So is the time i've been steeping with the lids on wasted?
Not really. Everyone pretty much develops their own steeping routine. Generally I drip test all of my liquids to see if they need to steep. Normally, if I feel they need to steep, I will put them in the cabinet with the lids attached. Sometimes with complex flavors, I remove the lids, squeeze the bottles until the liquid comes up to the top, draw in fresh air, and reapply the lids once or twice in the first week. (Of course, that does not work for the rare glass bottle I get lol) The only time I leave the lids off is if I detect a perfume, chemical, or alcohol taste. Then I will leave the lids off for a day or two before resealing. I try to retest every week or so with a drip atty, but I don't always get to it.