Camelbak Bite Valve cleaning guide

One of the unique things about the Camelbak range of water bottles it their non-spill silicone bite valve. Camelbak bite valve cleaning is important to get the most out of them, but they are a consumable product and need replacing periodically. The design of the bite valve allows you to keep a bottle in the ON position, but not leak when it falls over or tips on its side. It also allows for easy 'one-handed' drinking. To keep them in the best shape, here's our tips for keeping them clean.

Camelbak Bite Valve Cleaning Tips

• Remove your bite valve from the bottle on a regular basis (every couple of days) and rinse the inside. Allow it to completely dry before putting it back on your bottle. You might even decide to have a spare and alternate days to really allow them to dry properly between uses. You only get one with the bottle but the replacement kits give you either 2 or 4 extras depending on the pack you purchase.
• Use a Sippy Straw Cleaner to clean the inside with hot soapy water once a week (or more frequently if dirty). Sippy Straw Cleaners have very tiny brush heads with soft and short bristles and they're perfect for cleaning without doing any damage to the valve itself.
• Do not force the slit open with the straw cleaner or you will damage the opening.
• Soaking & washing with a solution of bi-carb soda and vinegar will help to remove any stubborn stains / smells. If they don't, it's time to replace the bite valve.

Camelbak Bite Valve Usage Tips

• While they are a BITE valve, and designed to be bitten on to drink, they are not designed to withstand constant chewing. If you have purchased a Kids Eddy Bottle or a larger Eddy bottle for a child and they like to chew mouthpieces, be prepared to have a stash of replacement bite valves on hand. They will eventually wear through them. If you think your child would be suited to something less tempting to chew, please check out our full water bottle range HERE and review other options. We are always happy to answer pre-sales questions to ensure you get the right bottle the first time.
• Please thoroughly wash the bottle AND the bite valve before the first use. Hot soapy water is fine. We do not recommend the dishwasher.

TROUBLESHOOTING A NEW BITE VALVE

When Camelbak bite valve cleaning is done and they look worse for wear, you do need to replace them. If you're having trouble getting water through a new bite valve, you will want to read this troubleshooting guide. Each bite valve has a slit across the top that opens up when you bite on it. This is the mechanism that allows water through and for it not to spill when open. In some rare cases, the slit doesn't appear to go all the way through when you first go to use it. You can usually get it to open without the use of anything sharp and without having to get it replaced.

Working the slit open is usually as simple as rolling it between your fingers a few times to pop it open. Sometimes it may take a minute or two, so persist with it for more than just one of two squeezes. Just keep squeezing and manipulating the valve (in all directions) until it opens up. You will be able to see by the markings on the top of the valve where it's supposed to open. Once you get it open the first time from the factory, you won't have any issues opening it again.

BUYING REPLACEMENT CAMELBAK BITE VALVES

For your convenience, we have a dedicated category in store for Camelbak replacement bite valves and spare parts. When Camelbak bite valve cleaning doesn't get you the results you need, they must be replaced. Be aware that the valves for the kids bottles and the adult bottles are different.