Lol I used to keep Captain Morgan in the freezer... But I wasn't injecting it and a 100 proof is a "tad" more than .9%.
Storing in the fridge makes sense to me, but I'd think that if it stored better in the fridge, the manufacturer would say to store it in the fridge, not room temp.
But they also say to toss it after 28 days and many use it for 2-3 months.
Yeah, I couldn't find anything about temp other than the recommended storage at room temp.
Maybe the recommendations are designed to sell more product...
Text below is AI generated, so whether you trust it or not is up to you - but it makes sense to me.
In theory it could last a very long time - probably until it's empty. But that would require a perfectly sterile environment and no fluctuations in storage conditions etc. So in practice I probably wouldn't keep a bottle more than 2-3 months. But I'm also fine with just using sterile water, so I'd say it's up to everyone to consider whether they would take a small risk of getting an infection to save a couple $
Storage Recommendations and Shelf Life of Bacteriostatic Water
Bacteriostatic water contains
benzyl alcohol, which acts as a preservative, allowing the solution to be used multiple times by inhibiting bacterial growth. Proper storage and handling are essential to maintain its effectiveness and safety.
Why Store at Room Temperature?
Storing bacteriostatic water at
room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F) is optimal for several reasons:
- Preservative Stability: Benzyl alcohol is most stable and effective at room temperature. Refrigeration can cause precipitation or reduce its bacteriostatic properties.
- Avoiding Condensation: Refrigerating and removing the vial from cold storage can lead to condensation, increasing the risk of contamination.
- Maintaining Chemical Stability: Temperature fluctuations, such as those from refrigeration, may degrade the solution over time.
28-Day Recommendation After First Use
It is recommended to discard bacteriostatic water
28 days after opening, even though it’s designed for multiple uses. This is a safety precaution due to:
- User Handling Errors: Each time the vial is accessed, the risk of contamination increases, especially if sterile techniques aren’t strictly followed.
- Practical Concerns: The 28-day limit ensures safety under typical conditions, where minor user errors might introduce bacteria.
Could It Last Longer with Proper Handling?
Theoretically, bacteriostatic water could have an
unlimited shelf life after opening if perfect
sterile techniques are followed consistently, including using new sterile needles and properly disinfecting the stopper before every use. Under ideal conditions, the benzyl alcohol would continue to inhibit bacterial growth indefinitely.
However, the
28-day rule exists because achieving absolute sterility is difficult in real-world settings, and small user errors could introduce contamination over time.
Conclusion
While bacteriostatic water
could last indefinitely with perfect handling, the
28-day guideline is a conservative safety measure due to the risk of contamination. Storing it at
room temperature ensures stability, and while it may remain effective beyond 28 days under ideal conditions, the rule minimizes risks in typical use.