How Long Can Water Sit Out And Does It Go Bad?

Water is the most basic and important need of every living creature on the earth. Without water, not even a plant can survive for long. It is an essential element made by God to survive in this world. Water is in shortage in many places on this earth. People who live in such places store water in excess for living.

While storing water, people may come up with the question that whether water can stay good if kept outside or not. When we buy water from stores, you can see an expiration date on them. This proves that water can go bad after some time and under conditions.

How Long Can Water Sit Out?

The shelf life of water is indefinite. Water itself does not go bad. Some conditions like the temperature, bacteria, and the container in which water is present, make the water bad. Although store-bought water bottles come with an expiration date, there is a certain time of 2 years that is considered the shelf life of water.

Everything you have to do to make the water stay good on your kitchen shelf is to store it properly. You can take some reusable water bottles or water cans. The thing is that water should be covered and not exposed to air. Dust and debris may enter the water, making it unhealthy.

What Happens If Water Sits Out Too Long?

Water remains completely healthy and safe to drink even if left out too long. As long as the water is stored in closed bottles or cans, the taste and quality of water will be 100 percent perfect. So make sure that the bottles or cans you are using are airtight and should be clean.

Sometimes people prefer tonic water instead of simple mineral water. They add fresh veggies or fruits to the water to get hydrated. This type of water can go bad after a certain time. Either you will have to store it in the fridge for longer use or drink it within 2 hours.

How Long Can Water Be In The Car For?

If you are carrying water bottles along with you on a trip, you may get worried about the water quality. Worry less because the water stays good for a long period. All you should do is make sure that the plastic water bottles are not placed in direct sunlight.

Direct sunlight or any heat source makes the plastic melt. Thus the particles of melting plastic enter the water present inside them, making the water change its taste. You should not drink such water as there are chances of illness.

What Should You Do If Water Is Left Out Too Long?

Water doesn’t go bad if left out at room temperature. As long as the water is kept in your pantry at a cool and dry place, the water will remain perfectly alright. You do not have to refrigerate simple water until you want some cool water.

If we talk about tonic water, the fruits or vegetables inside the water can go bad, making the whole water spoil. If left outside, tonic water can go bad after a certain time. You will need to discard the whole bottle. You can use the best fruit infuser water bottles to store tonic water.

Does Water Go Bad If Not Refrigerated?

Water remains good and healthy if not refrigerated. There is no need to refrigerate plain water until it’s very hot outside and you want some cool water. Water remains safe to drink as long as it is placed in covered glasses, bottles or cans.

If you have some plastic water bottles at home, you should avoid placing them in a hot environment. This is because the plastic can melt at a hot temperature that makes the water go bad too. So you can refrigerate the plastic water bottles if it’s hot outside.

Does Water Go Bad If You Lose Power?

If you are worried about your refrigerated water during power loss, read on. Water has no connection with refrigerating. Plain water remains perfect even if kept in your pantry. It will stay good as long as it is placed in a dark and cool place.

What Temperature Is Safe for Water?

The ideal temperature to store water is between 50 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also go below this temperature range to cool the water. Water remains good until it is stored properly.

If the water remains uncovered and you see any water particles, you should not drink it anymore. You can also use water softener salts if you feel like the water has a high content of minerals

How To Store Water?

Like other liquid products, you can also store water in many ways to increase its shelf life. As in some areas, there is a shortage of water. So, people tend to store water for a long period. IF you want to store the water for drinking and cooking purposes for a longer period, you need to follow things.

Store in a cool and dark place

You should store the water in a cool and dark place. Please keep it away from cleaning products, gasoline, paints, and other toxic materials. It will stay fresh in a cool and dark place for a long time.

Don’t place it in the sunlight.

You cannot place water under the sunlight for a longer period. Otherwise, the process of evaporation will start, and all the water will get evaporated. It would be best for you to keep the bottle of water away from the sunlight. And keep the bottles sealed tightly.

One of the common problems of placing water in the sunlight is that the chemicals from the plastic container heat and leak into the water in sunlight. Due to this, the water does not remain fresh at all, and it is very harmful to drink that water.

Store in the refrigerator

you can store water in the refrigerator for a long period. In summer, most people use the water and then put it directly in the refrigerator for cooling. Water also cools and stays fresh in the refrigerator for a longer period.

So you can help the water for staying fresh for a longer period by storing it in the refrigerator.

Boil water

Boiling is the best method to purify and increase the shelf life of water. Due to boiling, bacteria that can spoil the water dries, and the shelf life of water is also increased. The water becomes safer for drinking purposes.

To boil water, take a steel container and pour the amount of water you want to boil in that. Heat it until it reaches its boiling point.

Can You Freeze Water?

Water can be stored in the freezer for a longer period. It is very easy to freeze the water. Water freezes more quickly and fine in the freezer. In summers, water is stored in the freezer for some time to get ice. Ice is known as the solid form of water that is used in cold drinks and to cool water.

Water freezes at 0 degrees Centigrade. Freshwater can be stored in the freezer for a very long period retaini9ng its best quality.

How Long Does Water Last?

The shelf-life of water is indefinite. It cannot go bad. Even the bottled water can last for many years. Water itself does not go bad, and it is the packaging, bacterial and environmental factors that spoil the water. The shelf life of water depends on its preparation method and the conditions in which it was stored.

If water is stored in good conditions, then it will last for as long as possible. However, the average lifetime of an unopened bottle of water is almost two years. At the same time, vitamin water lasts up to nine months in the pantry and the refrigerator.

High chemicals from the plastic bottle leak in the water at high temperature, these chemicals affect the freshness and the quality of the water. So it is recommended to use the bottle of water as soon as possible.

How To Tell If Water Is Bad?

As we have mentioned above that pure water has no taste, no color, and no smell. If you notice any change in its taste, color, and smell, then it means that the water has lost its freshness. If the water is not fresh and still you are using it, it can be very dangerous for your health. If you are not sure whether the water is healthy or not, you need to take care of the following things:

• Freshwater has no taste. So to check the quality of water, give it a good sniff. If it smells bad, then you should avoid using it.
• Check the taste of the water. If it tastes bitter or salty, then you should not drink it.
• If you notice any particles inside the water, you should not use them as well.

Sources

• Greener choices
• The kitchn
• Reader’s digest