Cleaning Camelbak bottle with bite-valve? I've ordered some of the Camelbak water bottles with the bite-valve since they've gotten such good reviews, but I'm wondering... what's the best way to keep them clean? I usually put my water bottles thru the dishwasher to make sure they get sterilized, but I'm guessing that wouldn't work with the bite valve. Anyone have any methods that work? I hate the idea of germs building up in that thing... Cleaning Camelbak bottle with bite-valve? I've ordered some of the Camelbak water bottles with the bite-valve since they've gotten such good reviews, but I'm wondering... what's the... » Read More Cleaning Camelbak bottle with bite-valve? I've ordered some of the Camelbak water bottles with the bite-valve since they've gotten such good reviews, but I'm wondering... what's the best way to keep them clean? I usually put my water bottles thru the dishwasher to make sure they get sterilized, but I'm guessing that wouldn't work with the bite valve. Anyone have any methods that work? I hate the idea of germs building up in that thing... « Show Less
342687
I put mine in the dishwasher and it gets it completely clean. since the hot temperatures of the dishwasher are hot, I know that my Camelbak is getting clean and sanitized. :) hope this helps
342688
I also used a pipe cleaner (the kind with a few metal strands also works best), to stick in the folding plastic part (not the bite valve). As this gets gunked up also. If you take the long plastic straw off, you can actually get the pipe cleaner all the way through, and you can pull it back and forth. I love this bottle also, but it is something you need to keep up with the cleaning on.
342689
I just wash with detergent and water and let it air dry completely before putting it back on. If I've forgotten to wash it right away and it looks a little grungy I'll roll a corner of a paper towel so it fits in the valve and twist it around a few times. This usually gets everything out. A bottle/nipple brush would probably work better but this works for me. When in doubt I let it soak in bleach water first.
342690
it's made of silicone just like a baby's bottle nipple. so i guess boiling it for a few minutes wouldn't hurt. i clean mine like i clean the baby's nipple. was with soap and water and boil for about 5 mins.
342691
I'm having a problem with staining on the hard plastic under the bit valve. There is a dark brown ring stain that won't come clean with bleach. Although I know it is clean, I don't like the looks of the dark brown ring, which is visible through the bite value. Has anyone found a way to remove this stain?
342692
All I do with my bite valve is remove it, scrub it with a toothbrush and make sure there's nothing in the actual rubber (or whatever material it is) valve itself. If you're super paranoid, I suppose you could use some diluted bleach on any part of it as long as you wash it thoroughly.Edit: Also, for cleaning inside the bite valve once it's off, I've never had to do more than soapy water and a quick finger swipe with my pinky finger. Might be harder for people with big fingers, just shove something in there that won't poke holes in it with some soap and scrape around, you'll be good to go. All I do with my bite valve is remove it, scrub it with a toothbrush and make sure there's nothing in the actual rubber (or whatever material it is) valve itself. If you're super paranoid, I suppose you could use some diluted bleach on any part of it as long as you wash it thoroughly.Edit: Also, for cleaning inside the bite valve once it's off, I've never had to do more than soapy water and a quick finger swipe with my pinky finger. Might be harder for people with big fingers, just shove something in there that won't poke holes in it with some soap and scrape around, you'll be... » Read More All I do with my bite valve is remove it, scrub it with a toothbrush and make sure there's nothing in the actual rubber (or whatever material it is) valve itself. If you're super paranoid, I suppose you could use some diluted bleach on any part of it as long as you wash it thoroughly.Edit: Also, for cleaning inside the bite valve once it's off, I've never had to do more than soapy water and a quick finger swipe with my pinky finger. Might be harder for people with big fingers, just shove something in there that won't poke holes in it with some soap and scrape around, you'll be good to go. « Show Less
342693
I use Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Cleaning Brush, 4 Pack . They work great to get to the insides of the valve, straw and the plastic folding part. I take off the valve and straw and wash everything with dish detergent. I also take everything apart and soak in very warm water and bleach about once a week to take care of any mold.
342694
I stick it in the dishwasher in the basket that I put my baby bottle parts. Works perfectly.
342695
Easy to look on Camelback's website for this info. Which says to NOT use high heat or boiling. Nor should one stick brushes through the sip hole. Soap and water
342696
Use a baby bottle cleaner. It has a small tip for the bite valve and a brush head for the bottle. Works great!
1838674
I have had these bottles for around 5 years now. When the caps gets messed up (the filter valve used to get blocked with the first design) you just email the company and tell them it's not letting water flow. I had to do that twice and both times they replaced it free of charge. Camelbak rocks! Oh also if it's blocked check first that your straw is pushed in all the way. If it's loose it can touch the bottom of the bottle and keep you from getting water.
156560
***** THIS IS HOW TO CORRECTLY FILL THE BOTTLE & INSERT THE FEEDING TUBE******DO THIS CORRECTLY AND YOU WON'T HAVE ANY LEAKS!(this is done with a wine bottle, but same concept, no matter what you're using)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6IeQOPKPn8
1610896
The steam guard does not "clean"; it sterilizes. I put my sippy cups, bottles, nipples, pump accessories, etc in the dishwasher after I used the brush on them. (Formula and breast milk would leave a film the DW couldn't get off alone.) After the DW cycle, I would then sterilize my items. It's a great item for sterilizing but it isn't designed to " clean". Hope this helps.
1188995
Put a bit of soap inside and shake it with warm water, covering the opening with your finger. Then, add hot water to the soap and let it soak a few minutes that way, then rinse well. It is also dishwasher safe, although I have not washed it this way. LOVE this bottle!
1268890
It was a gift for a friend's son and I told them to do what I do with my thermos. Go to the store and purchase some inexpensive denture cleaning tablets. Throw a couple in the bottle over night filled with water, then wash with warm water and soap the next day. You could also use a drop of bleach in water. I keep a baby bottle/glass brush on hand if I have something like juice which is sticky and I want to be a bit more thorough. If you feel there is an after taste issue, you can also soak over night once a week with a teaspoon of baking soda in it. Several options for you, I hope that help. It was a gift for a friend's son and I told them to do what I do with my thermos. Go to the store and purchase some inexpensive denture cleaning tablets. Throw a couple in the bottle over night filled with water, then wash with warm water and soap the next day. You could also use a drop of bleach in water. I keep a baby bottle/glass brush on hand if I have something like juice which is sticky and I want to be a bit more thorough. If you feel there is an after taste issue, you can also soak over night once a week with a teaspoon of baking soda in it. Several options for you, I hope that help.
1785296
It makes a great gravity filter--I purchased some surgical tubing (no memory coils) that attach to each end of the filter. The "uphill" tube inserts into the water source (bucket or bear canister), when with some sucking, the water will siphon up and over the side, and down through the filter, into the downhill tube and your water bottle. I do not use the sawyer bottle, except for storage. Once the first container is filled, others are quickly put in it's place until the source is out of water, and the cycle repeates. I love the backflow syringe for instant cleaning--BEST feature of the whole device! It makes a great gravity filter--I purchased some surgical tubing (no memory coils) that attach to each end of the filter. The "uphill" tube inserts into the water source (bucket or bear canister), when with some sucking, the water will siphon up and over the side, and down through the filter, into the downhill tube and your water bottle. I do not use the sawyer bottle, except for storage. Once the first container is filled, others are quickly put in it's place until the source is out of water, and the cycle repeates. I love the backflow syringe for instant cleaning--BEST feature... » Read More It makes a great gravity filter--I purchased some surgical tubing (no memory coils) that attach to each end of the filter. The "uphill" tube inserts into the water source (bucket or bear canister), when with some sucking, the water will siphon up and over the side, and down through the filter, into the downhill tube and your water bottle. I do not use the sawyer bottle, except for storage. Once the first container is filled, others are quickly put in it's place until the source is out of water, and the cycle repeates. I love the backflow syringe for instant cleaning--BEST feature of the whole device! « Show Less
227815
I mostly just rinse it out real good now and then. I know they make a cleaning solution for them, but I've never it. If you're only filling it with clean tap or purified water I would just occassionly put some clean water and a small amount of household bleach, like 1/4tsp. at most and swish it around real good, squeeze some out thru the tube and bite valve and then thoroughly rinse it, and you should be good to go.
1889051
We have a straw brush (made for Dr. Brown's bottles) that we use... but usually we just disassemble and place the straws in the dishwasher and have never had a problem! I have never noticed any mold growth on our straws, but I wonder if the user who mentioned that does not disassemble the straws prior to cleaning? That is the only explanation I can think of, as this straw does not even have a "no leak" valve...
828414
this eddy bite valve folds down into a groove on the top lid of the camel bak that has the straw to the bottom of the bottle. If you mean by "the thing" as the little notch/lip on top of this rubber valve (shown hanging down in this picture from each valve) that allows you to tip the valve into an upright position, yes, there is a little notch or lip that your finger can then tip the vale upright and then you bite the valve to open it up a bit and drink up through the straw. These are great. Do not put in dishwasher if you use the dry cycle as they will melt. I have the full set and they are terrific.
1841607
For the Outdoor brand, the bite valve simply unscrews and you just screw the new one on. Other brands like Camelback, etc. are different.
293259
I am not use the dishwasher to wash，I just use the liquid to wash！It is a very good bottle，keep warm very good！
1838966
These bottles are really cheaply made and the plastic won't stand up to a lot of heat before it starts to break down, in my opinion. I wouldn't clean with either method you mentioned, just use soap and warm water. Hope this helps! :)
24728
I bought a long handle scrub brush for just this reason. If the water bottle has a wide enough mouth, the brush can clean the whole inside well. I've restored several grungy water bottles this way. So, no dishwasher, and still confidently clean.
171259
All I do with my bite valve is remove it, scrub it with a toothbrush and make sure there's nothing in the actual rubber (or whatever material it is) valve itself. If you're super paranoid, I suppose you could use some diluted bleach on any part of it as long as you wash it thoroughly. Edit: Also, for cleaning inside the bite valve once it's off, I've never had to do more than soapy water and a quick finger swipe with my pinky finger. Might be harder for people with big fingers, just shove something in there that won't poke holes in it with some soap and scrape around, you'll be good to go.
1230876
Idk about a bottle sterilizer (it's just super hot water, yes?) But I wash ours in the sink with her other washables (supply cups, pacifiers, medicine syringes, spoons and forks) before I do the other (adult) dishes. I use the dish cloth to scrub it clean and then use super hot water to rinse it off. Comes out looking like new. I haven't used a bottle sterilizer so I don't know. If it's just really hot water, I don't see why not? I mean, don't back and try to get at me if yours breaks or something. It's just what we do.
2081069
I get the camelbak cleaning kits. They make it really easy to clean. The cleaning kit will include all the instructions you will need!