Science & Outdoors
How to get the funk out of your Nalgene
Science & Outdoors Reporter
You know what I’m talking about. What is that smell? Whether you left an alcoholic beverage in it from last Friday, water from last year, or the smell has just appeared out of nowhere, everyone has experienced this. Which brings me to the key question on everyone’s mind:
How do you get funk out of your Nalgene?
If the odor has come from the lingering smell of some other beverage stored in your Nalgene that won’t come out, I would suggest cleaning out the inside with a small cloth and stick and then soaking it in warm water overnight with either lemon or baking soda. Afterwards, wash it out with soap and water.
If the odor has come from water that has sat in your Nalgene for an extended amount of time or if you consistently refill your bottle without washing it and it has started to smell, you might have bacteria starting to grow in your bottle! To combat this I would suggest wiping out the inside with a small cloth and a stick and then soaking it in warm water with vinegar, which has germicidal properties. Some people use a small amount of bleach (1 tablespoon per 1-2 cup of water) but this should only be used as a last resort. After either suggestion, wash your Nalgene with soap and water.
As with any plastic product, it is not recommend to boil or microwave your Nalgene because of the possible release of toxins from the plastic.
