority of it's life sat in a cupboard with the lid on.

I've only started cycling a lot more seriously / frequently recently and haven't bother with water during the winter months but am sure I'll need some during the summer .... especially as with the better weather will probably start extending beyond the 35 miles I've been doing up until now without any water but just having a drink as soon as I'm finished.

Certainly getting a new bottle had crossed my mind but I thought as I have bi-carbonate of soda, white vinegar and lemon to hand as well as the sterilising tablets they use for babies bottles I may as well give them a try 1st and as my bottle cage is designed to fit the bottle but just wanted to see which may be the best shot for success.

If anybody has tried any of them would be really interested to hear how you got on???

rydabent

+1

Dirt Farmer

Flavorless denture cleaning tablets work wonders for taste, IMO. I'd assume it could cut down on smells, too.

CliffordK

I suppose I should ask how old? 20 years? 30 years? Does it have a screw top or flip top? Cap for the water hole, or the pull spigot?

You can play around if you want, but the new bottles are much better than the old ones.

The old ones had problems with taste, even when "new".

Witterings

Probably about 10 yrs, it's a flip top with I guess a pull spigot.

I'm starting to feel there's a strong consensus for a new bottle .... I'm trying to ignore you all but am beginning to think it's time for me to do some listening instead

nedcmk1

Baking soda, vinegar, and some water. Let it soak.

pdlamb

Try them all, one after the other. By the time you wash it so many times, the flavor will be gone.

mikeoclt

I have a couple of old ones that I wash after using, then I refill them with water, put a few drops of lemon juice in, put in the fridge.
Then when I want to use them I dump the lemon water, refill & go. This process has worked well for me with an old camelback bladder also.

bogydave

Just ordered couple Polar double walled bottles
Tried one in SoCal
With good success (no plastic odor or taste) for a month.
Will try to remember to post after a month if they are better

Have a bell single wall now
Terrible odor & taste
In Recycle bin now

Mitzey

Dollar Tree. Just replace them when it starts smelling funky.

Joe Bikerider

And watch it shoot off as the ingredients react! Whoo hoo!

martianone

Beer helps sweeten skanky water bottles.
Try a Radler ?

Witterings

Grabbed one of my daughters water bottles that's a few years old but not as old as mine to compare and guess what .... no smell ... As people have mentioned it's probably to do with better quality plastics being used now.

If I'm after a replacement are they all generally much better these days or is it hit or miss depending upon what you spend? I was looking at a Elite Corsa (have an Elite cage so would probably be a good fit as well) which is quite cheap and if I have to replace it every year doesn't hurt the bank or if I spend a bit more will I likely get something that'll last for years ... if so any recommendations??

fietsbob

Bought a bottle brush yet? there are bottles you can unscrew the bottom to clean them, easier....


I have a Zefal, lined, aluminum bottle , it has an excellent cap to let the air in, so the water comes out.

[Sigg Sports bottles are also good...]

been using it on the nightstand for night time hydration ( having had a couple squeeze bottles burst when over my face,

and have a cheap stainless bottle with a cap that i have to unscrew a little to let the air in..





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