How To Clean Smelly Water Bottles

Inside: Don't throw out those old stinky water bottles. Check out these tips on how to clean smelly water bottles. The stains and smells will be gone in no time at all. 

I love using reusable water bottles instead of buying bottled water. It saves so much money, plus room in the fridge because I don't have to store them. Unfortunately, sometimes those reusable water bottles get left out in the car.

I often make Gatorade in water bottles for my son. Of course, those bottles roll under the seat and get lost for a couple of weeks. It's not a pretty sight or smell when you find a smelly water bottle.

I have found most of the water bottles can't go through the dishwasher, so hand washing them often takes little to none of the smell out.

If your water bottle smells don't throw it out!

Check out this tip for how to clean smelly water bottles. They will be clean and smelling great in no time at all.

Also, you can see how to clean a hydro flask, how to clean a yeti, and how to clean a swell water bottle! Cleaning a Stanley Tumbler is easy too!

How To Get Rid Of Water Bottle Smells

To clean your smelly water bottles you will need a few things. Most things you probably already have around the house.

Items to Clean Water Bottles

• dish soap
• bottle brush (I use this one)
• baking soda
• vinegar
• straw brush, if needed (I have this one from Amazon)

Getting Started

Start by dumping out any old liquid in the water bottle. Then add some water and the lid and shake the bottle really well. This helps break up any loose grime.

Then, add some dish soap to the bottle and hot water.

Use the bottle brush to scrub around the bottle and leave it to soak for a few minutes.

Next, fill the sink up with enough water to cover the water bottle.

Add about 1-2 cups of vinegar to the water. Take the bottle apart as much as you can.

I like to remove the straw if there is one, and remove the spout.

Place all the parts in the water and let soak for a couple of hours. This is one of the most important steps to clean smelly water bottles.

After 2-3 hours remove the bottle parts use the bottle brush and some dish soap to scrub in the bottle.

If you still notice spots or stains you can take a tablespoon of baking soda and put it in the bottle. Then use a bottle brush to scrub away the stains.

The baking soda will be an abrasive to get the stains out. Rinse the bottle and parts with water.

I have noticed that it's hard to get the mouthpieces really cleaned out. For this you can use a straw brush cleaner or a q-tip.

Just gently run the brush or q-tip around the inside pieces that you can't clean really well.

After all the parts are washed out lay them out to dry. Once the parts are dry you can reassemble the parts and use the bottle again. The smells and stains will be gone.

So, next time you find an old smelly bottle lying around don't throw it out, use this easy tip to clean smelly water bottles.

Want some other cleaning tips?

• How To Deep Clean A Kitchen
• Free Weekly Cleaning Printable
• Easy Way To Clean A Swell Water Bottle