Frequently Asked Questions
Most of the questions we receive in Laken are answered below. In order to avoid delays and to have the information immediately available, please read these questions and answers.
In addition, knowing the growing general awareness about the need to reduce the amount of disposable plastic we consume, and the confusion that still exists on this subject, in the following lines we will try to clarify some basic ideas about it and offer accessible alternatives to disposable plastic.
- Why are plastic bottles so bad?
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Plastic bottles, by themselves, are not bad. In fact, for many years they have been used on a large scale to transport water and many other liquids in every corner of the world.
The problem is precisely the massive use of disposable, one-use plastic. Every year 500 billion plastic bottles are produced in the world, and that’s only plastic bottles!
Of all disposable plastic produced, only 9% is recycled worldwide. Half of the remaining 81% ends up in landfills and the other half, polluting rivers, seas, beaches, mountains, cities...
In addition, plastic takes an average of 400 years to degrade, resulting in a growing and almost limitless accumulation of plastic everywhere. Nowadays, who has not seen images of a plastic islands floating in any planet watercourse?
- What can I use to avoid disposable bottles? What are the alternatives to one-use plastic?
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PYou can use bottles, canteens and many other reusable containers. As simple as filling them up ever day before you leave home.
- How long does a reusable bottle last? How many times can I use it?
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The useful life of a reusable bottle mainly depends on the material it is made of and the maintenance it receives.
Stainless steel and aluminium bottles can last for many years. Even Tritan, a high quality, bpa and phthalate free, reusable and recyclable plastic, is a good and durable alternative.
If it doesn't get hit hard, you avoid washing it in the dishwasher as much as possible and keep it dry and uncovered, you'll probably want to buy a new bottle when you get tired of using yours, long before it breaks down.
Imagine how many plastic bottles you can save to your pocket and the environment with a reusable bottle that lasts, for example, 5 years!
- What is Laken? Where is it from?
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Laken is a Spanish brand (from Murcia, to be precise) that has been manufacturing bottles, canteens and many other reusable containers for more than 100 years.
Bottles are our most popular product. They can be thermal, with double layer of 18/8 stainless steel and vacuum insulation, and non-thermal, made of stainless steel, aluminium or Tritan. In different sizes and with different caps, which allow drinking in different ways.
We also manufacture canteens, that lifetime classic that has been our hallmark for decades. Tableware, lunch boxes, cutlery and camping sets, backpacks with hydration tanks for sportsmen and women and, of course, a wide range of accessories and spare parts for all our products complete our catalogue.
- What if I want a reusable bottle for my kids?
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Laken has a special line for kids, Laken Junior, which offers bottles, backpacks, bibs, towels, tableware and some other items to cover all the feeding and hydration needs of the little ones.
Of course, all our children's products are made with non-toxic materials and with inks and/or dyes without harmful components. In addition, they have a safe design (no sharp edges and no risk of being trapped).
Take a look at their designs and features, you'll love them!
- Why should I choose Laken?
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Because we have more than 100 years of experience in manufacturing bottles, canteens and other recyclable containers.
Because of our high quality standards, which include traceability procedures that allow us absolute control of the product from the purchase of raw materials until it reaches the stores or your hands, and guarantee the manufacture of functional products, durable, that meet and even exceed the expectations of our customers.
Because of our great variety of products, which cover all types of hydration and nutrition needs.
Because of our commitment to the environment, that goes from the choice of materials to manufacturing processes and the final products, including packaging and labelling and the fact that they are recyclable.
Because it's a Spanish brand, and supporting local development is always a good idea.
Because we make beautiful bottles, designed by us, that you will take with you as one key piece of your most cared for looks.
All of which has led us to be present in more than 60 countries around the world.
- Are Laken bottles safe for my health?
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Very safe! None of our bottles, canteens or other reusable containers contain bpa, phthalates or other harmful substances. In addition, all coloured Laken products are painted with non-toxic exterior coatings from approved suppliers.
In other words, all our products are 100% safe for food use and, therefore, for you. When you choose a brand like Laken, you can count on the most demanding care of the environment and yourself.
- Where can I buy reusable Laken bottles?
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In our web: https://www.laken.es/es
And through a wide network of distributors and stores placed practically all over the world. Send us a message through our form, telling us where you live, and we will inform you about the nearest store or distributor that covers your area.
- Which is the best Laken bottle for me: aluminium, stainless steel or Tritan?
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The three bottles are excellent and comply with all the requirements that we demand of a product so that it goes out to the market: they are recyclable, reusable and comply with the most demanding health regulations at international level.
Choosing one or the other depends on your needs:
Do you want it to keep the water cool and the coffee hot? You need a thermo bottle.
And, among thermo bottles, if you like water so cold that you're going to put ice cubes in the bottle, you need wide mouth. Once you've chosen wide mouth, options are screw cap, Classic, or automatic opening, Jannu or Summit.
If the water temperature in the refrigerator is cold enough for you, and you are not going to add ice, or you are mainly going to use your bottle to keep drinks warm, the narrow mouth reduces heat and cold loss and fits better to the standard size of a person’s mouth. You could use Futura cap. Or Hit, with a mouthpiece similar to the one used by children, very comfortable to drink.
Don't you need it to keep the temperature?
If thermal performance is not a priority for you, you can choose between an aluminium bottle, lighter than steel and just as safe, with almost as many cap options as thermal ones; a single-walled Basic Steel bottle, with an intermediate diameter mouth (between Futura and Classic); or even a Tritan bottle (made with EastmanTritan ™ TX1001), our high quality reusable and recyclable plastic, the lightest transport option, which is also incredibly strong and durable.
Already know which bottle best suits your taste?
Now all you have to do is choose the size and colour of your choice - not easy!
- It is said that the inner coating of some aluminium bottles can be harmful. Are Laken aluminium bottles dangerous?
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Not at all.
Unfortunately, there are aluminium bottles on the market that do not comply with European health legislation, nor the American FDA, or others. Those are bottles without an inner coating or with one based on resins that can transmit potentially dangerous elements for the health.
The coating we use on Laken aluminium bottles is based on a two-component polyamide that offers total safety and does not contain any trace of bisphenol A, phthalates or other potentially dangerous substances in its production. As there is no trace of these components, it is impossible for our coating to transmit them!
In addition, our quality protocol determines periodic internal and external tests and controls, and we demand traceability in the production of raw materials from our suppliers.
- Are all stainless steel bottles on the market the same? How is the stainless steel used to make Laken products?
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Not all stainless steels are the same. Stainless steel is an alloy made from different elements: iron ore, chromium, silicon, nickel, carbon, nitrogen and manganese. The properties of the metal depend on the amount of each element and, in fact, there are more than 57 types of stainless steel on the market.
Laken stainless steel bottles are made from a special steel for food use, free of any type of toxins, with a quality grade of 18/8. This indicates the percentage of chromium and nickel in the steel: 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Together they give the characteristics of hardness and resistance to oxidation our bottles have.
- Where are Laken products manufactured?
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Most part of our products is manufactured in Spain. But we also have external suppliers, for example from China, who supply us with some specific parts.
- Can I use my Laken bottle with juices?
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Yes. You can even fill it with acidic juices like orange or apple. Aluminium, steel and Tritan bottles are suitable for this type of drink.
However, we recommend you to wash the bottle immediately after use. Do not leave any traces of these beverages inside the bottle.
- Can I use my Laken bottle with milk, milkshakes or dairy products?
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Yes, there is no problem.
- Can I use my Laken bottle with alcoholic beverages?
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Yes, there is no problem, even with high alcoholic beverages.
- Can I use my Laken with very hot liquids?
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In general, our materials withstand high liquid temperatures.
However, it is very important to bear in mind a few exceptions when using a bottle with hot liquids.
We advise against introducing very hot liquids into bottles other than double-walled stainless steel bottles. All other materials are, to a greater or lesser extent, heat transmitters, and you could get burned by grabbing the bottle.
If your Laken is made of stainless steel, you can use it with very hot liquid. But we also recommend that you take great care to avoid accidental burns, especially with Jannu cap. When you open the mouth piece, the pressure can cause some splashing and, if the liquid is very hot it can cause burns. If you use a screw cap, the risk is lower, but still, you must be careful because the bottle has excellent insulating properties and the liquid remains very hot inside your Laken for hours.
- Why do some bottles "sweat"?
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In single-walled bottles, when the liquid inside is cold and the outside temperature is warm, condensation effect forms drops on the surface of the bottle and gives the impression that our bottle "sweats". It is a normal and totally innocuous effect that can also be observed in cans, glass bottles and other containers.
- Can I put my bottle in the freezer?
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We don't recommend you to put your bottle in the freezer. Any liquid, when it becomes solid, increases in volume and can cause your bottle to deform or even break.
If you still want to put it in the freezer, take the precaution of not filling it more than three quarters of its total capacity.
- Can I put my Laken bottle in the microwave?
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None of our bottles can be used in the microwave.
- Can I put my bottle in the dishwasher?
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In order not to shorten the useful life of our products, in general we recommend hand washing them. Nowadays, there are very aggressive detergents and dishwashers that reach temperatures of up to 90º, and both factors can damage the cap of your bottle and its exterior coating.
Despite this, if your Laken is not painted, you do not put the dishwasher at a very high temperature and you always place the cap in the top tray, you can use the dishwasher.
- How should I clean my Laken?
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The safest way is with warm water and a mild detergent. Shake bottle with the soapy water inside several times, rinse the bottle and let it dry uncovered. Once it is dry, store it uncovered as well.
If you have forgotten to empty your Laken for a long period of time, we recommend that you wash it with a little vinegar or sparkling water. Use a soft brush to clean it inside. Wash it again with warm soapy water. Rinse and dry well, keeping the bottle uncovered.
- Can I disassemble the cap of my Laken bottle for better cleaning?
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Yes, but we strongly recommend the cap only to be handled by an adult as it contains small pieces. In addition, some of our lids have their gaskets over-injected. In these cases (Futura caps on aluminium bottles and Hit caps on aluminium and stainless steel bottles) it is not possible to dismantle the rubber gasket(s).
- What do I have to do before using my Laken for the first time?
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We recommend cleaning your Laken with warm water and a mild detergent. Shake the bottle with soapy water inside several times, rinse your bottle thoroughly and it is ready for its first use.
- My bottle smells and I can't remove it. What can I do?
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Occasionally, the liquid used in the bottles adheres to the cap and is not removed by normal cleaning. We recommend that you rub both the bottle and the cap using a solution of warm water and vinegar.
If it is very extreme, you can use a solution of warm water with 4 or 5 drops of bleach. You can even leave the bottle and cap submerged in this solution overnight. Afterwards, wash the bottle and cap with hot soapy water and rinse it.
Ready to use again for years to come!
- My Laken has been accidentally dropped and dented or the coating has been damaged. Is the interior damaged? Can I still use it?
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Our bottles have a 2 year warranty against any manufacturing defect, but can be damaged if falling from a certain distance, and these damages are not covered by the warranty.
If you drop an aluminium bottle, you can continue using it without any problem. The inner liner is extraordinarily flexible and impact-resistant.
If you drop a thermo bottle, the worst that can happen is that the valve that maintains the vacuum between the two steel walls breaks and the bottle ceases to be insulated. In this case, you could continue using it without any problem, even though it won’t work any longer as a thermo bottle.
Is it clearer now? Take a look around the web and discover all our products.
And, if you still have any questions, please leave us a message here.