How to Clean FlatPak Toiletry Bottles and Waterproof Case

Quick answer

Empty both the bottles and the case, wash them with warm water and mild dish soap, rinse until the water runs clear, and air-dry them fully open before you refill or store them. Do this after every trip, and immediately after any spill, so residue and moisture never get a chance to sit in the seams or the rolltop closure.

Start with a full empty and a cool-to-warm rinse

Squeeze out every drop of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, or soap before you add water. A bottle that is half full of product will just dilute into a thin film that is harder to rinse away. Rinse the inside with cool-to-warm water first, then move to warm water with a drop of mild dish soap. Hot water is not necessary and can stress the soft-sided material over time.

For the case, open the rolltop fully and rinse the inside with the same warm, soapy water. The welded construction means there are no stitched seams to trap product, but the corners and the area near the closure still collect residue, so pay attention there rather than just sloshing water through.

Wash the bottle interiors without scrubbing the walls

Add a small amount of warm soapy water, close the cap, and shake for about ten seconds. Then squeeze the soapy water out through the opening. Repeat once or twice until the water coming out looks clear rather than cloudy or slick. A bottle brush is rarely necessary and can scratch the inside of a soft-sided bottle, so let the shaking and squeezing do the work.

If you are switching from a thick lotion to a thin shampoo, do one extra rinse cycle. Thick products leave a coating that can change how the next liquid flows, and that residue is also what starts to smell if the bottle is stored closed.

Clean the waterproof case and check the rolltop

Wipe the outside of the case with a soapy cloth, then rinse it. The rolltop closure is the part that decides whether the case keeps leaks in and water out, so inspect it while it is wet. Run your fingers along the closure edge and look for dried product, grit, or a crease that stays folded when you open the case. Rinse that area again if you feel anything tacky.

Do not put the case in a washing machine or dryer. The heat and agitation are hard on welded material and the closure, and there is no need for it. Hand washing takes a couple of minutes and keeps the case working the way it was designed to.

Dry everything fully open before storage

Shake out excess water, then leave the bottles open and the case rolled open in a dry spot with good airflow. Standing them upside down on a drying rack helps water escape the opening. Do not close the caps or roll the case shut while any moisture remains, because trapped dampness is the main cause of musty smells and cloudy interiors.

If you are repacking the same day, dry the outsides with a clean towel and leave the interiors open until the last moment. A hair dryer on a cool setting can speed this up, but keep it at a distance and never use heat.

Refill, seal, and store for the next trip

Once everything is completely dry, refill the bottles and close them firmly. Fill to about three-quarters so there is room for the liquid to move without forcing its way past the cap. Before you pack the case, do a quick squeeze test over a sink: hold each bottle upside down and press gently. If you see a bead of liquid at the cap, reseat the cap and check for a grain of dried product on the threads.

Store the case rolled closed with the bottles inside only when both are dry. For longer storage between trips, leave the bottles empty and the case open so nothing sits compressed. That habit is what keeps the rolltop sealing properly and the bottles ready to refill.

Step-by-step cleaning routine

1. Empty and rinse both items: Squeeze out all product from the bottles and open the case fully. Rinse the interiors with cool-to-warm water before adding any soap. Checkpoint: no visible product left in the bottle opening or the case corners.
2. Wash with mild soap and warm water: Add a drop of mild dish soap and warm water to each bottle, close the cap, and shake for about ten seconds. Wipe the case inside and out with the same soapy water. Mistake to avoid: using hot water or harsh cleaners, which can stress the soft-sided material and the welded case.
3. Rinse until the water runs clear: Squeeze the soapy water out of each bottle and repeat with clean water until it comes out clear. Rinse the case until no suds remain, especially around the rolltop. Checkpoint: the rinse water should not feel slick or smell like the product you removed.
4. Inspect the rolltop closure: Run your fingers along the closure edge of the case and look for dried product, grit, or a crease that stays folded. Rinse again if anything feels tacky. Mistake to avoid: skipping this step and then wondering why the case no longer seals tightly.
5. Air-dry fully open: Shake out excess water and leave the bottles open and the case rolled open in a dry spot with airflow. Stand bottles upside down on a rack if you can. Checkpoint: no moisture visible inside before you close anything.
6. Refill, seal, and store: Refill bottles to about three-quarters, close them firmly, and do a quick upside-down squeeze test over a sink. Store the case rolled closed only when both are dry. Mistake to avoid: packing the case shut while damp, which causes musty smells and cloudy bottles.

Products in this routine

• FlatPak™ Toiletry Bottles: The FlatPak Toiletry Bottles are ultralight, soft-sided bottles designed to travel with liquids like shampoo, soap, conditioner, or lotion — 90mL volume at half the bulk. TSA approved. The soft-sided design is what makes shaking and squeezing the right cleaning method; a bottle brush is unnecessary and can damage the interior.
• FlatPak™ Waterproof Toiletry Case: The FlatPak Waterproof Toiletry Case keeps leaks in and water out. Fully welded with a rolltop closure, it’s built to handle shampoo spills and rain alike. Because the case is welded rather than stitched, residue collects mainly at the corners and the rolltop closure, so those are the two areas to check and rinse most carefully.