Your senses are smarter than a lab coat. If water smells like pool chlorine, it’s fine—that’s just adding extra sanitizer, but it’s safe. If it smells like rotten eggs, you’ve got sulfur bacteria or a corroded pipe. Do not drink it. That’s not seasoning.
How to Tell if a Hot Water Bottle is Out of Date: Signs to Watch For
If the water looks cloudy, stir it up. Tiny bubbles are normal. But if it’s got floaty green chunks (algae) or a slimy film (biofilm), you’ve hit the jackpot of gross. Dump it. Your stomach will send you a thank-you card. And if the bottle is bulging like it’s about to hatch an alien—run. That’s fermentation, baby. You’ve accidentally made water kombucha.
