Nalgene bottles are durable, but are they dishwasher safe? Once you find the right Nalgene bottle, you want to hang onto it for every adventure, from the family camping trip to your kid’s summer camp. What’s the best way to wash a Nalgene bottle?
Nalgene bottles are dishwasher safe and can withstand high temperatures. But they should be placed on the top rack so they don’t come in contact with the heating element on the dishwasher.
It’s definitely fine to put your Nalgene bottle in the dishwasher if you use care. It is plastic after all, so it shouldn’t be put on the bottom rack in most situations. To learn how to properly care for a Nalgene bottle, read on.
How to Wash Nalgene Bottles in the Dishwasher
Nalgene bottles are dishwasher safe. They can withstand high temperatures, making them the perfect bottle for summer campers and backpackers. But they should be placed on the top rack so they don’t come in contact with the heating element on the dishwasher.
If a Nalgene Bottle Is Too Big for the Dishwasher’s Top Shelf
If your Nalgene bottle is too tall to fit up top in the dishwasher, just wash it by hand. Better safe than sorry. If your dishwasher has a high-heat sanitizing cycle and a heated dry and your bottle is too close to the heating element…you may end up with a warped or melted Nalgene bottle.
By the way, if your Nalgene bottle is that tall, you’re going to need a bottle brush to hand wash it. Without one, you’ll have trouble getting the bottom or the sides clean.
What Is a Nalgene Bottle?
Nalgene bottles are reusable water bottles made of a type of plastic called high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
They can be used for hot or cold liquids. Nalgene bottles are durable and long-lasting, but nalgene-style bottles might not be as heat resistant or dishwasher safe as Nalgene bottles. The advice given here is for Nalgene brand bottles.
Are All Water Bottles Nalgene Bottles?
Nalgene bottles are just one type of water bottle, but there are other types. What’s the best way to wash nalgene bottles? The method is the same for all nalgene-type bottles, including other brands made of similar materials.
If you want to be sure your nalgene bottle or other nalgene knockoff is washable in the dishwasher, read the manufacturer’s directions. While Nalgene bottles are dishwasher-safe, not all nalgene-style bottles are. If you want to be 100% positive it’s safe to wash Nalgene bottles in the dishwasher, check with the manufacturer.
Is Nalgene the Same as BPA-free?
Nope. Nalgene bottles contain high-density polyethylene, not bisphenol A. That said, some Nalgene bottles might be treated with a small amount of bisphenol A as a stabilizer against UV degradation.
How to Wash a Nalgene Bottle When Camping
To clean your nalgene during a camping trip, use soap and water. If you don’t have any handy, foodsafe wipes work in a pinch, but they leave the bottle tasting pretty funky until it dries.
If your bottle is just used for water, you can get away without washing too often. But we all know that things can get pretty funky on a camping trip.
If you don’t have a bottle brush, you can put some gentle soap in your bottle and shake it up really well. Then rinse thoroughly.
Nalgene Bottle Care
Always be sure to allow your nalgene bottle to dry completely before putting it away. If there’s water left in nalgene bottles when you put them away, they’ll grow some pretty funky bacteria.
If Your Nalgene Bottle Cracks
If your bottle develops a crack, don’t use it. Even if it holds your beverage, the crack inside it can collect bacteria that you won’t be able to get out when washing. To be safe, just replace your bottle. If you are on the road and don’t have a choice, then do your best to clean and sanitize before using. Then replace your bottle as soon as you can.