Why can I still smell orange in a bottle that I have washed 10x?

Citrus is stubborn.

But really, glass can’t be impervious, things are bumpy when you get real close, and I imagine scents are real small. You get really bumpy and really small together and they get to be really good friends.

There is no real science in my answer.

Give bleach a shot.

Bleach is simply amazing. Just ask any CSI.

I would love to know as well . it is intriguing.

The smell is due to the oily substances in orange.
Is the top (bottle closure) plastic? If so, ridding the smell from the plastic is difficult.
For the bottle try a dilute solution of lye (sodium hydroxide), let it soak for a day or so and then scrub vigorously.
Lye is extremely caustic and can cause severe burns if handled improperly, but safe handling will be problem free.

Jars that had salsa in them retain the odor for a long time, also. What does “repurposed” mean. Is that a new verb? Is “to purpose” a verb?

@jvor
u mean by neutralising the acid using alkaline?

you don’t happen to be using a dish soap with an added citrus scent do you?

Gail: Old verb.

@mea05key: “u mean by neutralising the acid using alkaline?”
Not neutralize, hydroxide solutions will saponify the oil (ie combine with the residiual oil in order to allow it to wash out.