Nalgene funkiness

SlickShughes

So, I carry a Nalgene bottle with me everywhere, and refill it 3 or so times a day, as I get dehydrated pretty easily. I only got it recently, before this I had to walk back and forth to the kitchen all the time. I use it only for water, and wash it every few days or so. More and more frequently, it's developing a funky odor. What do I need to do to prevent this? Do I just need to wash it more often, or using a specific cleanser? As it is I'm just using dish soap.

Demosthorn

I want to say I have heard something about washing it making it smell.

Athlantar

I had this exact same issue while traveling in Mexico. You need to let that sucker air out. No matter how badly you wash it, even with bleach, it will keep that smell if you dont let it air out. I'd grab another bottle or two, and switch them up every day or so. I figure all that contact with lips lets germs live on the cap part of it. Possibly not the right scientific explanation, but this solution worked for me.

SlickShughes

Athlantar wrote: »

I figure all that contact with lips lets germs live on the cap part of it. Possibly not the right scientific explanation, but this solution worked for me.

I had the same thought, so I've always been diligent about cleaning the lid/lip. I'll try airing it out though, that sounds right-ish.

SpankyMobster

In addition to airing it out, also try rinsing it with hot soapy water and lemon juice. Worked for moi.

Everywhereasign

The thing that worked really well for me was to quarter a lemon and put one slice in my Nalgene at the beginning of the day. The water tastes better all day, and it prevents the funk. Just make sure you get a new wedge every day.

DeathPrawn

I don't want to be the guy who's telling you that you need to go out and buy buy buy, but I've found that aluminum-based water bottles (like a Sigg) are in general much less prone to odors than plastic ones like Nalgenes (plus they're better for the environment, etc).

NightDragon

DeathPrawn wrote: »

I don't want to be the guy who's telling you that you need to go out and buy buy buy, but I've found that aluminum-based water bottles (like a Sigg) are in general much less prone to odors than plastic ones like Nalgenes (plus they're better for the environment, etc).

I second this.

Erandus

Try a nalgene cleaning product like these tablets.

Arminas

I thought it was the lid/rim to lip contact that might cause it. I think it is in part. But it's important to air it out like Athlantar said. I usually carried 1L of water with me to work/school everyday and by the end of the day, even if I drank all the water, if it was sealed up and I opened it up when I got home, it'd have a funny polycarbon smell to it that was kind of damp. So whenever I finished the water, like on the way home, I'd open up the lid and leave it uncapped overnight and the next morning it'd be fine.

However, I still washed it regulary. once every few days, pour a bit of liquid dish detergent in and scrub it out.

As for the lemon thing? It worked for a couple days, but for some reason, I noticed that shit would collect/grow at the bottom of my nalgene. It only happened once but it kind of freaked me out so I stopped throwing lemon/lime wedges into my water regularly. Plus after the first liter was downed and I refilled it, it wasn't quite as zesty.

Forbe!

Yes, replacing a perfectly good drinking container is really good for the environment.

Warm water and bleach works well. I'm sure you know that you shouldn't use hot water with nalgenes. Wash it out thoroughly, and let it air out.

YourFatAuntSusan

Isn't the plastic in these things pretty bad for you now?

SlickShughes

YourFatAuntSusan wrote: »

Isn't the plastic in these things pretty bad for you now?

They fixed that, or so I'm told. I've got one of the new ones.

Athlantar

YourFatAuntSusan wrote: »

Isn't the plastic in these things pretty bad for you now?

The problem your talking about is if your doing something retarded, like pouring boiling water into the nalgene and then freezing the bottle, then giving the water to a baby.

Tal

Athlantar wrote: »

YourFatAuntSusan wrote: »

Isn't the plastic in these things pretty bad for you now?

The problem your talking about is if your doing something retarded, like pouring boiling water into the nalgene and then freezing the bottle, then giving the water to a baby.

Bisphenol A, found in type 3 and some type 7 plastics, can leach when cleaned with harsh detergents or when very acidic or hot temperatures are stored within. The concern is that long term low dose exposure may induce chronic toxicity.

Nalgene bottles are well known for being type 5 (most nowadays?) so I don't think that's a problem here.

Unless there's something new to worry about.

Edilith

You could also try some bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) if you don't have any lemons hanging about.

Eat it You Nasty Pig.

I just use standard dish soap and water to clean mine; I generally let it soak for an hour or so.

This leaves a little bit of a soapy smell, but it goes away relatively quickly.

starmanbrand

I guess I will piggyback in here. I've been interested in getting a waterfilter for quite sometime. Any preferences? Brita the standard and does it work well or should I look elsewhere?

Kealoha

starmanbrand wrote: »

I guess I will piggyback in here. I've been interested in getting a waterfilter for quite sometime. Any preferences? Brita the standard and does it work well or should I look elsewhere?

I had a Pur at home but when I moved to school got a Brita. I can't tell the difference.

starmanbrand

Kealoha wrote: »

starmanbrand wrote: »

I guess I will piggyback in here. I've been interested in getting a waterfilter for quite sometime. Any preferences? Brita the standard and does it work well or should I look elsewhere?

I had a Pur at home but when I moved to school got a Brita. I can't tell the difference.

but both provide a large difference between it and the normal tap?

Hobbit0815

About the waterfilter, We use brita pitcher (I haven't tried anything else by brita, like the faucet mount), but it's very cumbersome. It works, though. The water tastes great. I imagine the faucet mount would be more practical.

Fats

Tal wrote: »

Nalgene bottles are well known for being type 5 (most nowadays?) so I don't think that's a problem here.

I don't know when they switched, but both of my bottles are type 7 and they're not that old. I still drink out of them, though.

I've had a Brita pitcher for a long time and it works fine, but I find if funky tasting tap water is the only problem, a couple drops of lemon or lime juice solves the problem far more cheaply.