I have a Rubbermaid water bottle that I use daily at work. I wash it out at the beginning of each day. Every Friday, I bring it home & wash it in the dishwasher. In the past week or so, it's developed an odd taste. (I know it sounds weird, but it sort of taste like licorice) I mainly use it for water, but occasionally I've put lemonaid or ice tea in it. Other than washing, does anyone have any ideas on how I can neturalize the odd taste? Thanks & have a groovy day!
"Your work is only as good as your concentra...hey look! A cloud shaped like Snoopy!"
"Real" vanilla extract on a cotton ball? We used to wipe down the interior of plastic coolers and water jugs when they occasionally trapped odors. Not sure if the alcohol in the real extract was the real neutralizer but the scent of the vanilla was light and soon left no odor at all.
I have taken about 1/4 cup of baking soda and hot, hot water. Fill the bottle to the top with the hot water. Stir it well, don't shake it. The hot water and the soda will be kind of like a room temp soft drink. It will go everywhere!
Let it sit overnight. Rinse well after you pour the water out.
Does the top have a gasket? Do you remove it before you put it in the dishwasher? You might want to try that if you don't. Just a thought.
I tried the vanilla, it did make it taste a little vanilla'ly for a couple of days, but then the odd taste came back. I brought it home with me today, mixed up baking soda & water as suggested. I'm letting it sit overnight. Hopefully that will take care of the problem. I've made a note to only use it for water from now on. What happens is sometimes I'll go out for lunch & bring back a to-go cup of ice tea or lemonade, once I'm in the classroom, I'll pour it into the bottle. Today, I snuck in my to-go cup & drank the rest of my tea out of it. I never thought about lemonade breaking down the plastic. It is a softer plastic, not the hard, transparent type. And...there isn't a gasket. Thanks for the feedback! BTW...I would like to have one of the harder, transparent water bottles...but I hate the baby bottle nipple like spout that are on them (fine for when you are riding a bike). I prefer the type that has a flip lid & a real drinking spout. Also, have you ever noticed that water bottles can be expensive?
This message has been edited. Last edited by: fuzzypeach,
"Your work is only as good as your concentra...hey look! A cloud shaped like Snoopy!"
The baking soda seems to have gotten rid of the odd taste. I used it today at work & it was good as new. Also, after reading the news story (link above) I decided to look at the symbol on the bottom of the bottle. It took a while to read the number inside the arrow/triangle, but I finally made out a #5. Looks like it's one of the safer types of water bottles. I was sort of concerned about that.
"Your work is only as good as your concentra...hey look! A cloud shaped like Snoopy!"
My thought would be that vinegar, lemonade and often tea, may all contain mild acids. Probably will create more of a problem than a solution for the plastic odor absorption?
We now know the baking soda/hot water worked, and I have taken note of it for any future problems that may arise.
I have soaked washable dog collars in hot vinegar/baking soda and it really helps to remove any odors that did not release with regular washing. Who knows what those guys roll in???
hahaha! I know what some of those guys roll in and believe me, it's not good!!! Our lab used to like to go to the lake and roll in the dead fish heads that the fishermen would leave behind when they cleaned their fish...my stomach would turn. No matter how much you begged her to stop, she would just smile, wag and roll!
I saw a new Rubbermaid bottle at the grocery store the other day and thought about you, FP...here is a link.
I've always said that dead, rotten birdies was 'doggie perfume' for my dogs! The bottle on the left (Chug Bottle) is the kind that I have! I'm vowing to use it only for water from now on.
"Your work is only as good as your concentra...hey look! A cloud shaped like Snoopy!"
Yesterday at work, I took the top off & guess what I noticed? A gasket/seal! I don't know how I didn't see it before. Guess I wasn't paying attention. Duh! I pried it out & washed it good. I guess that's were the funky taste (& germs) was lurking. EW!
"Your work is only as good as your concentra...hey look! A cloud shaped like Snoopy!"
