How to Clean Your Olive Oil Bottles for Refills

How to Clean Your Olive Oil Bottles for Refills

At Olive This Olive That, we love it when customers bring their bottles back for our $3 refill discount! You can refill what you've run out of, or fill up your bottles with something new. To ensure your oil stays fresh and delicious, here's how to properly clean your bottles before bringing them in:

Basic Cleaning Method

  1. Initial Rinse: Empty any remaining oil and rinse with very hot water.
  2. Soap Solution: Fill the bottle with hot water and a few drops of unscented dish soap.
  3. Shake Vigorously: Cap the bottle and shake for 30-60 seconds to loosen oil residue.
  4. Bottle Brush: Use a narrow bottle brush to scrub the inside, paying special attention to the bottom and neck areas.
  5. Thorough Rinse: Rinse multiple times with hot water until all soap is removed.
  6. Air Dry: Allow the bottle to drain and air dry completely before bringing it in. Turn upside down on a clean towel to ensure all water drains out.

Deep Cleaning Options

Baking Soda Method

For stubborn residue:

    1. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to your bottle.
    2. Fill with very hot water and let sit for 30 minutes.
    3. Add a splash of vinegar to create a fizzing action.
    4. Shake well, then scrub with a bottle brush.
    5. Rinse thoroughly multiple times with hot water.

Vinegar Solution

To eliminate any lingering odors:

    1. Fill the bottle halfway with equal parts hot water and white vinegar.
    2. Let sit for 30 minutes.
    3. Shake vigorously, then scrub with a bottle brush.
    4. Rinse several times with hot water until vinegar smell disappears.

Dishwasher

    1. Place bottles securely in the dishwasher, opening facing down.
    2. Run on a hot cycle with regular detergent (no rinse aid needed).
    3. Allow to dry completely before bringing in for refill.

Important Tips

  • Ensure Complete Drying: Any water left in the bottle can affect your fresh oil's quality and shelf life.
  • Damaged Labels: If your label gets damaged along the way, we are totally happy to provide a new one.
  • Avoid Scented Soaps: These can leave residues that affect the oil's taste.
  • Caps: If your cap is dirty or gets lost along the way, we can get you a new one when you come in for your refill.

Clean, dry bottles mean fresher oil and a smoother refill experience. Thank you for participating in our sustainability efforts at Olive This Olive That-- we look forward to refilling your bottles soon!

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