Cleaning a nalgene bottle

[Mowgli]

How should I go about cleaning a classic 32oz nalgene bottle. I left it in my car for a few week with sunflower seed shells in it and before that it had some water that had been sitting in it for a few weeks. Yes I know what was I thinking. Well I get a little OCD about this. How should I clean the bottle and not mess the plastic up or cause the plastic chemicals to seep into the water

[AlexW52]

Re: Cleaning a nalgene bottle

I bought a baby's bottle cleaner and use that to clean my water bottles. The one I got has a scrubber and a sponge on it so that you can get in there to the bottom. That will probably help get rid of those seeds.

Good luck!

[hiker11]

Re: Cleaning a nalgene bottle

I'd avoid putting it in the dishwasher just because I did that last year and the cap didnt make it... supposedly it is supposed to be dishwasher safe but you have to position the bottle in a way that the hot water wont directly hit the cap

[immortal_ben]

Re: Cleaning a nalgene bottle

Dishwasher. Cap in top rack, bottle in bottom rack. I have never had a cap melt when it was in the top rack.

Edit: I also store them with the cap off.

[Mowgli]

Re: Cleaning a nalgene bottle

If I'm just using the sink sould I use just soap with warm water? Or hot water?

[immortal_ben]

Re: Cleaning a nalgene bottle

Warm water, hot water...either one will do, along with a bit of soap.

[Yukon Jack]

Re: Cleaning a nalgene bottle

White vinegar works pretty well to rinse the funk out.

[Hikenhunter]

Re: Cleaning a nalgene bottle

Soak in a solution of 1 part clorox to 2 parts hot water. Soak about 30 minutes then scrub with that sponge on a stiok that someone else suggested. Rinse well, air dry and store upside down with the cap off.

[Yukon Jack]

Re: Cleaning a nalgene bottle

Soak in a solution of 1 part clorox to 2 parts hot water. Soak about 30 minutes then scrub with that sponge on a stiok that someone else suggested. Rinse well, air dry and store upside down with the cap off.

I think the bleach works very fast I cant believe it takes 30 minutes. 30 seconds is the same as 30 minutes.

[Hikenhunter]

Re: Cleaning a nalgene bottle

30 seconds will kill bacteria but it takes longer to remove stains

[Hikenhunter]

Re: Cleaning a nalgene bottle

but feel free to try it any way you want

[tplife]

Re: Cleaning a nalgene bottle

Ask a chemist...soap and water rule, unless you have hard water stains and as stated above use dilute acetic acid (read: VINEGAR), rinse, repeat. Many commonly contacted bacteria are actually beneficial in small quantities and shouldn't be feared (think: exercising your immune system). Avoid dishwashers and boiling water as then you risk releasing nasty pthalate compounds that in large quantity can be a health hazard... DON'T GET ME STARTED!

[immortal_ben]

Re: Cleaning a nalgene bottle

Ask a chemist...soap and water rule, unless you have hard water stains and as stated above use dilute acetic acid (read: VINEGAR), rinse, repeat. Many commonly contacted bacteria are actually beneficial in small quantities and shouldn't be feared (think: exercising your immune system). Avoid dishwashers and boiling water as then you risk releasing nasty pthalate compounds that in large quantity can be a health hazard... DON'T GET ME STARTED!

Absolutely awesome statement.

[immortal_ben]

Re: Cleaning a nalgene bottle

Ask a chemist...soap and water rule, unless you have hard water stains and as stated above use dilute acetic acid (read: VINEGAR), rinse, repeat. Many commonly contacted bacteria are actually beneficial in small quantities and shouldn't be feared (think: exercising your immune system). Avoid dishwashers and boiling water as then you risk releasing nasty pthalate compounds that in large quantity can be a health hazard... DON'T GET ME STARTED!

All Nalgene (brand) and most other water bottles for campers/hikers/runners these days do not include this compound.

[Shadow]

Re: Cleaning a nalgene bottle

If it doesn't have any caked on stuff, I would fill it about a quarter full with hot water, put in a drop of detergent, close tightly and shake the hell out of it, then rinse. If there is anything caked on, like if you left juice or coffee in it and it dried up, you can use a bottle brush to scrub it with hot water first, then do the shaking thing. After the soap is rinsed out, put in a little vinegar, shake it up and let it set for 5 minutes, then rinse it clean. Put it on a drying rack or counter to dry out.