Are Hydro Flasks Dishwasher Safe? (Find Out Now!)

Gary Evans
by Gary Evans

Reusable water bottles have become more common as more people are steering clear of disposable plastic bottles. The reusable water bottles stand out as the more eco-friendly option. In the long run, you can also save more money by turning to reusable containers such as the Hydro Flask.

Obviously, the fact that a Hydro Flask is reusable means that it will require maintenance. So, how do you maintain a Hydro Flask? Can you just place it in your dishwasher and retrieve it when you need it?

The newer Hydro Flask models are dishwasher safe thanks to the changes made to their design. With earlier models, the powder coating and insulation could be damaged after a few trips through the dishwasher. The Hydro Flip Lids and Wide Straw Lids are also dishwasher safe, but other lid variants are not.

Caring for your Hydro Flask properly is crucial if you want to get a great return on your investment. Find out how to maintain the Hydro Flask correctly while also learning about other relevant topics by reading on.

What Is a Hydro Flask?

You’ve probably seen more than a few people walking around with Hydro Flasks. You may also be wondering if it’s any different from the other options available. The Hydro Flask does possess certain qualities that allow it to stand out from other reusable water bottles.

Its first notable quality is its ability to retain the desired temperature. A Hydro Flask makes use of double-wall vacuum insulation to maintain the intended temperature of its contents.

That temperature retention makes it a great item to bring along during camping trips. You don’t need to fire up your portable stove anymore just to get hot water. Just store some hot water in your Hydro Flask and you can save it for a time when you’ll need it.

The stainless steel used for Hydro Flasks also does a good job of preventing contamination. The liquid you put in it will retain its flavor with no issue. Whatever liquid you placed inside won’t take on the flavor of its stainless steel surroundings.

Many people have also grown to like Hydro Flasks because of how stylish they are. You can even personalize your Hydro Flask if you are so inclined.

Can You Place Your Hydro Flask in the Dishwasher?

If you’re looking for a water bottle you can use daily, a Hydro Flask is certainly not a bad choice. The reasons mentioned above highlight why it can be a great purchase. Before pushing forward with that purchase though, take a second to consider the Hydro Flask’s maintenance requirements.

Some Hydro Flasks can be placed in the dishwasher while others cannot. Let’s talk more about that distinction below.

Original Hydro Flasks Are Not Dishwasher Safe

The original, older style Hydro Flasks are not dishwasher safe. There are two reasons why you cannot place an older Hydro Flask in that aforementioned appliance.

First off, the powder coating may gradually fade if you continue to clean your older Hydro Flask using the dishwasher. The heat coming from the dishwasher is what compromises the powder coating. You need to keep that powder coating away from heat if you want it to remain intact.

The heat from the dishwasher can also affect the insulation provided by the Hydro Flask. You probably want to preserve the quality of your Hydro Flask so keeping it out of the dishwasher is a must.

“New” Hydro Flasks Are Dishwasher Safe

The folks over at Hydro Flask recently made changes to the design of their products in early 2020. Those changes have affected how compatible the aforementioned containers are with dishwashers. Emphasis was placed on changing the powder coating of the Hydro Flask.

The “new” Hydro Flasks can be identified by a stainless steel band on the bottle collar, a rounded bottom, and the lack of the registered trademark symbol, ® on the logo and name.

The Color Last™ powder coating featured in newer Hydro Flasks is no longer susceptible to heat damage. It will retain its appearance even after it goes through the dishwasher.

Aside from the powder coating, the redesign also affects how well the Hydro Flask’s insulation holds up to the heat. Newer Hydro Flasks will be able to maintain their excellent temperature retention even after they go through the dishwasher.

Can You Place Hydro Flask Lids inside the Dishwasher?

The Hydro Flasks themselves are not the only items that require maintenance. You have to take good care of the lids as well. Once again, some Hydro Flask lids can be placed in the dishwasher while others cannot.

Both the Hydro Flip Lid and the Wide Straw Lid can be run through the dishwasher. Clean them properly by placing them on your dishwasher’s top rack.

The other Hydro Flask lids will have to be hand washed. You should also know that the manufacturers recommend hand washing all Hydro Flask lids in order to maximize their longevity.

So, while the Hydro Flip Lid and the Wide Straw Lid can be cleaned on the top rack of the dishwasher occasionally, this will reduce the life of these lids. For this reason, manual cleaning is always the better option.

What About Hydro Flask Straws?

Hydro Flask straws, on the other hand, should never be placed in the dishwasher and are only safe for manual cleaning. Hand wash straws using hot, soapy water. Then, rinse them and let them air dry.

How to Hand Wash Hydro Flasks

While running a Hydro Flask through a dishwasher is the more convenient cleaning method, hand washing is pretty easy too. Follow the steps detailed below to ensure proper handwashing of your Hydro Flask.

Step 1: Prepare the Cleaning Items

You will need a bottle brush if you want to get into the nooks and crannies of your Hydro Flask. Hydro Flask actually sells bottle brushes, but you can use your own if you already have one. Having bottle brushes of different sizes would also be helpful.

In addition to the bottle brush, you will also need dish soap, water, and a non-abrasive sponge. A microfiber cloth or other kind of soft cleaning cloth will do if you don’t have a non-abrasive sponge. Distilled vinegar and baking soda may also be required if you have an especially dirty Hydro Flask.

Step 2: Disassemble Your Hydro Flask

The Hydro Flask is easier to wash thoroughly if it’s disassembled. Unscrew the lid, remove the straw, and then set the bottle itself aside.

Optional Step: Remove the Stains Using the Vinegar or Baking Soda

Numerous stains may have formed inside your Hydro Flask. You will have to get rid of those stains using either the distilled vinegar or baking soda.

To use the distilled vinegar, pour about a half cup of it inside the bottle and swirl it around. Let the vinegar sit for five minutes before pouring it out. Follow that by rinsing the bottle with warm water.

To use the baking soda, mix about two to three tablespoons of it with water to create a paste. Dip your bottle brush in that paste and then use that to scrub the inside of the Hydro Flask. Keep scrubbing until the stains disappear then rinse the bottle out.

Step 3: Wash the Bottle

Pour some dish soap and water inside the Hydro Flask then put the bottle brush in there. Start scrubbing the inside of the bottle with the brush and continue doing that for a bit.

As for the outside of the bottle, you can clean that using a non-abrasive sponge soaked with some dish soap. Just be gentle while scrubbing so you don’t damage the powder coating.

Step 4: Wash the Lid and Straw

Dish soap, water, and a non-abrasive sponge will again be needed to clean the lid and straw of your Hydro Flask. Get into every corner of the lid to clean it out properly. If you have a small bottle brush, you can also use that to clean the straw more effectively.

Step 5: Rinse All the Components of Your Hydro Flask

With all the pieces thoroughly washed, you can now place them all under running water for the final rinse. Allow the water to pass through all parts of the components to clear out any traces of the dish soap.

Step 6: Air Dry Your Hydro Flask’s Components

To finish up, you must air dry the components of your Hydro Flask. Place them on a rack and flip them upside down so all the water drains out. Once the pieces are dry, you can reassemble your Hydro Flask and start using it again.

Cleaning Products to Avoid

You should never use bleach, acid, or other similar harsh cleaning products on a Hydro Flask. In fact, you should NEVER use such toxic and dangerous substances on anything that comes in contact with your beverages and food.

Not only will these ingredients damage the stainless steel of the bottle and cause rusting, they present a major risk to your health.

Why Clean a Hydro Flask?

If you only ever put water in your Hydro Flask, you may be wondering why it’s so important to clean them. Hydro Flasks, or really any bottle for that matter, require a thorough cleaning occasionally. Each time you take a sip of water, some bacteria from your mouth will make its way into the bottle.

The bacteria will continue to grow and, if not cleaned regularly, it may build up enough to have a negative impact on your health. Likewise, even if you use only filtered water, there may be bacteria or germs present in the water itself. Other problematic organisms like fungi can also form inside of the bottle if it’s not cleaned often.

A simple rinse once and awhile with water is not enough either. It’s important to take the time to give your bottle a proper, thorough cleaning.


Related Questions

Is It Safe to Place a Hydro Flask inside a Freezer?

You won’t damage your Hydro Flask by placing it inside a freezer, but there’s also no reason to do that. Due to the way the bottle is designed, its contents won’t freeze even if it’s kept in the freezer. Just place ice inside the bottle if you want your drink to stay cold.


How Often Should You Clean Your Hydro Flask?

A quick rinse with soapy water every day should be enough to keep your Hydro Flask clean. However, you should also reserve time to clean it more thoroughly at least once per week. That cleaning routine should be more than enough to keep bacteria away.


How Do You Get Rid of Bad Smells in a Hydro Flask?

If a good, thorough clean isn’t enough to get rid of bad smells, you can try pouring white vinegar into the bottle, shaking it up, and then letting it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Then, wash it again, rinse, and dry accordingly.If this still doesn’t get rid of the unpleasant odor, drop a handful of dry ice, some detergent, and water into the Hydro Flask. Put the lid on and shake vigorously for two to five minutes. The dry ice will serve as an abrasive to remove residue, while the detergent should help eliminate the stench.

Gary Evans
Gary Evans

Gary Evans is passionate about home improvement. He loves finding out how to make improvements in the easiest, most practical, and most affordable ways. Upgrading his home kitchen is one of his ongoing hobbies. Gary is also a long-time content creator and enjoys spending his free time tending to his hydroponic vegetable garden.

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