Whether you are the outdoor type, you love the gym or you have long office hours, a water bottle could be your best friend. It is no surprise why such bottles are everywhere these days. The HydroFlask is among the top-rated options on the market – you can find it in specialty stores, but you will also spot it in posh gyms or on cyclists’ bikes.
However, just like any other vessel, the HydroFlask requires a bit of cleaning every now and then. Since it is such a sophisticated piece, it obviously comes with a few instructions as well. Sure, you can just rinse it a little, but what do you do when you want a more thorough cleaning? At this point, you probably ask yourself – are HydroFlasks dishwasher safe?
Introducing the popular HydroFlask
The HydroFlask is basically a water bottle – like millennials like to refer to it. The bottle for water is not just a random vessel. Instead, it is made of food grade stainless steel. Based on the advertising and a few reviews from current users, it seems it can keep your liquids cool for over 24 hours. It is just as handy if you want to carry tea or coffee, as it keeps liquids hot for over 12 hours.
Whether you are after warm water or cold drinks, the secret is in the insulation. The Hydro Flask comes with a double wall vacuum insulation. It is superior when it comes to maintaining temperatures – about two times more efficient than other bottles for water out there. Believe it or not, you may just as well throw some ice into the Hydro Flask and you sill have solid water after a few hours.
Given the stainless steel design, the water bottle is extremely lightweight. It also has a metal disk on the inside – its main role is to absorb moisture. As a direct consequence, you can forget about that annoying condensation on the outside – this is the first sign of a low-quality bottle. Talking about the outside, you get a proprietary coat that ensures a good grip and durable looks.
In terms of health and safety, professional-grade stainless steel prevents bacteria from kicking in. No matter what you choose to take inside, the bottle will never get funny tastes or odors once cleaned. Plus, once you are done with it (after many years of uses), it is 100% recyclable. Since the stainless steel is BPA free it is perfectly safe.
The customization is not to be overlooked either – lots of sizes and models to choose from.
But back to things that interest you, how do you keep such water bottles clean? Are HydroFlasks dishwasher safe? Do you have to clean them by hand? What do you need to hand wash them?
Why does a Hydro Flask need cleaning?
Before learning how to clean one of the best bottles for water, you need to understand why you have to do it. Obviously, if you are about to store some juice, coffee or tea, you will need some cleaning. But if you only use it for cold water in the gym or while you go out cycling, why would you need to clean the Hydro Flask?
Whenever you take a sip, you will allow germs in. Those germs will transfer to the drink. They will not kill you, but with time, bacteria can also accumulate. Both bacteria and dirt can affect the outside powder coat too. They can cause discoloration, not to mention health-related issues. Besides, the rarer you clean it, the harder it will be to maintain it.
The good news is that the best water bottles out there are made of stainless steel. In other words, if you have used plastic bottles before, you will notice a major difference in cleaning – stainless steel is so much easier to maintain. It will not get scratched and stained like plastic, while its natural capabilities tend to push bacteria away.
Simply put, the flask does require cleaning. You need to clean the whole thing on the inside and the outside, as well as the hydro flip and wide straw opening. Now, how do you actually do it? Is HydroFlasks dishwasher safe?
How to clean a Hydro Flask
A bottle brush is the best option out there. You can buy it from any random store. A straw cleaner is also needed though, especially if you get the model with the wide straw. You can use the brush as often as you want – ideally, after every flask use. Make sure you clean the brushes as well, as cleaning with a dirty product will not do any good. Soapy water is also great for daily brush cleaning.
If you use the water bottle for more than just water, you should bring in a few other substances too. For example, distilled vinegar is excellent for deeper cleaning. Not only does it remove stains, but it also leaves it fresh. Just throw half a cup of vinegar in the bottle, swirl it and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Just rinse with some warm water.
Lemon juice is just as efficient. It removes odors and stains, yet they are less likely to affect the Hydro Flask anyway. It is acidic, so it is great against microbes. Squeeze the juice out of half a lemon inside the Hydro Flask, throw some warm water in it and let it sit for half an hour. You can repeat the process if you feel like it needs more cleaning.
While baking soda is not always recommended, it comes in handy if you fail to look after your flask. Assuming you have a stubborn stain that refuses to go away, mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with some warm water. Stir to come up with a thick paste and use the bottle brush on it. Rinse with some warm water.
Are HydroFlasks dishwasher safe?
The answer is yes and no. In other words, some parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher, while others should not get in there. The hot soapy water and intense cleaning procedure can ruin the flask, yet some parts will benefit from the procedure. In other words, never put your Hydro Flask into a dishwasher. Also, do not soak the outside in very hot water. Too much hotness will ruin the insulation.
Plus, the dishwasher will ruin the external coating. The washing agent mixed with hot water will negatively interact with the coating and lead to discoloration. The same issue may arise if you soak the Hydro Flask in hot water. It will affect the outside and ruin its beautiful appearance. War water is alright, but hot water is contraindicated.
Some parts can be washed in the dishwasher though. Do not put your Hydro Flask into a dishwasher, but you can throw the flip lid and the wide straw lid in there. Do not expect wonders though. If you can wash them by hand, go for it. There will be no actual differences. Besides, the Hydro Flask manufacturer recommends hand washing everything. If you have to do it in there, go for it, but these parts only.
The most common issues arise by the caps. There are lots of crevices on them, so these are the most problematic spots to clean. Get the bottle brush out and make sure you reach everything. These are the areas where bacteria might accumulate, so never overlook them.
Common mistakes when cleaning a Hydro Flask
So, are HydroFlasks dishwasher safe? Some parts are, but ideally, you should clean everything by hand. Now, apart from throwing the flask in the dishwasher, soaking it in hot water is one of the most common mistakes out there.
The cleaning product is a harsh chemical that will affect the coating and insulation. When mixed with hot water, the situation becomes even more severe.
From the same point of view, avoid other chemicals when cleaning your Hydro Flask. You can use a bit of soap, but this is it. Chlorine or bleach will most likely damage it. Not only do they destroy stainless steel in the long run, but they will also affect the beautiful powder coat.
Last, but not least, make sure you clean the HydroFlask often. Even if you mostly use it for water, it is still recommended cleaning it after each use.
Frequently asked questions
Here are a few issues you might encounter as you clean your Hydro Flask.
What happens if Hydro Flask goes in the dishwasher?
The insulation and powder coat are likely to be affected, meaning the efficiency and looks of your flask are gone.
How do I clean a HydroFlask?
A bottle brush will do the trick. You are supposed to clean everything by hand, yet some plastic parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
What water bottles are dishwasher safe?
The quick answer is – cheap bottles. Plastic bottles are usually dishwasher safe. Simply check out the manufacturer’s instructions. High-quality bottles are usually washed by hand.
How often should you wash your Hydro Flask?
Ideally, you should give it a quick wash after every use. The whole process barely takes a few minutes.
Conclusion
The bottom line, are HydroFlasks dishwasher safe? No, they are not. While a few parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher, the manufacturer recommends hand washing for every single part. This is the optimal way to ensure you do not damage any parts, the material or the powder coat.
Cleaning your Hydro Flask is relatively simple and does not require too much work. A bottle brush and some warm water will get the job done in no time. Also, try to clean it as often as possible – the outside requires protection against bacteria too.
