Hydro flasks are a type of drinking flask that have started to appear everywhere over the past couple of years. They are flasks designed to keep water at cold temperatures regardless of the climate you are in.
If you have recently bought a hydro flask, you are probably wondering what the cleaning process entails. In this article, we will be looking at whether you can use a dishwasher to clean these magic flasks or whether you are better off handwashing them. We’ll also take a deeper look into the benefits of hydro flasks.
What Are Hydro Flasks?
Hydro flasks were launched in 2009 but have only really gained in popularity over the past three years. They are drinking flasks made out of stainless steel with a unique insulation system called TempShield. The combination of the stainless steel and the TempShield means that you can keep hot drinks warmer and cold drinks colder for a significant period of time.
Due to the popularity of the standard drinking flask, Hydro Flask has expanded its range of products to the point now where they sell flasks for alcohol and food containers which do much the same thing.
The standard hydro flask is still by far the most popular product they sell, but what else is it that has seen them take off in recent years?
Why Have Hydro Flasks Become So Popular?
As we’ve already mentioned, the number one benefit of hydro flasks is their ability to keep liquids at the same temperature they were when you first put them into the flask. On top of that, there are a number of other reasons why they have seen a boom in recent years. These are as follows:
1. They are environmentally friendly
Over the past couple of years, young people have understandably started to become more and more concerned about the environment and the potential disaster heading our way.
Becoming more environmentally conscious has involved people removing single-use plastics from their lives. A hydro flask is a perfect alternative to a traditional single-use water bottle and one that can be used indefinitely providing you learn how to wash it properly (more on that shortly).
2. They are durable
Stainless steel is a durable metal that can stand the test of time. It would take a lot to cause significant damage to the flask so those who buy this product are safe in the knowledge that the flask is a long-term investment.
Many people who buy and use hydro flasks are active individuals who enjoy activities such as running, walking, cycling and hiking. The stainless steel is easy to grip, regardless of sweat, meaning that you can take your flask out with you on activities without any issues arising.
Not only that, but the material of the flask isn’t going to have an impact on the flavor of your drink, unlike certain plastics and metals.
3. They come with a lifetime warranty
Purchasing hydro flasks directly from the company that created them comes with an added benefit of a lifetime warranty. Hydro flasks are so confident that their product is durable and the best one on the market that if there are any defects on the flask they will refund you and provide you with a direct replacement.
Are Hydro Flasks Dishwasher Safe?
When it comes to washing flasks and bottles, it’s only natural to want to take the easy way out and use a dishwasher. However, are these hydro flasks suitable for dishwasher cleaning? The answer depends on which model of hydro flask you are using.
If you are using a hydro flask that was created in the year 2020 or later then your flask is safe for dishwasher cleaning. However, if you own a hydro flask that was manufactured earlier than that then you should avoid dishwasher cleaning at all costs. The key difference between products created post-2020 and those created before 2020 is that all hydro flasks now come with a powder coating that protects the exterior from extreme temperatures.
As we have learned, the inside of a hydro flask is an incredible insulator. However, on hydro flasks created before 2020, the exterior had very little protection. When you put items through a dishwasher, they are exposed to very high temperatures which have the potential to permanently damage the hydro flasks without this powder coating.
Once they are damaged and the insulation is ruined, the hydro flask has lost its main selling point and it is almost worthless to you. Therefore, take the time to hand wash your hydro flask if you bought it before 2020.
For hydro flasks bought post-2020, we would still urge you to exercise caution when it comes to using a dishwasher to clean it. Although the official guidance suggests that they will be absolutely fine, we would still recommend that you hand wash them to be on the safe side. If you insist on using a dishwasher, then set the temperature to somewhere between 90°F to 110°F.
Are Hydro Flask Lids Dishwasher Safe?
When it comes to washing any associated lids, caps, or straws, the advice also depends on which product you have. The following hydro flask lids are all okay to be washed in a dishwasher:
- Hydro Flip Lid
- Wide Mouth Flex Sip Cap
- Wide Mouth Straw Lid
The Hydroflask website outlines that these lids should be washed on the top rack of a dishwasher but does warn that by using a dishwasher you are running the risk of them not lasting as long.
The following lids are not okay to be washed in a dishwasher under any circumstances:
- Standard Mouth Flex cap
- Standard Mouth Sports Cap
- Standard Loop Cap
- Stainless Steel Flat Cap
- Wide Mouth Flex Cap
- Wide Mouth Flat Cap
- Narrow Loop Cap
The Hydroflask website states that these lids would absorb too much water via a dishwasher clean and could potentially be permanently ruined.
How To Clean A Hydro Flask
If you decide to hand wash your hydro flask, then there are a couple of options available to you for an effective result. They are as follows:
1. Use a bottle-cleaning brush
A long-handled cleaning brush is probably your best bet for cleaning a hydro flask, just as it is for cleaning any brush. They are specifically designed for cleaning brushes with the bristles entering through the neck of the bottle to access the entire flask.
To use a bottle cleaning brush to clean your hydro flask, rinse the flask out with water and squirt some dish soap inside it. Then, grab the brush and start scrubbing the whole inside of it thoroughly. Once you’ve finished scrubbing, rinse it again with hot water and then leave it on a drying rack to dry.
2. Use vinegar
While you may be used to using vinegar as a condiment for certain meals, it also contains certain ingredients which make it a brilliant cleaning tool. The ingredient in question is acetic acid which works superbly against stains and rust. Every white vinegar in the world will contain this acid to varying degrees so elect to use this type of vinegar if you go down this route.
To effectively clean your hydro flask with vinegar, pour half a cup of it into your hydro flask along with some water and swirl it around. Leave it in there for a few minutes and then rinse it all out with some hot water and dish soap. Don’t leave the vinegar in your flask for longer than two minutes otherwise your run the risk of your hydro flask permanently smelling like vinegar.
3. Use baking soda
Another unusual cleaning method you should consider to wash your hydro flash is the baking soda method. Baking soda, when mixed with water, can dissolve dirt and grease much more effectively than most other substances. Therefore, if your hydro flask has gotten in a really bad way and needs an intense clean-out, then baking soda is almost certainly your best option.
Mix some baking soda and water together until a thick paste is formed. Grab the bottle cleaning brush we mentioned earlier and dip it into this paste before scrubbing the inside of your flask with it. Rinse the flask out with warm soapy water until there are no traces of baking soda anywhere in or on the flask.
Conclusion
To conclude, hydro flasks are incredibly popular drinking flasks that have become used all over the world due to their insulating properties and eco-friendly ethos. If you have one of these flasks then we would recommend that you elect to hand wash them regardless of which model you have just to be on the safe side. Use any of the cleaning methods outlined above to ensure the best possible results.