Trust your nose. If it smells off—musty, sour, or like a pool—dump it. Your senses are smarter than any expiration date.
Look for floaties. Is there a weird film on top? Is the water cloudy? Those are red flags.
But here’s the hilarious truth: most people can’t tell the difference. In blind taste tests, week-old tap water and fresh water taste identical. It’s all in your head.
The "Guilty Bottle" Phenomenon
We’ve all done it. You find a bottle under your bed. It’s been there for months. You’re thirsty. You hesitate.
Here’s the rule: if you can’t remember opening it, don’t drink it. If you remember it from a different season of your life, definitely don’t.
That water isn’t a beverage. It’s a time capsule. Respect the mystery and pour it down the drain.
