Flexzilla Garden Hoses Have A Concerning Issue To Know About, According To Reviews

Flexzilla garden hoses are advertised as being lightweight and durable, making them the perfect addition to any lawn or garden. They're also advertised as drinking water safe, another huge pro since a lot of hoses contain lead, BPA, brominated fire retardants, phthalates, and other toxins. Toxic hoses contain chemicals known to leach into your drinking supply, but the Flexzilla is advertised as correcting this issue. Unfortunately, some reviews explain that the Flexzilla is actually a "mold-zilla" hose, its exterior casing riddled with black mold. Flexzilla advertises its hoses as resisting mold, so the presence of this toxic substance has made more than a few customers leery of these hoses. 

Unfortunately, mold-resistant isn't the same as mold-proof, but it's just frustrating for consumers who purchased a product in hopes of keeping dangerous mold spores at bay. According to a one-star Amazon review, "My 6-month-old Flexzilla hose has covered itself with BLACK MOLD that will not wash off with soap or bleach. This is the only hose I have that has this mold impregnated in it, the others (cheap hoses) are fine. I spoke to customer service and was told that they are familiar with this issue but it was not covered under its LIFETIME warranty." It's worth noting that Flexzilla's website lists a "Limited Lifetime Warranty," which essentially means that a manufacturer is responsible for replacing or repairing any part of their product deemed defective — for free. The issue is whether the hose was defective or stored improperly. 

It doesn't matter where mold grows, it can be dangerous. Exposure to mold means exposure to allergens and irritants. Highly sensitive individuals with allergies are at risk, along with children and anyone whose immune system is compromised. Although Flexzilla says its hose is made from a "Flexible Hybrid Polymer," polymers aren't necessarily plastics (whereas plastics are always polymers). But if the Flexzilla contains any plastic on its exterior casing, this can present an issue, as mold can grow and, depending on the additives, can even break down certain materials. 

Instead of splitting hairs over the exact materials in Flexzilla's exterior casing, it's best to treat all outside tools with the proper care. Keep in mind that mold spores look for warm, moist areas to grow and thrive, and your hose is an ideal location. Damp areas also attract mold growth, and what better place for these spores than on a garden hose? Additionally, mold grows on a wide variety of surfaces, which means your hose is prime real estate. Instead, dry it to prevent mold and other harmful bacteria from growing. Look for an area out of direct sunlight, as this can damage your hose's exterior and cause it to crack. Keep them somewhere dry and cool to deter mold and mildew from growing. Some people opt for retractable garden hose reels to keep hoses neat and organized. 

As of this writing, Flexzilla's ⅝", 50' garden hose sells for $40 on Amazon, has almost 84,000 reviews, and 4.5 stars. One-star reviews make up about 6% of the total reviews and, unfortunately, many mention mold. A consumer who said they are a "state certified mold inspector" left a review explaining that "It doesn't look like any water-born mold I have ever encountered. I repeat this is a man-made substance and Flexzilla is turning a blind eye to a manufacturing defect." In addition to mold growth, customers are unsatisfied with Flexilla's customer service, and other reviews say that the Flexzilla "Quickly develops black mold" and that "I bought this hose in 2019 and it quickly became covered in black mold." Although good reviews outweigh Flexzilla's bad ones, mold issues are a theme among low reviews. 

Flexzilla's warranty has also been called into question, with customers explaining that the warranty has an exhaustive process and "Its terms are customer-unfriendly." As with any product, it's best to thoroughly research any item, and, seeing as Flexzilla has 4.5 stars on Amazon, it's worth reviewing the positive comments — and the warranty — as it's all important information you need to know before buying a garden hose. You can even contact the company to ask more detailed questions before purchasing. If you're looking for other hoses to try out, consider the best expandable garden hoses based on reviews.