Donna just started using her Camelback, and it has a very strong plastic taste. Much worse than mine ever had. What is the best method for getting rid of the plastic taste? Tried a forum search, but didn't turn up anything.

I have heard that baking soda will get the smell out of plastic. I have used it on my water bottles. I have also used vinegar to clean other items that I use to eat or drink. Just be careful if you mix the two.

www.camelbak.com has "cleaning tablets" and other cleaning stuff. Food grade plastic should not have a plastic taste, a replacement or refund may be in order.

Never known a camelback to have a taste either. What I do on the plastic bottles, which do taste, is to ensure they are clean after every ride, and keep the top off in between rides. Then I always add a "Taster" of juice to the water and this disguises any taste left.

I had my Camelbak Blowfish cleaned with bleach after I discovered some mold in the drinking tube. I called Camelbak and it was suggested that I add two teaspoonful of bleach to a bladderful of water and let it seat a while b/4 cleaning thoroughly.
It worked in getting rid of the mold, but there was a subsequent bleachy aftertaste to the water (I only use it for water).

I have been adding a teaspoonful of lemon juice to my bladderful of water, and this has helped a lot in getting rid of the aftertaste.

So, I am going to suggest you try adding a teaspoonful of lemon or lime juice to your bladderful of water, and this should help.

FWIW, I also rinse out my Camelbak's bladder as soon as I get back from my rides, and then toss it into the freezer, where it stays until it has to be used again. I have not seen any problems thus far, molds or otherwise.

Regards,

+1. I don't use a Camelback, but I've always put some lemon juice in my water bottles, and it helps a lot.

Does lemon juice ever go bad? There's some in my fridge I'd like to try this. The juice is between 0 and 11 months old.

The water from my Camelback has a slight plasticy taste towards the end of the bladder when the water has been sitting for a while. It is not pronounced at all really.

Anyways, I say for a bad taste soak it in water/baking soda for a while. Then rinse thoroughly.

I do this all the time, but somehow they always taste vaguely of orange gatorade. I use the big 32oz ones.

1:1 water + vinegar overnight clears up any weird tastes in mine.

I've used table salt in the past for canteens, it worked pretty well for removing any nasty taste.

I clean my hydration bladders with antiseptic mouthwash. It works great for cleaning sense it kills germs just like the ones in your mouth, and instead of a disgusting aftertaste, its minty fresh. It would get rid of that "new Camelbak taste" too.

Get a Kleen Kanteen and you'll never have to worry about plastic after taste

The bottle I'm currently working has a "made on" date of June 03.

lemon juice! i use that in my bottles to freshen them.....

i've never had a problem with my camelback (i only put water in both my camelback and my polar bottles... well... exept for the lemon juice to freshen it! lol!)

I typically squeeze a bit of fresh lime in my bottles... the touch of flavor makes the water easier to swallow.

I typically squeeze a bit of fresh lime in my bottles... the touch of flavor makes the water easier to swallow.

OK, I tried the lemon juice this morning and it worked OK. I'd say it eliminated 50% of the orange gatorade flavor from the bottle. I'll try again tonight and report back.