How often do you use a spray bottle of water? I bought a bottle awhile back and used it a day or two so I emptied it and put it away. I got it out the other day to use it. Put water in it and sprayed and it had smelled musty. How do you keep your bottle from doing this when you don't use it that often?

i use one occasionally...it is a small one i got at the dollar store.
when i am pressing a yard or more,prior to cutting, i lightly spray the whole thing as it sits on the ironing board. to relax the wrinkles..

i think if you leave the top off it, it would dry and not get the musty smell.

my spray bottle has lived on the end of my ironing board for the past 40 years...it is always there, and always full. i have never had a problem with 'musty-water' maybe because i use it eveyday. i never put water into my iron...i hate sputtering/leaking irons so i use my spray bottle, i'd be lost if someone ever (put it away).for your situation i would clean the bottle with a bleach/soap/ water solution(to kill any mold) then rinse well and let dry then smell it to see if i got rid of the odor. if you are only going to use it occassionly i would make sure to empty it, give it a good baking soda/water rinse, let dry totally then put it away to keep it fresh for the next time, maybe put it away with the sprayer separate from the bottle so no moisture is trapped inside to mold.

Any container that will not be used for a while must be dried out before closing it up. I leave bottle, etc. upside down in the dish washer until they are thoroughly dry before putting the cap/top back on.

OMG Ckcowl--I thought I was the only one with 40 year old items (other than DH). I just replaced my ironing board cover and iron after 40 years (they were weddding gifts!). I hate the new iron and I'm not real happy with the cover. (Still happy with DH).
My water bottle is always used-I also never put water in my iron. I've never had a musty smell but if I did, I'd toss it and go to the dollar store for another.

I use mine all the time.

Try putting water and a few drops of bleach in the bottle and spray it through for a minute. Then empty and let it air dry. That should take care of any mustiness. :-D