Sofia Martinez
CamelBak bladders are convenient for biking, hiking, and other outdoor activities. However, some users have complained about a plastic taste in the water. This is due to the porous plastic material the bladder is made of, which can also be caused by the tubing used. While the newer CamelBak bladders are taste-free, some users have resorted to various methods to eliminate the plastic taste, such as using cleaning tablets, scrubbing with baking soda, or soaking the bladder in vinegar or bleach. Others have suggested using an additional water bottle or simply letting the water sit in the bladder to absorb the plastic taste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic taste in CamelBak | Caused by the plasticizers used to keep the plastic soft and flexible |
| Reasons for taste | Left-over chemicals from the manufacturing process, tubing used, or minerals in drinking water |
| Solutions | Rinse with vinegar and water, use cleaning tablets, scrub with baking soda, add a few drops of diluted bleach, use fresh lemon juice, use denture cleaning tablets, use activated charcoal tablets |
| Notes on solutions | Some solutions may require multiple rounds of rinsing, and some may leave a residual taste |
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What You'll Learn
Cleaning tablets
CamelBak offers cleaning tablets to help remove any unwanted tastes or odours from their products. These tablets are designed to deep clean CamelBak reservoirs and water bottles, leaving them sparkling and taste-free. Each pack contains eight notched tablets that can be easily broken in half for cleaning smaller vessels. They are also self-dissolving, which helps to reduce residual taste and odour.
CamelBak cleaning tablets are available for purchase on the official CamelBak website and Amazon. They are also available on Amazon in an all-in-one tool kit for faster cleaning and drying of the CamelBak Crux reservoir. This kit includes brushes designed to reach every corner of the bottle, as well as a reservoir drying rack.
According to customer reviews, the CamelBak cleaning tablets are effective at removing gunk and residue from the water reservoir. Some customers noted that the tablets were easy to use and left no aftertaste. However, others found the tablets to be pricey.
In addition to cleaning tablets, there are several other methods that can be used to remove the plastic taste from a CamelBak. These include using baking soda, vinegar, or a few drops of diluted bleach or lemon juice.
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Bleach
CamelBak bladders are made of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), a lightweight, flexible, and strong material. However, it often leaves a strange plastic or chemical taste in the water. While the plastic taste is not harmful, it can be unpleasant. To eliminate the plastic taste, several methods can be used, including:
Baking Soda and Water
Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with warm water, following the ratio of 1 tablespoon of baking soda to 3/4 quart of water. Let the solution sit in the bladder for 40 minutes to an hour, then rinse thoroughly. This method is recommended by CamelBak and is effective in absorbing the plastic taste.
Lemon Juice and Water
Fill the bladder with a mixture of freshly squeezed lemon juice and hot water. Use at least 1/4 cup of lemon juice per liter of bladder capacity, allowing it to soak for at least 30 minutes before rinsing. Lemon juice is a natural and effective way to remove the plastic taste.
While bleach is primarily used for disinfecting the bladder, it can also help with taste issues. Add a few drops or a half teaspoon of diluted bleach to a full bladder of water. Slosh it around, let it sit for a while, and then rinse thoroughly. However, be cautious as bleach can potentially create carcinogens when combined with certain chemicals.
Vinegar and Water
Fill the bladder with a mixture of vinegar and water, using a ratio of 1 cup of vinegar to 4 cups of water. Let it sit for a while, then rinse thoroughly. Vinegar is effective in sanitizing and removing odours and tastes.
Cleaning Tablets
CamelBak and other brands offer cleaning tablets specifically designed to clean water bladders. Follow the instructions on the package, and ensure you use unflavoured tablets to avoid unwanted flavours.
It is important to note that proper cleaning and maintenance of your CamelBak bladder can help prevent and reduce taste issues. Regularly clean your bladder, especially after prolonged storage or periods of non-use. Additionally, freezing your CamelBak bladder can help eliminate bacteria and odours.
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Lemon juice
If your CamelBak tastes like plastic, there are several ways to remove the taste. Firstly, it is important to ensure that the water you are using is fresh and clean. Before adding new water, rinse the reservoir with warm water to get rid of any lingering flavours from previous drinks.
One of the most popular methods to remove the plastic taste is to use lemon juice. Squeeze at least 1/4 cup of lemon juice per liter of water that your CamelBak holds, then fill it up with hot water. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes, then wash the bladder as normal. Lemon juice is a natural and cheap way to neutralize any off-flavors in the water. However, one user reported that they did not thoroughly rinse their CamelBak after using lemon juice, which resulted in mold growing inside the bag.
Another method is to use cleaning tablets. You can use CamelBak-branded cleaning tablets, or alternatively, use water bottle cleaning tablets or unflavored denture cleaning tablets. These tablets are designed to reduce residual taste and odor and will leave no residue. If you are using denture tablets, make sure they are unflavored, or you may be stuck with a minty taste.
You can also try using baking soda. Add two tablespoons of baking soda to the bladder, fill it with hot water, and let it sit for a couple of hours, then rinse several times.
Other methods include using vinegar, diluted bleach, or simply letting the CamelBak soak in hot water.
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Baking soda
CamelBak bladders are made of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), a lightweight, flexible, and strong material. However, one of its downsides is that it can sometimes give water a strange plastic or chemical taste. This usually occurs when the bladder is new or hasn't been cleaned in a while.
To remove the plastic taste from your CamelBak, there are several methods you can try, including:
- Rinse your CamelBak with warm water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Add a teaspoon or a tablespoon of baking soda to the reservoir. Some sources suggest using two tablespoons.
- Fill the reservoir with hot water (not boiling) and let it sit for at least 30 minutes to a couple of hours.
- Flush out the baking soda solution completely and rinse the CamelBak with clean water.
- Repeat the process if necessary until the plastic taste is gone.
Using baking soda can reduce the use-life of the bladder, so it is recommended to try other methods first, such as cleaning the bladder with soap and warm water or using vinegar or lemon juice. Additionally, it is important to note that while baking soda can remove the plastic taste, it may not be as effective in eliminating the chemical taste that can come from the CamelBak bladder.
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Denture tablets
If your CamelBak water tastes like plastic, there are several ways to fix this. One way is to use denture-cleaning tablets. Although they are not specifically made for hydration systems, they are used by some people as an inexpensive alternative to cleaning tablets.
To clean your CamelBak with denture tablets, fill the bladder with warm water, add 1 denture tablet for each litre of water, and seal it up and shake it. Then, lift the reservoir, letting the tube drape into the sink, and pinch open the bite valve until you see water flowing out. Set it aside and let it soak. If you are using denture tablets, let it sit for 30-45 minutes. Then, fill the bladder and tube again, this time with a mixture of warm water and a little dish soap. Scrub the interior of the bladder and tube, and then thoroughly rinse everything. Let it dry on a hanger for a few days and store it in the freezer.
It is important to note that if you use flavoured denture tablets, you may be left with a minty taste in your CamelBak for a few weeks. Therefore, it is recommended to use unflavoured denture tablets.
Other methods to remove the plastic taste from your CamelBak include using lemon juice, baking soda, vinegar, or bleach.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to get rid of the plastic taste in your CamelBak. One way is to fill the bladder with hot water and leave it to soak for 12-24 hours. You can also try using cleaning tablets, scrubbing with baking soda, or soaking with vinegar.
To prevent your CamelBak from tasting like plastic, you can try to always keep it full of water. The taste will eventually leach out, and then you can dump the water and refill it before use. Alternatively, you can store it in the freezer to prevent anything from growing inside.
The plastic taste in CamelBak products is usually due to volatiles left over from the manufacturing process. While the amount consumed is not large, some people suspect that these chemicals may not be good for your health, especially when combined with chlorine.
