How to Clean an Infuser Bottle: Remove Mould, Stains & Smell

By Saran Reddy | Last Updated: April 20, 2026

Knowing how to clean an infuser bottle properly prevents mould, stains, and that stale smell that ruins your tea. Your infuser bottle smells funky. The mesh strainer has brown stains. There might be something green growing in the lid. Do not panic — and do not throw the bottle away. Most infuser bottle problems come from skipping regular cleaning. Here is how to fix every issue, from surface stains to actual mould.

How Do You Clean an Infuser Bottle After Daily Use?

Rinse the bottle and strainer with warm water right after each use. Do not let tea leaves or fruit sit inside for hours. A quick 30-second rinse prevents 90% of smell, stain, and mould problems.

1. Empty the bottle immediately after finishing your drink.
2. Pull out the strainer and dump the used tea leaves or fruit.
3. Rinse the strainer under warm running water. Use your fingers to rub the mesh and remove any bits stuck in the holes.
4. Rinse the bottle with warm water. Swirl it around to wash the inside walls.
5. Leave both the bottle and the strainer upside down on a clean rack to air dry. Do not seal the lid while wet.

This daily rinse takes 30 seconds. It is the single most important habit for keeping your infuser bottle fresh. Most problems happen when people seal the bottle with leftover tea inside and forget about it for a day or two.

How Do You Remove Tea Stains from the Strainer and Bottle?

Soak the strainer in a paste of baking soda and warm water for 30 minutes. For the bottle, fill it with warm water and 2 teaspoons of baking soda, shake, and let it sit for an hour. Rinse well.

Tea stains are caused by tannins — the same compounds that make tea taste bitter. They stick to glass, steel, and especially silicone. Over time, your clear glass bottle may develop a brownish tint, and your steel strainer may look dark and dirty.

For the strainer:

1. Make a paste: 1 tablespoon of baking soda + enough warm water to form a thick paste.
2. Rub the paste into the mesh with your fingers or a soft toothbrush.
3. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
4. Rinse under warm water. The stains should lift off.

For the bottle:

1. Fill the bottle with warm (not boiling) water.
2. Add 2 teaspoons of baking soda.
3. Shake gently. Let it soak for 1-2 hours.
4. Rinse thoroughly. The glass should look clear again.

For stubborn stains, add a splash of white vinegar to the baking soda solution. It will fizz — that is the reaction doing the cleaning.

How Do You Remove Mould from an Infuser Bottle?

Mould grows when a wet, sealed bottle sits in a warm place for more than a day. To kill it, soak all parts in a mix of 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts warm water for 1 hour. Scrub with a brush, rinse, and air dry completely.

Mould loves three things: moisture, warmth, and darkness. A sealed bottle with leftover tea in an Indian summer is paradise for mould. The lid gasket and strainer mesh are the most common spots because water hides in the tiny gaps.

Mould removal steps:

1. Take the bottle apart completely — lid, gasket, strainer, and bottle body.
2. Mix 1 part white vinegar with 4 parts warm water in a bowl.
3. Soak all parts for 1 hour.
4. Scrub the strainer mesh, lid threads, and gasket with a small brush or old toothbrush.
5. Rinse everything with clean water.
6. Air dry completely. Leave all parts open and spread out — do not reassemble while damp.

If the mould is on the silicone gasket and will not come off, try soaking the gasket in undiluted vinegar for 30 minutes. If it still smells after cleaning, replace the gasket — silicone can absorb mould deep into its pores.

How Do You Clean the Silicone Gasket?

Pull the gasket from the lid. Wash with dish soap and warm water. For deep cleaning, boil it for 5 minutes to kill bacteria and remove absorbed smells. Replace it if it stays smelly or turns discoloured.

The silicone gasket is the rubber ring inside the lid that creates a leak-proof seal. It is also the part most likely to harbour smells and mould because silicone is porous at a microscopic level.

Cleaning tip: after washing, rub a thin layer of baking soda paste on the gasket and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing. Baking soda is a natural odour absorber.

How Do You Prevent Mould During Indian Monsoon?

Never store the bottle sealed while wet. After washing, leave the lid off and the strainer out. Store in an open, airy spot. In monsoon humidity, drying takes longer — use a clean cloth to wipe the inside before storing.

• Always air dry completely before reassembling.
• Store with the lid off or loosely placed.
• Wipe the inside with a dry cloth if you need to store it quickly.
• Deep clean replace the water daily with RO/purifier water — and do a vinegar deep clean every 3–6 months (fill tank with 1L white vinegar + 3L RO water, soak 30–60 minutes, rinse 3–4 times, air-dry) during monsoon season.
• If you use the bottle daily, a quick hot water rinse at night prevents buildup.

Is an Infuser Bottle Dishwasher Safe?

The glass body and steel strainer of most infuser bottles are dishwasher safe on the top rack. But the silicone gasket and some lid components may warp in high heat. Hand washing is gentler and safer for all parts.

The InstaCuppa Glass Tea Infuser Bottle has borosilicate glass that handles dishwasher temperatures. But the lid and gasket are better off hand-washed. When in doubt, check the product manual.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I deep clean my infuser bottle?

Once a week with the baking soda method. In monsoon season or if you brew daily, do it twice a week. Prevention is easier than mould removal.

Can I use bleach to clean my infuser bottle?

Avoid bleach. It can leave a chemical taste and may damage silicone gaskets. White vinegar and baking soda are safer and just as effective.

My bottle still smells after cleaning. What should I do?

Fill it with warm water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Let it soak overnight. If the smell is in the gasket, try boiling the gasket for 5 minutes. If it still smells, replace the gasket.

Can I use a bottle brush for the inside?

Yes. A long-handled bottle brush with soft bristles is ideal for cleaning the inside walls of the glass bottle. Avoid metal or abrasive brushes — they can scratch glass.

How do I prevent tea stains in the first place?

Rinse the bottle right after each use. Do not let tea sit inside for hours. A quick rinse while the tea residue is still fresh prevents most staining.

Related Reads

• Tea Infuser Bottle Leaking? 5 Causes and Easy Fixes
• Borosilicate Glass Bottle: Why It Won't Break Like Regular Glass