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!
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.
227814
I use a little bleach. From the Camelback website: Wash the reservoir with hot water and mild soap. Be sure to completely rinse away any bleach or cleaning solution before using again. You can also use CamelBak brushes from our Cleaning Kit to scrub your reservoir and tube. Brushes are the best way to ensure you are scrubbing all of the areas of the reservoir clean.Once the reservoir is clean, be sure to air dry the reservoir so no moisture is trapped inside, which can cause mold to grow.A friend of mine keeps his in the freezer. I guess if it's frozen no bacteria can grow. I use a little bleach. From the Camelback website: Wash the reservoir with hot water and mild soap. Be sure to completely rinse away any bleach or cleaning solution before using again. You can also use CamelBak brushes from our Cleaning Kit to scrub your reservoir and tube. Brushes are the best way to ensure you are scrubbing all of the areas of the reservoir clean.Once the reservoir is clean, be sure to air dry the reservoir so no moisture is trapped inside, which can cause mold to grow.A friend of mine keeps his in the freezer. I guess if it's frozen no... » Read More I use a little bleach. From the Camelback website: Wash the reservoir with hot water and mild soap. Be sure to completely rinse away any bleach or cleaning solution before using again. You can also use CamelBak brushes from our Cleaning Kit to scrub your reservoir and tube. Brushes are the best way to ensure you are scrubbing all of the areas of the reservoir clean.Once the reservoir is clean, be sure to air dry the reservoir so no moisture is trapped inside, which can cause mold to grow.A friend of mine keeps his in the freezer. I guess if it's frozen no bacteria can grow. « Show Less
738238
A couple of questions:How old is your bottle?? Often you can get "material" in the various seals which can affect the closure seals. Please check out the bite nipple and clean because you can have some serious "science" experiments.How full do you fill your bottle??I found a little bit of air space stops any possible leaks. I often flip my bottle over and shake it vigorously because you have water in the straw that needs to be drained to ensure minimal leaking.The main thing is that the Camelback bottles will not be as watertight as a screwed top without any drinking straw. I wouldn't trust my bottles if they were on their side without a bit of leakage...Good luck A couple of questions:How old is your bottle?? Often you can get "material" in the various seals which can affect the closure seals. Please check out the bite nipple and clean because you can have some serious "science" experiments.How full do you fill your bottle??I found a little bit of air space stops any possible leaks. I often flip my bottle over and shake it vigorously because you have water in the straw that needs to be drained to ensure minimal leaking.The main thing is that the Camelback bottles will not be as watertight as a screwed top... » Read More A couple of questions:How old is your bottle?? Often you can get "material" in the various seals which can affect the closure seals. Please check out the bite nipple and clean because you can have some serious "science" experiments.How full do you fill your bottle??I found a little bit of air space stops any possible leaks. I often flip my bottle over and shake it vigorously because you have water in the straw that needs to be drained to ensure minimal leaking.The main thing is that the Camelback bottles will not be as watertight as a screwed top without any drinking straw. I wouldn't trust my bottles if they were on their side without a bit of leakage...Good luck « Show Less
1176579
***** 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
676745
If the lid is tight, it does not leak. I use the Camelback Chute top (I swapped it out on this bottle), not this bite valve top, so I can't speak to whether or not the bite valve leaks, but I've used camelbak bite valves in the past and they don't leak.
1522142
They can be removed if you pull hard enough, but to clean the inside of the bite valve you will need to squeeze the bottom half of the bladder for the cleanser from the bladder to go through the tube in the inside of the valve.
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!
879159
I only use these for water so I wash the lid, the mouthpiece & outside with soap & warm water. I swish the inside with soapy water as well & rinse well. I suppose you could use a baby bottle brush.
303033
Yeah, the same thing happened to me. I just kept using the bottle, and I didn't notice any ill effects on my health. If you want you could try to clean it with a tooth brush and some soap. You will have to cut off the plastic ring on the water spout if you want to get in there though.
466614
I use very hot water and a bit of dish washing liquid. I return the top and shake the mixture in the bottle. Then I rinse with very hot water until there is no more residue of the dish washing bubbles. Works well for me. Hope this helps!
2228875
I haven't had to clean mine yet (using it for olive oil), but the top comes off and you could clean it with a bottle brush the same as any other necked bottle.
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.
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.
2052431
Silicone bite valve and BPA-free plastic straw. These are the standard Camelbak Eddy redesigned bite valves (mouthpiece) and straws (draw tube).
1683926
I just cleaned mine actually...I just took it apart entirely and hand washed it like any other bottle...make sure u don't wash the filter though...that was just how I did it!!
291875
Being far to busy and also very hygiene conscious, I always wash them in the machine. I find that putting the mouth piece directly into the line of the spray (fiddle to get a good arrangement) ensures that the bottles are the cleanest drink bottles around (unless you do the old fashioned scrub and boil). In my opinion most drink bottles are bacterial breeding grounds. I am pretty sure that Nalgene also states they are machine washable. I have been using these for many years and have never found any that are better designed for your average everyday activities and for easy thorough cleaning. And they look nice and clean. Being far to busy and also very hygiene conscious, I always wash them in the machine. I find that putting the mouth piece directly into the line of the spray (fiddle to get a good arrangement) ensures that the bottles are the cleanest drink bottles around (unless you do the old fashioned scrub and boil). In my opinion most drink bottles are bacterial breeding grounds. I am pretty sure that Nalgene also states they are machine washable. I have been using these for many years and have never found any that are better designed for your average everyday activities and for easy thorough cleaning.... » Read More Being far to busy and also very hygiene conscious, I always wash them in the machine. I find that putting the mouth piece directly into the line of the spray (fiddle to get a good arrangement) ensures that the bottles are the cleanest drink bottles around (unless you do the old fashioned scrub and boil). In my opinion most drink bottles are bacterial breeding grounds. I am pretty sure that Nalgene also states they are machine washable. I have been using these for many years and have never found any that are better designed for your average everyday activities and for easy thorough cleaning. And they look nice and clean. « Show Less