If you are one of the many that is afflicted with a stronger sensitivity to metal and you’re worried about your stainless steel water bottle having an unwanted “metallic taste,” we’re here to help! Fortunately, this problem can be simply solved with a couple of different, time-tested home remedies that are quick and can be easily found within your kitchen cabinets.

Even if you do not normally have a sensitivity to metal, we would still highly recommend using these cleaning methods upon purchasing your new water bottle to prevent any future off-taste, and using them during your regular cleanings of your favorite stainless steel water bottles. Besides taking away the “metallic taste,” these quick and easy tips will help keep your bottles in great shape.

Some people have said that the “metallic taste” is just too strong for them to handle. If this is the case for you and these time-tested cleaning tips have not helped, you may want to consider investing in a glass bottle, as besides stainless steel, it is one of the safest water bottle choices on the market. Dr. Ben and the rest of the staff here at StainlessWaterBottles.com would never recommend drinking from plastic or aluminum reusable water bottles, as they have potentially harmful health effects and the possibility of leaching the toxic chemical, Bisphenol A (BPA).

We’re also including some quick and easy tips for getting the rust spots out of your stainless steel water bottle. Though stainless steel water bottles, such as Klean Kanteen, are not meant to rust (since they are “stainless”), under certain conditions it can happen. So if you forget to clean out your water bottle and notice faint rust, use the quick included tips given below and you rust problems should be eliminated.

We hope that this simple home-cleaning information will help keep your water tasting clean and clear and your stainless steel water bottle in great condition!

Easy Fixes for Preventing “Metallic Taste”

If you are worried about your level of sensitivity to stainless steel, one way that can generally help is to reduce the amount of stainless steel in your bottle by using a polypropylene #5 (pp#5) cap rather than a stainless steel cap, such as the Klean Kanteen Sport Cap 2.0, shown on the right. Klean Kanteen also carries a polypropylene Flat Cap, Loop Cap, and the Sippy Cup Cap for all of the Klean Kanteen Classic Bottles.

If you are using a Wide or Wide Insulated Klean Kanteen, you can choose from the Café Cap (which is also perfect for your morning coffee), the Loop Cap, and the Flip-D Ring Cap. Keep in mind though if you’re really trying to be careful, that the Loop Cap and the Flip-D Ring do contain small amounts of stainless steel.

Simple and Quick Home Remedies: Vinegar and Baking Soda

Vinegar and baking soda have always been known as great, time-tested home cleaning products, and once again this is the case.

How to clean your stainless steel water bottle with white vinegar:

• Wash your stainless steel water bottle well with warm, soapy water and rinse well.
• Mix distilled or filtered water with white vinegar in a 50/50 ratio. If you have a 16 oz. water bottle, mix 8 oz. of water and 8 oz. of vinegar.
• Fill your stainless steel water bottle with the water and vinegar mixture.
• Let your stainless steel water bottle sit undisturbed with the mixture in it overnight.
• The following day, wash out the mixture and rinse your water bottle well.

How to clean your stainless steel water bottle with baking soda:

• Wash your stainless steel water bottle well with warm, soapy water and rinse well.
• Add a teaspoon of baking soda, warm water, and soap and wash again.
• If washing your stainless water bottle with baking soda is not enough, let your bottle soak overnight undisturbed with the same amount of baking soda.
• Rinse well the next morning.

If the “metallic taste” problem still persists after trying these cleaning methods repeatedly, like we noted earlier, Dr. Ben and StainlessWaterBottles.com recommends looking into purchasing a glass water bottle.

Does Your Stainless Steel Water Bottle Have Rust Spots?

As we noted earlier, stainless steel water bottles are not meant to rust, but it can happen under the right circumstances. Ways that your stainless steel water bottle can get rust spots include: leaving water for an extended period of time in your bottle, especially leaving juice or any acidic beverages in your bottle for a long period of time without cleaning, and if you continually do not dry your bottle after regular cleanings.

If you do have rust in your water bottle, you can easily get them out with a couple home remedies, similar to what is used in preventing a “metallic taste.”

How to get rid of stainless steel water bottle rust spots:

• Fill your sink with warm water and add 1 cup of baking soda.
• Soak your stainless steel water bottle in the water and baking soda mixture for a couple hours or overnight.
• After your water bottle is finished soaking, mix 1/4 cup of cream of tartar with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice in a bowl and mix well into a paste.
• Apply the cream of tartar and lemon juice paste to the inside of your bottle using a soft toothbrush. Scrub gently on the rust spots to avoid any scratching of the stainless steel.
• Rinse your bottle using the baking soda and water solution. If the bottle is badly rust stained, you may want to let it soak again after you have scrubbed it.
• Using a wet paper towel, wipe any remaining rust away and then dry the bottle until it shines, using a soft rag or polishing cloth.

One Last Great Cleaning Tip for Your Stainless Steel Water Bottles

Your stainless steel water bottle should never be cleaned with abrasive cleaning tools such as stiff brushes or an SOS pad, as they could scratch the stainless steel. However, if you need to clean any hard-to-reach places, rice is a great substitute. Simply add uncooked rice and vinegar to your stainless steel water bottle and shake well.

Dr. Ben and StainlessWaterBottles.com are Here to Help!

If you have any questions or comments regarding regular cleaning maintenance for your stainless steel water bottles, rust spots, or getting rid of the “metallic taste,” let us know, Dr. Ben and the staff at StainlessWaterBottles.com are here to help! Feel free to call us at (800) 594-4916, or email us at any time.