General Question

orangy's avatar

Why can I still smell orange in a bottle that I have washed 10x?

Asked by orangy (13points) October 22nd, 2008

I thought glass was impervious to liquids/smells. I have a glass beverage bottle used for an orange soda that I have repurposed for filtered water. No matter how many times I have washed it by hand or in the machine the water smells like orange. It does not bother me, I was just wondering why the smell lingers?

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9 Answers

asmonet's avatar

Citrus is stubborn.

But really, glass can’t be impervious, things are bumpy when you get real close, and I imagine scents are real small. You get really bumpy and really small together and they get to be really good friends.

There is no real science in my answer.

Spargett's avatar

Give bleach a shot.

Bleach is simply amazing. Just ask any CSI.

mea05key's avatar

I would love to know as well . it is intriguing.

jvgr's avatar

The smell is due to the oily substances in orange.
Is the top (bottle closure) plastic? If so, ridding the smell from the plastic is difficult.
For the bottle try a dilute solution of lye (sodium hydroxide), let it soak for a day or so and then scrub vigorously.
Lye is extremely caustic and can cause severe burns if handled improperly, but safe handling will be problem free.

gailcalled's avatar

Jars that had salsa in them retain the odor for a long time, also. What does “repurposed” mean. Is that a new verb? Is “to purpose” a verb?

mea05key's avatar

@jvor
u mean by neutralising the acid using alkaline?

basp's avatar

you don’t happen to be using a dish soap with an added citrus scent do you?

jvgr's avatar

@mea05key: “u mean by neutralising the acid using alkaline?”
Not neutralize, hydroxide solutions will saponify the oil (ie combine with the residiual oil in order to allow it to wash out.

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