Keeping glass bottles from getting that weird smell over time

That smell is so frustrating, isn’t it? I totally get wanting to hang onto those bottles instead of tossing them. We’ve had the same issue at home - my kiddo loves flavored water, and after a while, those bottles just get... off. I’ve found that letting them air dry completely (upside down on a rack) helps a ton. Sometimes I’ll use a little vinegar, too, and rinse really well. Don’t feel bad if you have to retire a few, though - sometimes no amount of scrubbing will save them. You’re definitely not alone in this.

That smell is the worst, right? I’ve definitely been there - sometimes no matter how much you clean, it just lingers. I actually started swapping out bottles more often after a while because I got tired of fighting with it. Vinegar works for a bit, but like you said, sometimes you just gotta let go. No shame in retiring a few bottles if they’re past saving. You’re not alone in this at all... it’s weirdly reassuring to know others deal with the same thing.

I totally get it - sometimes no amount of scrubbing gets that weird funk out. I used to stress so much thinking I was doing something wrong, but honestly, some bottles just hit their limit. It’s kind of a relief knowing it happens to everyone. Swapping them out feels wasteful at first, but it’s way less stressful than constantly battling that smell.

I totally get it - sometimes no amount of scrubbing gets that weird funk out.

Definitely relate to the frustration there. I always feel a little guilty tossing bottles, but sometimes they just don’t bounce back, no matter what you try. I’ve noticed it’s worse if I leave them sealed up after washing - like, even a tiny bit of moisture trapped in there seems to make things funky way faster. Now I just let them air dry completely with the cap off, and that’s helped a bit.

Vinegar soaks have worked for me when baking soda didn’t cut it, but honestly, I still end up retiring a few bottles every year. It’s like toothbrushes - eventually, you just gotta let them go. At least glass is recyclable, so I try not to stress too much about it.

Weirdly, the ones I use for tea seem to get that smell faster than the water ones. No idea why. Maybe something about the tannins? Anyway, you’re definitely not alone with this - sometimes it’s just not worth the endless scrubbing.

I hear you on the tea bottles - mine always end up with that stubborn odor, way more than just plain water ones. I’ve tried every trick in the book, but honestly, once that smell sets in, it’s tough to get rid of. I’m kind of ruthless about it now. If a bottle’s been funky for a while, I just move on. Funny enough, it reminds me of mouthguards - after a certain point, no amount of soaking fixes that weird taste. Sometimes it’s just not worth the hassle.

You know, I’ve wondered the same thing about glass bottles. I’ve tried baking soda, vinegar, even those bottle brushes that are supposed to get every corner. Sometimes it helps, but if the smell’s really set in, it just lingers. Do you think it’s the rubber seals or lids holding onto the odor more than the glass? I end up swapping out the lids more often than the bottles themselves. Kind of like mouthguards - once they get that funk, no amount of soaking ever really fixes it for me either.

Do you think it’s the rubber seals or lids holding onto the odor more than the glass? I end up swapping out the lids more often than the bottles themselves. Kind of like mouthguards - once they get that funk, no amount of soaking ever really fixes it for me either.

Honestly, I think you’re onto something with the lids and seals being the real culprits. Glass itself is pretty nonporous, so unless it’s scratched up or super old, it usually doesn’t hold smells. But those rubber or silicone seals... man, they soak up odors like crazy. I’ve had the same issue with retainers and mouthguards - once that weird smell sets in, it’s game over.

One trick that sometimes works for me is letting the seals or lids sit in direct sunlight for a few hours. UV can help kill off some of the bacteria that cause the funk. I’ve also tried soaking them in diluted hydrogen peroxide, which seems to help more than vinegar or baking soda. Still, sometimes it’s just easier to replace the seal or lid if it’s been around a while. The glass bottle itself usually cleans up fine after a good scrub and air dry.

It’s wild how some smells just never go away, no matter what you try...

Yeah, I totally get what you mean - once that smell sets in, it's almost like a lost cause. I’ve tried boiling my mouthguard and even soaking it in denture cleaner, but sometimes nothing really works. You’re not alone in swapping out lids and seals more often than the actual bottles. It’s weirdly reassuring to know others run into the same thing... guess we’re all just fighting the funk together.

I have to laugh - my grandkids think I’m nuts for sniffing my water bottle every morning. But honestly, that mystery smell is relentless. I’ve tried vinegar soaks and even let the sun bake the funk out... sometimes it helps, sometimes not so much. At this point, I’d rather buy new lids than risk that weird aftertaste.

That smell really does sneak up on you, doesn’t it? I swear, sometimes I open my bottle and wonder if a science experiment crawled in there overnight. I’m with you on the vinegar soaks - they work... until they don’t. Baking soda’s been my go-to lately. I just toss in a spoonful, fill it with hot water, and let it sit for a few hours. It actually seems to help more than vinegar for me, though I still get that stubborn funk every once in a while.

I’m too cheap to buy new lids all the time, so I started using those little bottle brushes to scrub under the seal. Turns out, gunk loves hiding in those grooves. Also - kind of embarrassing - but I realized leaving the bottle closed when it’s damp just makes things worse. Now I store them upside down with the lid off, and it’s helped cut down on the mystery odors. Not perfect, but at least I don’t feel like I’m drinking from a swamp anymore.

Turns out, gunk loves hiding in those grooves.

Totally get this - those grooves are sneaky. I used to just rinse my bottles and call it good, but after a few days, that funky smell would always come back. Baking soda helps, but sometimes I wonder if the type of bottle matters? Like, some lids seem to hold onto smells worse than others. Anyone tried boiling the lids or is that overkill?

sometimes I wonder if the type of bottle matters? Like, some lids seem to hold onto smells worse than others.

This is exactly what I’ve noticed too. I have a couple of glass bottles with those silicone-lined lids, and they always seem to trap odors way more than the all-metal ones. I’m not sure if it’s the material or just the design, but I end up scrubbing those lids a lot more.

About boiling - I've actually tried it when things got really stubborn. I was a little worried at first, but as long as the lid doesn’t have plastic parts, it seemed fine. For the ones with silicone, I just soaked them in hot water with baking soda and vinegar instead. It worked pretty well, but not perfect. Sometimes I wonder if there’s a “point of no return” for certain smells...

Honestly, you’re not alone with this. Those grooves and crevices are like a magnet for weird smells. It’s kind of reassuring to hear other people are dealing with the same thing - it makes me feel less like I’m just being picky about it.

I swear, those silicone lids are like sponges for smells. I had one that held onto a garlic scent for months - no matter what I did, it was like drinking water from a Caesar salad. I’ve tried the baking soda trick too, but sometimes it just lingers. Ever tried leaving the lid out in the sun for a day or two? I heard UV can help, but I’m not sure if it’s just wishful thinking on my part... Also, do you find certain drinks (like coffee or juice) make it worse, or is it just me?

it was like drinking water from a Caesar salad

Freezing is a new one for me - never tried it, but I always assumed cold just kind of “locks in” the smell too. I’ve had better luck with soaking lids in diluted vinegar overnight, though sometimes that just swaps out pickle for vinegar. Has anyone ever tried using denture tablets for this? I keep seeing that tip pop up for bottles, but not sure if it works for lids or not...

Has anyone ever tried using denture tablets for this? I keep seeing that tip pop up for bottles, but not sure if it works for lids or not...

Funny you mention denture tablets - I actually gave them a shot after reading about it somewhere. Tossed a couple in a bowl with my stubborn jar lids, let them fizz away overnight. The weird smell was way less noticeable, but not totally gone. Didn’t leave a minty after-scent either, which was nice. Worth a try if vinegar isn’t cutting it.

Tossed a couple in a bowl with my stubborn jar lids, let them fizz away overnight. The weird smell was way less noticeable, but not totally gone.

That’s interesting - denture tablets are basically just mild cleansers with a bit of fizz, so it makes sense they’d help with lingering odors. I’ve seen them work wonders on retainers and mouthguards, but I always wonder if they actually break down the “smell molecules” or just mask them for a bit. Did you notice any residue left on the lids after soaking? Sometimes with dental appliances, there’s a chalky film if you don’t rinse well.

I’m curious if the effectiveness depends on what caused the smell in the first place. Like, if it’s old food oils, would denture tablets really cut through, or is it more for those musty, stale odors? I’ve heard of people using a drop of dish soap with the tablets for tougher jobs, but haven’t tried that myself.

Vinegar’s usually my go-to, but I agree, sometimes it just doesn’t cut it - plus then you’re left with everything smelling like a salad.

Sometimes with dental appliances, there’s a chalky film if you don’t rinse well.

That chalky film is the bane of my existence with mouthguards, so I totally get what you mean. Denture tablets are basically a fizzy mix of sodium bicarbonate and mild peroxide - great for breaking down organic gunk, but not exactly industrial degreasers. If the smell in your jars is from oils or anything fatty, the tablets might just be putting a polite little hat on the problem rather than actually kicking it out.

I’ve seen people swear by adding a tiny bit of dish soap to the soak, and honestly, that combo seems to work better for really stubborn stuff. Just make sure to rinse like your life depends on it, or you’ll end up with that weird aftertaste. Vinegar is classic, but yeah, everything ends up smelling like you’re prepping for a picnic.

Honestly, sometimes I think those old glass smells are just part of the charm... or maybe that’s just me rationalizing my laziness about scrubbing.

Totally hear you on the “charm” of old glass smells - it’s like a weird nostalgia, right? I’ve had a few bottles that just never lose that faint whiff, no matter what I do. Honestly, your method sounds way more thorough than mine ever is. Sometimes good enough really is good enough.