How to Clean & Remove Odors From Shaker Bottles

Protein shakers are bottles that are specifically designed for making protein shakes. More specifically, they allow you to mix powder without the use of a blender or mixer. They’re also a good s

Design-wise, they come with a built-in whisk ball or wire, which helps mix the powder with your beverage.

Like all things, protein shakers aren’t made equal. Ideally, you want to choose one that’s easy to disassemble as it’ll be much easier to clean.

How to Keep Your Protein Shaker Bottle Clean

Take your protein shaker bottle out of your gym bag at the end of the day and clean it with dish soap. That will prevent bacteria from growing in the nooks and crannies.

How can you tell if there’s a huge germ party? Generally speaking, if your shaker bottle smells bad when you take off the flip cap, there’s bacteria.

Remember, just because your shaker doesn’t look dirty doesn’t mean that it’s clean.

What’s the best way to clean a dirty shaker bottle? Can you use distilled white vinegar? What about dish soap? For the answers, be sure to keep reading.

We’ll be going over everything you need to know about how to keep your protein shaker clean below.

Cleaning Instructions for Blender Bottles

It’s best to wash your blender bottle by hand. Depending on the design, the heat from the dishwasher can easily damage the seal, which can result in leaks.

To clean your bottle, simply wash it with warm soapy water in the sink. You can use a bottle cleaning brush if necessary but avoid abrasive cleaners.

Don’t forget to disassemble the parts beforehand as well, otherwise, certain areas can retain smells or flavors (e.g. if you left the flip cap shut, you’ll want to open it for washing).

If your shaker bottle is dishwasher safe, you can also put it in the dishwasher. Simply unscrew the lid, and place the parts on the top rack. Add some soap and run a regular cleaning cycle.

Keep in mind, however, that this method might cause the labels to dissolve, which can make it sticky over time.

How to Remove Odors From Shaker Cups

There are a few things that you can do if your protein shaker smells or is retaining odors:

Use Baking Soda

Baking soda is a great cleaning agent that most of us already have in the house.

Simply add one teaspoon of the powder into your shaker bottle, some warm water (avoid using boiling water), and give it a good shake.

Pour the water out afterward and rinse the bottle in the sink with clean water.

If the odor is still present, leave the baking soda/water mixture in the shaker for 15 minutes before rinsing.

Use White Vinegar

White vinegar is another excellent deodorizer.

Start by filling the sink with warm water. Once it’s two-thirds full, add a cup of white vinegar and mix. Once it’s combined, disassemble your bottle and submerge the parts in the vinegar mixture.

Let it soak for at least an hour before removing the protein shake bottle from the sink.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide will not only deodorize your shaker bottle but it’ll also disinfect it.

Start by rinsing the bottle with water and soap. Next, pour 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide (3% solutions work best) into the vessel, close the lid tightly, and give it a good shake.

Pour the contents out and rinse with water afterward.

Use Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has acidic properties, which allows it to remove odors quickly and easily.

Start by squeezing the fruit for the juice and mixing it with water. Pour the lemon juice solution into the bottle and swirl it around to spread the mixture.

If necessary, leave the contents in for a while before pouring it out—that will maximize the lemon juice’s deodorizing effects.

Use Coffee Grounds

Start by drying out the coffee grounds – the easiest way to do this is by putting them in the oven.

Once they’re dry, place them in your shaker cup and let it sit overnight.

Use Vanilla Extract

Dampen a few paper towels with vanilla extract and place them inside the shaker. Leave them in overnight and remove in the morning.

Freeze It

Leaving your shaker bottle in the freezer overnight is another way to get rid of smells. For the best results, leave a little bit of water in the bottle before freezing.

How to Prevent Odors From Developing in Shaker Bottles

Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to preventing odors:

Wash the Bottle After Each Use

Protein powder residue can clump up inside your bottle and that can cause an odor over time.

To prevent that, you want to wash your shaker cup as soon as you’re done with the beverage. At the very least, give it a good rinse once you get home.

Dry with a few paper towels afterward.

Keep It Dry

Bacteria thrive on moisture, which is why you want to keep your shaker bottle dry. Pay extra attention to the cap and whisk ball as water tends to accumulate in those areas.

Odors In Shaker Bottles – FAQs

Why does my shaker bottle have a rancid odor?

Bacteria will grow in your shaker bottle if it’s not properly cleaned after each use. Not only will you be giving them the perfect environment to thrive but they will also have leftover protein to feed off.

Should you wash a shaker bottle with hot water or cold water?

It’s best to wash your shaker bottle with hot water as the heat will help kill off germs.

How can I remove stubborn residue from my shaker bottle?

Give the nooks and crannies a thorough cleaning with a bottle brush or pipe cleaner.

Can I put my shaker bottle in the dishwasher?

Check the care instructions. While some protein shakers can be put in the dishwasher, some are hand-wash only as the heat can damage the seals over time.