Do I need to clean the bottle before first use?
We recommend that you wash the bottle and cap in warm soapy water prior to first use, and rinse thoroughly.
How do I clean the CamelBak® Kids’ Tritan Bottle?
The CamelBak® Kids’ Tritan Bottle (and cap assembly) is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. For best results, always use the top rack of the dishwasher and avoid high-heat settings like “sanitary clean” or “heat boost” which may distort plastic components.
To clean the cap, we recommend removing the straw and Bite Valve from the cap to better clean the inside passages of the cap and place the cap components on the top rack of your dishwasher.
Is the new CamelBak® Kids’ Bottle BPA-Free?
Yes. The new CamelBak® Kids’ Bottle and Kids’ Stainless Bottle are BPA-free.
What are the bottle and cap made from?
All CamelBak® bottles are constructed with materials carefully selected for their safety, durability, and ease of use. All materials are BPA-free, phthalate-free and safe for use in a hydration bottle.
The CamelBak® Kids’ Bottle is made from a copolyester polymer called Tritan™, made by the Eastman Company. Tritan is 100% BPA-free and phthalate-free, with durability, clarity and stain-resistance to withstand whatever kids dish out.
The Kids’ Bottle Stainless is made from stainless steel, which is naturally stain-resistant, corrosion-resistant and taste-free.
The Kids’ Bottle cap is an assembly of plastic materials made primarily from food-grade polypropylene selected for exceptional durability and safety. The Bite Valve is constructed with medical grade silicone for long life and taste-free performance; the straw is made of polyethylene, the same material used in milk bottles.
What is BPA?
Bisphenol-A is an ingredient used to make polycarbonate. All CamelBak® bottles, including the new Kids’ line, are BPA-free, durable, portable, dishwasher-safe and have no residual taste—all of the features and qualities you’ve come to expect from reusable CamelBak® water bottles.
What are phthalates (pronounced Thal-ates)?
Phthalates are a component added to some plastics to make them soft and pliable. CamelBak® bottles have always been phthalate-free.
Is Tritan™ and stainless safe? What type of safety testing has been done on Tritan™ and stainless?
CamelBak®, in conjunction with rigorous 3rd party testing, has not found evidence of any harmful chemicals leaching into food/beverage surfaces from Tritan™ or stainless material. Recent testing showed that Tritan™ is safe and meets all FDA and EPA guidelines for material that comes in repeated contact with food.
Is the CamelBak® Kids’ Bottle tested for child safety? How do I know it is safe?
When designing kids’ products, safety is paramount. CamelBak® Kids’ Bottles undergo rigorous third party testing for BPA, lead and other substances. In addition, CamelBak conducts independent testing to ensure product safety for kids’-specific hazards including choking and breaking.
Congress and the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) recently strengthened safety standards in response to public concerns over product safety. CamelBak® actively supports these improvements and ensures all products comply fully with the new rules and reporting requirements.
Since CamelBak introduced a new bottle for kids, does it mean that the original CamelBak Better Bottle™ isn’t safe?
The original CamelBak® Better Bottle™ still meets the most stringent child safety requirements. However, because of concerns about potential choking hazards of the removable Bite Valve on the original Better Bottle™, CamelBak has always recommended that parents limit use of the Better Bottle™ to kids 5 and older.
The new CamelBak® Kids’ Bottles offer designs and features made just for kids. All Kids’ Bottles are durable, portable, dishwasher-safe and have no residual taste—all of the features and qualities parents rely on and expect from reusable CamelBak® water bottles.
How is the Kids’ Bottle cap different from the Better Bottle™ cap?
The Kids’ Bottle and Better Bottle™ both feature the easy-to-use, spill-proof Big Bite™ Valve technology, a convenient straw-feed format, and flip-close-to-shutoff stem configuration. The Kids’ Bottle cap, however, features a Kids’-specific Big Bite™ Valve and stem design made from a single piece of medical grade silicone. This one-piece construction prevents a child from pulling the Bite Valve off accidentally, but makes it easy for a parent to remove and place in the dishwasher for cleaning. In addition, the cap is easy for Kids’ to use and includes a fun push-button release for the Bite Valve stem.
What’s the clear thing (or pink or green or blue) on top of the cap for? Do I remove it or cut it to drink?
The CamelBak® Big Bite™ Valve is a patented feature that provides easy drinking and spill-proof safety. Do NOT remove or cut this piece to drink. Simply bite it slightly and sip as you would out of a straw.
Can I put juice, milk or sports drinks in the CamelBak® Kids’ Bottle?
Yes. Juice, milk or sports drinks are all fine to use in the CamelBak® Kids’ Bottle. We recommend a thorough cleaning after each use.
Can I use carbonated beverages?
We do not recommend the use of carbonated beverages in the CamelBak® Kids’ Bottle. Because of the spill-proof sealed construction of the bottle, carbonated beverages can cause pressure build-up that while not dangerous, can result in an experience like opening a shaken-up can of soda. To use with carbonated beverages, we recommend that you remove the straw and drink using the “tip and sip” method like an ordinary sippy cup.
Can I put hot liquids in it?
We do not recommend using hot beverages in the CamelBak® Kids’ Bottles. The experience will be similar to drinking hot liquid through a straw, with similar risk of burns. In addition, stainless steel models do not insulate the outside of the bottle from the heated contents inside.
Is the bottle microwave-safe?
We do not recommend heating the bottle in a microwave because it can lead to uneven heating of the contents. Stainless steel models, like any metal product, should never be placed in a microwave oven.
Can I freeze the Bottle?
We don’t recommend freezing CamelBak® Bottles. Freezing, and subsequent thawing, can compromise the bottle seams on stainless steel models. If you do freeze a CamelBak® Bottle, we recommend keeping the Bottle only partially full so that the water can expand as it freezes to ice. Keep the Bottle upright with the Big Bite™ Valve in a neutral position (i.e. not flipped up or down). If any water remains frozen in the tube, we recommend waiting until it thaws before trying to drink using the straw configuration.
What happens if I take the straw off?
Removal of the straw allows a “tip and sip” mode of drinking like a sippy cup.
Can I use the Kids’ Bottle in high-altitude/ low-pressure environments? (i.e. airplanes, mountain altitudes, etc)
Yes, but with extra care. Always keep the bottle right side up and the bite valve in the closed position. Remove the straw for additional protection. Expect a bit of “spurt” during the first sip.
Can I remove the CamelBak® Bite Valve for cleaning?
Yes. The new one-piece Big Bite™ Valve and straw can be removed for easy cleaning. Follow these simple instructions:
- Flip the stem to the open position by pulling on the stem tab or pushing the stem release button under the handle.
- Turn the cap over and pull out the straw.
- Grab the flat finger tab on the base of the Big Bite™ Valve under the cap.
- In one firm motion, pull the Big Bite™ Valve component out of the cap.
- Clean the bite valve and cap by hand or in the top rack of a dishwasher.
Can I use a bottle brush on the Big Bite™ Valve?
Yes. The Big Bite™ Valve is made from tough silicone material that can be cleaned with a bottle brush similar to those designed for baby bottle nipples. Make sure the brush doesn’t have exposed metal edges that could cut the silicone. Then insert the brush into the open end at the base of the valve. We don’t recommend forcing a brush of any kind through the Big Bite™ Valve slit (where you drink from) as this could damage the sealing surfaces of the Big Bite™ Valve.
How do I put the Big Bite™ Valve back in the cap?
Follow these instructions to re-insert the Big Bite™ Valve component:
• Flip the stem collar (the component the bite valve passed through originally) to the open position. You should be able to look through both the opening in the cap and the opening in the collar.
• Turn the cap over and orient the bite valve so the finger tab points towards the back of the cap (where the handle loop is). Insert the tip of the bite valve through the cap and the collar until the end of the Big Bite™ Valve peeks through the outer end of the collar.
• Turn the cap over and grab the end of the Big Bite™ Valve and pull through until it sits in the grooves incorporated into the collar. If you pull the Big Bite™ Valve too far out these grooves will be visible. Just press the valve back down until these grooves are seated.
• Turn the cap over and press on the base of the valve to make sure it is seated.
• Insert the straw (either end, it doesn’t matter) into the hole in the valve base. Don’t over-insert the straw, just until you feel resistance.
