Why do my protein shake containers smell like garbage?

March 14, 2009 12:47 PM

Why do my plastic containers smell like garbage after I mix protein shakes in them?

I make 2 whey protein shakes a day. I do my best to clean the container (a standard nalgene container) but regularly, it smells a lot like a garbage container does. I have tried washing it by hand vigorously, even putting it in the dishwasher, but why does this smell happen only with protein shakes? I'm a little puzzled.

It's happened with a variety of brands and types of shakes. I understand it's an issue with cleaning but I'm curious as to what components of the shake would give off that odor. Is there something I can do to sanitize it/switch to another container to avoid the smell?

posted by David Fleming to health & fitness (11 comments total)

It could be the whey - some remnant getting rancid or fermented - or both. TTYTT, I think you really need to be switching containers. Regardless of its fancy plastic name. Garbage smells and health don't gel well. Maybe it's time for some new containers.
posted by watercarrier at 12:58 PM on March 14

Maybe you should use a metal container.
posted by limeonaire at 1:06 PM on March 14

Plastic, unless it is really hard plastic, is a porous material.
I'd second the recommendation to use stainless steel.
posted by tybeet at 1:34 PM on March 14

Even my hard Nalgenes have this problem. I don't use anything other than water, herbal tea, or ultima in plastic. For my protein shakes I use a big glass jar with a screw top lid. Glass doesn't have this problem.
posted by scazza at 1:37 PM on March 14 [1 favorite]

A lot of times I find that a new lid fixes the stinky nalgene problem. The thread for the cap is also a problem area and needs a good scrubbing every once in a while.
posted by fshgrl at 1:42 PM on March 14

Thanks for the answers. A new stainless steel container is on its way. I had never noticed it with other liquids, just the shakes, so the fermenting makes sense.
posted by David Fleming at 2:03 PM on March 14

With Nalgenes, are we talking about mold? That's something different entirely. Absolutely the threading on Nalgenes have a tendency to stay wet and thus get that little thread of mold, smell disgusting, so cleaning the tops and letting them air dry completely easily solves this problem. Really no need for replacement. But the permanent protein shake smell I've found is only remedied by using glass. But I think the trash smell that we're talking about is mold.
posted by scazza at 2:04 PM on March 14

The whey protein will start growing mold faster than any other substance I've ever had the misfortune of leaving out.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 7:03 PM on March 14

Gross. I went through this same problem. I don't know how good of a solution this is, but it works:

Don't mix it with water. Mix it with a high-acid juice (orange). Totally solved the problem for me...but yeah, plastic is porous.
posted by hal_c_on at 1:17 AM on March 15

Maybe it is just me, but I hate plastic containers, I never feel like they are clean. glass or stainless steel!
posted by HuronBob at 5:14 AM on March 15

maybe try a stainless steel cocktail shaker......just a thought
posted by Taurid at 8:31 PM on March 15