Efferdent Cleanser

Efferdent is the simplest, easiest way to clean hydration bladders, water bottles, and other hard to clean items that don't easily fit into a dishwasher. Drop in a tablet, and let it do the work!

These easy to use tablets do an excellent job killing bacteria, and removing stubborn odors that eventually get into Nalgene bottles, hydration bladders, and the like. I can't remember where I found this tip, but it has been effectively keeping my stuff clean for about three years now. I still regularly scrub my bladders, bottles, etc.

Efferdent now boasts a product called 'Power Clean Crystals' that would even prove to be easier to maintain gear on the trail, perhaps good for thru-hikers. They are individually wrapped packets similar to Starbucks Via. 

Being that the primary use for this product is to clean dentures, one can be assured that this is safe to use for cleaning plastic based reservoirs and bottles. Although Efferdent does not publish its ingredients, the main components of other denture cleaners are Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Citric Acid, and Sodium polyphosphate. The Sodium polyphosphate acts as a detergent, to help remove stains.

There apparently is also some kind of enzyme that helps to break down plaque. Looking at some of these ingredients can only make one wonder if it is safe to use... Being that Efferdent is designed to soak dentures overnight, I can only hope that it is safe for our bodies. The product has been approved by the ADA, but an endorsement by an association certainly doesn't mean something is guaranteed.

I hope you give this product a try. It has made my life a little easier!