How Long Does Bottled Water Last?
An opened bottle of water is best finished within 1–2 days at room temperature or 3–5 days in the fridge. Unopened commercially bottled water stays safe indefinitely when stored in a cool, dark place, although the taste can decline after 1–2 years.
Bottled Water — opened
shelf life- Unopened: Indefinitely in the fridge
- Home-filled containers: 6 months in the fridge
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below · freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Bottled water is drinking water sealed in plastic or glass. Water itself does not spoil, and the FDA, which regulates it as a packaged food, sets no shelf-life limit for properly stored, unopened bottles. Dates on the label relate to taste and the plastic. Once opened and drunk from, however, the bottle is seeded with bacteria from your mouth.
How to store bottled water
- Store cases in a cool, dark place off a bare garage floor and away from gasoline, paint, pesticides and cleaning products; plastic is slightly permeable and the water can pick up those odors.
- Keep water out of direct sunlight and hot cars for long-term storage, since heat and light degrade the plastic and give the water a stale taste.
- Pour water into a glass if you plan to keep the rest of a large bottle for several days, rather than drinking from it directly.
- For an emergency supply, store at least 1 gallon per person per day for several days, and rotate it on a schedule.
How to tell if bottled water has gone bad
- A plastic, chemical, musty or gasoline-like taste or smell picked up from storage conditions.
- Cloudiness, a green tint or algae, which can develop in opened or home-filled bottles exposed to light.
- A slimy film inside the neck or cap of a bottle that has been refilled repeatedly without washing.
- A seal that is broken or a cap that was not tight when you bought it.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the look, smell or taste of food. Go by the time limits first, and the signs above second.
Bottled Water shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opened | 3–5 days | Not recommended | 1–2 days |
| Shorter if you drank straight from the bottle and it then sat in a warm car or bag. | |||
| Unopened | Indefinitely | Not recommended | Indefinitely |
| Safe without limit if sealed and stored properly; best taste within about 1–2 years of bottling. | |||
| Home-filled containers | 6 months | Not recommended | 6 months |
| Tap water stored for emergencies in clean, food-grade containers should be replaced every 6 months. | |||
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers or it serves no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Does bottled water expire?
No, not in a safety sense. The FDA does not require an expiration date on bottled water and considers unopened, properly stored bottles safe indefinitely. Many bottlers print a date, often about 2 years out, for stock rotation and because the taste may change slowly as the plastic ages. Old water that tastes fine is fine.
Is it safe to drink water left in a hot car?
A sealed bottle that spent a hot day in a car is still safe to drink, though it may taste of plastic, and hot storage is not a good long-term habit. A bottle you already drank from is a different matter: warmth lets mouth bacteria multiply rapidly, so finish it the same day or pour it out.
Can you freeze water bottles?
Yes, freezing bottled water is safe, and frozen bottles make good ice packs for a cooler. The table lists the freezer as not recommended only because freezing adds nothing to the storage life and a completely full bottle can split. Pour off a little first so the ice has room to expand.
How often should stored emergency water be replaced?
Commercially bottled water in its original sealed container does not need replacing on a fixed schedule; check the bottles once a year for leaks and off odors. Water you bottled yourself from the tap should be replaced every 6 months, as recommended by the CDC, in containers that were washed and sanitized first.
Is it okay to refill and reuse plastic water bottles?
It is fine for short-term use if you wash the bottle with hot, soapy water and let it dry between refills. The concern is bacterial buildup in the neck and cap threads, not the plastic itself. Thin single-use bottles crack and scratch easily, so a bottle made for reuse is easier to keep clean.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soda Unopened |
6–9 months | Not recommended | 6–9 months |
| Coconut Water Opened |
1–2 days | 1–2 months | Not safe |
| Tea Brewed |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | 8 hours |
| Coffee Brewed |
3–4 days | 1–2 months | 12 hours |
| Infant Formula Prepared |
24 hours | Not recommended | 2 hours |
| Lemonade Homemade |
5–7 days | 3–4 months | Not safe |
More soft drinks: Protein Shakes.
Reviewed 2026-09-20. Times follow published USDA FoodKeeper / FSIS, FDA and CDC storage guidance; where sources differ we use the shorter time. How we compile this data.