Metallic taste in your water bottle: causes and fixes

You take the first sip from your new bottle – and something tastes odd. A metallic taste in a water bottle is one of the most common questions about stainless steel bottles, even though high-quality stainless steel is actually considered taste-neutral. In this guide you will find the typical causes, instructions for the first clean and an overview that helps you work out whether it's the bottle, the water or something else entirely.

Contents9

1. Where does the metallic taste in a water bottle come from?
2. Identifying the cause quickly
3. The glass test: is it really the bottle?
4. First clean of a new stainless steel bottle
5. Prevention: keeping the taste of your drinks neutral
6. When a bottle should no longer be used
7. Our taste-neutral IZY bottles
8. Conclusion
9. Frequently asked questions

Where does the metallic taste in a water bottle come from?

First of all: if a bottle tastes "of metal", it does not automatically mean that something is dissolving from the stainless steel. Often something else is behind it that can be fixed with little effort. The most common reasons are:

• Residues from production: New bottles can contain traces of oil, polishing dust or packaging smell. That's why most manufacturers recommend rinsing new bottles before first use.
• The rim against your lips: If you drink straight from a stainless steel opening, your lips and tongue register the cool metal. Many people interpret this sensation as taste, even though the drink itself is unchanged.
• The water itself: Tap water tastes different depending on the region and the building's plumbing. Older pipes or water that has stood in the pipes for a long time can have their own aftertaste.
• Detergent residue: If the bottle was not rinsed thoroughly, residue remains inside or in the lid and affects the next drink.
• Drinks left standing: Acidic or salty drinks that stay in the bottle for days can leave deposits and odours.
• Damaged coating: In aluminium bottles, an inner coating protects the drink. If it is scratched, metal can actually come into contact with the contents. Stainless steel bottles generally don't have this problem.

Identifying the cause quickly

With this overview you can find out what is going on in most cases – and what helps.

Observation	Likely cause	What helps
Only with a new bottle	Residues from manufacturing and packaging	First clean (see below), rinse several times
The water tastes like this from a glass too	Tap water or plumbing	Run the water before filling, ask your water supplier if in doubt
Mainly when drinking straight from the rim	Lips touching metal	Pour into a glass and compare
Soapy or perfumed	Detergent residue	Rinse thoroughly with clear, warm water
After coffee, tea or juice	Residues of previous drinks	Rinse straight after use, don't forget the lid
Scratches inside an aluminium bottle	Damaged inner coating	Stop using the bottle for drinks

The glass test: is it really the bottle?

The simplest test takes less than a minute: pour the same water into the bottle and into a clean drinking glass. Let both stand for five minutes, then taste first from the glass and then from the bottle. Afterwards pour some water from the bottle into the glass and taste again.

• If the water tastes the same in all versions, it's the water.
• If it only tastes different straight from the bottle but not in the glass, it is very likely the sensation of the metal rim.
• If it still tastes different from the comparison glass after pouring, the cause lies in the bottle or lid – then a thorough clean helps.

First clean of a new stainless steel bottle

Before you fill a new bottle for the first time, you should rinse it. This removes any residues from production and packaging. For the IZY bottles in our shop, the manufacturer recommends cleaning by hand with warm water and a little mild washing-up liquid, not in the dishwasher. Here's how:

1. Remove stickers, labels and packaging remnants.
2. Fill the bottle with warm water and a drop of mild washing-up liquid and wash the lid.
3. Clean the inside with a soft bottle brush, not forgetting the thread at the neck and the lid.
4. Rinse several times with clear, warm water until no foam or scent remains.
5. Let the bottle and lid air-dry separately and open.

If a slight taste of its own remains afterwards, it often helps to fill the bottle with water once or twice, leave it for a few hours and pour it out again. Avoid scouring agents, steel wool or aggressive cleaners – they leave scratches in which residues settle more easily later.

Prevention: keeping the taste of your drinks neutral

• Rinse promptly: The sooner the bottle is rinsed after coffee, tea, juice or fruit water, the less can build up.
• Dry open: With the lid closed, moisture stays inside. Leave the bottle open after washing.
• One bottle, one purpose: If you drink a lot of coffee as well as water, two bottles often work better than one that constantly switches.
• Don't leave drinks for days: Whatever was forgotten overnight is better poured away and the bottle refilled.
• Fill with fresh water: In the morning, let the tap run briefly until the water comes out cool before you fill the bottle.

When a bottle should no longer be used

In most cases an unusual taste disappears after cleaning. But there are situations in which you are better off discarding the bottle: when the inner coating of an aluminium bottle comes off, when rust appears inside, when an odour remains despite thorough cleaning, or when seals are cracked and discoloured and no replacement is available. If you have health concerns – for example if you notice a metallic taste in your mouth in general, regardless of bottle and drink – please have it checked by a doctor.

Our taste-neutral IZY bottles

According to the product description, both IZY thermos bottles in our shop are made of double-walled stainless steel, are taste-neutral and free from BPA. The description of the Pip Studio bottle puts it nicely: yesterday's coffee won't taste through in today's water. The IZY x Pip Studio "La Dolce Vita" thermos bottle comes in a round gift tin, while the IZY Bottles Van Gogh Flowers thermos bottle features a floral design inspired by Vincent van Gogh. Both hold 500 ml and, according to the manufacturer, keep drinks hot for up to 12 hours and cold for up to 24 hours. More tips for warm days can be found in the article Water bottle in summer.

Related reading: Thermos bottle: removing odours with household remedies · How to clean a thermos bottle: routine, household remedies and common mistakes · Drinking bottle made of stainless steel, plastic or glass: which material suits you?

Conclusion

A metallic taste in a water bottle usually has a harmless cause: residues from production, detergent residue, the water itself or simply your lips touching the metal rim. The glass test quickly shows what's behind it. Rinse new bottles thoroughly before first use, clean them promptly after use and let them dry open – then water, tea and coffee taste the way they should.

Frequently asked questions

Is a metallic taste normal with a new stainless steel bottle?

It does happen, usually due to residues from manufacturing or packaging. A thorough first clean with warm water and mild washing-up liquid, followed by several rinses, usually solves the problem.

Is metal dissolving from my stainless steel bottle?

Stainless steel is considered a very resistant material for food. Other causes are more often behind the impression, such as the sensation of the metal rim or residues. If in doubt, do the glass test.

Does it help to put the bottle in the dishwasher?

That depends on the model. For the IZY bottles, the manufacturer explicitly advises against it and recommends washing by hand so that the surface and insulation stay protected.

Why does water from the bottle taste different from water in a glass?

Often it's the drinking rim: lips and tongue feel the cool metal. Pour the water into a glass for comparison – if it tastes normal there, the bottle itself is not the cause.

When should I throw a bottle away?

If the inner coating of an aluminium bottle comes off, rust appears inside or an odour remains despite thorough cleaning, you should no longer use it for drinks.

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Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.