Bottles and Water Bags...CLEANING Methods, tried and true?

[Joezilla]

I keep trying to figure out better ways to clean out my water bottles. I have one of those really long nalgenes, and accidentally left it in my car for two weeks while camping. The smoothy shake I made in it had ran its course, and it has the funk, non-parliament style.

Methods for cleaning:
Hot water
Baking soda
Denture Cleaners


What other methods am I forgetting. Do you have some tried and true method for cleaning your dromedary delectables?

 

[Idaho Jarhead]

I like to soak mine in hot water and bleach. Kills all the smells and whatever else is growing in there.

 

[Wandering_About]

Bleach is always good.

 

[haloblue]

I'm going to give a positive vote for denture cleaners.

Small, light and portable. Publix has a flavorless/tasteless version that doesn't leave that minty fresh aftertaste.

 

[tenkara]

Amen on the denture cleaners. If you look at the fancy bottle cleaning tabs from SIGG, (which cost way too much) you'll see that they are nothing more than denture cleaners which are much much cheaper an just as portable.

 

[aarya]

If you've a really gunky one on your hands, i'd suggest vinegar and baking soda combined. The vinegar activates the baking soda better than just water, i've read.
Other than that, i've no real suggestion.
(I'd be careful about chemical cleaners like bleach though. Could be nasty, if you didn't manage to get it all out.)

 

[Horn Dog]

Being a home brewer, I have the bottle cleaning routine down. I use a bottle brush and clean them with my other dishes. Then I spray the inside with Idophor, and rinse with the Jet Spray bottle washer. No problem.

 

[August West]

Gonna have to try that denture cleaner, seems like a good idea, I have a nalgene that is pretty stained with tea, should be a good test subject. Chris

 

[Horn Dog]

If you've a really gunky one on your hands, i'd suggest vinegar and baking soda combined. The vinegar activates the baking soda better than just water, i've read.
Other than that, i've no real suggestion.
(I'd be careful about chemical cleaners like bleach though. Could be nasty, if you didn't manage to get it all out.)

Bleach works. Just be sure to give it a good rising. Chlorine bleach is probably the cheapest way to go. It not only removes stains, it disinfects very well. About 4 oz / gallon of water is sufficient. To be practical, just pour a little bleach in the bottle, add some water, put the lid on and shake it well. Then give it a triple rinse so that you can no longer smell the bleach.

 

[Mannlicher]

the product called "dip-it", which is really for cleaning your coffee stuff, works excellently on Nalgene and on hydration bladders.

 

[paleojoe]

This is why I have non-stick, stainless steel canteens without coatings. Just boil a little water in it, and clean! Occasionally a hot rag to scrub... Boiling water kills it all...Also, stainless canteens make great 'heat buddies' when its cold out! I put hot tea in mine before I go to sleep...

 

[Ebbtide]

I used denture cleaner on my camelback bladder.
Nasty aftertaste even with many rinses.
Must be me.

Maybe I'll try bleach before I buy a new one.

 

[cssims]

I typically use hot water & baking soda. No recipe or anything just dump a bunch of soda in, add hot water, shake, and let sit a while. If it still doesn't seem clean, repeat process as needed.

One thing I've noticed about the new Nalgene Everyday bottles is that they seem to adopt and keep odors more than the old ones.

funk, non-parliament style

Dude that was funny!

Solid!

 

[Bolt-action bultema]

Boil it in a huge stockpot. No nasty chemicals, cleans inside and out, and NOTHING is as effective as heat for killing microorganisms. I like to store mine pasteurized.

 

[bladz]

Another bleach user. I put a cap full or so in my bladders filled with water.

 

[Marion David Poff]

If it is really funky, like if whey has been allowed to work it's magic....

Soap and Water first.... And a good scrubbing to remove the debris....

Then bleach.... Which is like the best, ever... I just leave it overnight, which is no big deal, as I own enough Nalgene to start a lab.

And, if you get the bleach too strong, a soaking with just water to rid the bottle of the slight bleach odour.

Note - Bleach works effectively at a lukewarm temperature, hotter is not better. So, don't use cold water, don't use hot water, use both. Just a friendly reminder : ). Not necessarily for the posters or the OP, but for those who may read this later... The details matter....

Marion

 

[daddÿ]

Note - Bleach works effectively at a lukewarm temperature, hotter is not better. So, don't use cold water, don't use hot water, use both. Just a friendly reminder : ). Not necessarily for the posters or the OP, but for those who may read this later... The details matter....

Marion

Another thing to remember when using bleach to clean and more specifically sanitize is to make sure the PH balance is at the proper point by using vinegar. For most peoples water you will need to do the following.

Step 1: Clean/scrub water containing vessel
Step 2: Add water, fill about 1/2 way
Step 3: Add small amount of bleach to the water, mix around THEN.....
Step 4: Add a small amount of vinegar to the water
Step 5: Fill rest of the way with water and let sit for 2 minutes.

Remember. Never mix the bleach and vinegar directly with one another. Doing so will release toxic chlorine gas. Also, when using bleach as a sanitizer make sure to replace your bleach often as it becomes less effective over time. Also if possible buy cheap store brand scentless bleach as well its better than the other stuff.

More information can be had in the podcast "Basic Brewing Radio March 29, 2007 - Sanitizing with Bleach and Star San"


daddÿ

 

[mcjhrobinson]

i bleach mine overnight then boil....

camelbacks are tricky to dry...but if you get a hanger cut it and stick it in there it helps!

 

[Sharp Eye]

I rinse mine with Listerine Mouthwash after use and then either dry them or store them in the freezer to keep the nasties from growing.

 

[dartanyon]

Maybe milton and a bottle brush ... the way I used to clean and sterilise baby bottles?