how to clean my bladder

[+rogueleader1977]

What is the best way to clean my hydration bladder? I just got a Wenger Baden Hydration Pack. I thought it would come with some directions, but there are none. So do I just use good ol' soap and water?

[+Iowa Tom]

When I saw this title come up I thought, this is definitely one for off topic! I misinterpreted the meaning of “your bladder.” It's OK as it is. I am just kidding.

Edited August 10, 2006 by Iowa Tom

[+markp99]

Hmmm, how about:

 

Fill - Empty - Repeat

 

This works for Camelback bladders as well human bladders. :laughing:

[+team travel pig]

I use soap (not much) and water. I know Camelbak makes a tablet for cleaning - but I assume that's for once in a while.

[+BlueDeuce]

I perfer a 5% bleach cleaning solution. (Bleach/water)

[+BelKen]

Step 1 empty and fill with mild soap and hot water. Brush with bottle brush.

 

Step 2 empty, hang upside down and dry

 

Step 3 Mix half cup of baking soda with one and half cup of water. Pour in bladder and shake well. Hold bag away from face and add half cup of lemon juice. After 10 minutes open bag let gas escape.

 

Step 4 clean tube with baking soda and water mix using special brush.

 

Step 5 empty, hang to dry.

 

If using water only, after an initial clean, empty after each use and keep dry. Special hangers available to keep bladder apart or manufacture your own from wire hangers.

 

If using additives to water, the above steps should be used after each use to prevent mould etc. With water only, keeping dry between use will prevent mould in bladder.

Edited August 10, 2006 by BelKen

[+Jhwk]

Camelbak recommends rinsing occasionally (weekly), but to do a cleaning tab for "deep cleaning"

[+bike&ski]

My personal preference is hot water and a little bit o' Listerine. Rinse well, because that minty taste can get annoying on the trail.

 

And stay with just plain water. Forget the Gatorade et. al., Bugs love it better than we do.

[+briansnat]

I fill the bladder then add a half cup of chlorine bleach and drain it through the tube. After that, rinse well and you're set.

 

I agree with bike&ski, just use water unless you want a biology experiment in your bladder and tube.

[+beeflog]

i broke down and spent the 20 bucks for the cleaning kit after discovering a fungus among us when i went to use for the first time this year. its a pretty nice kit. 2 cleaning tabs, hanger for drying, and 2 bottle brushes.

[wheetree]

1 Tablespoon good quality REAL bleach (not color safe or scented -- yes it has happened) to 1 gallon water. fill the bladder, let some through the bite valve. let sit at least 30 minutes. Drain, rinse. 1 teaspoon baking soda per cup of water - refill let sit overnite (this will get rid of any bad taste including the bleach). Drain, use a drying hanger, or just stuff in a couple paper towels leaving the cap open.

[Clan Riffster]

To call me rough on equipment is a decided understatement. As such, I've never properly cleaned a hydration bladder. I will occasionally fill them with scalding water, then drain them, but by the time the green gunk starts growing in them, mine are ready to be replaced.

[Tahosa and Sons]

Baking Soda and water and leave it fill in the fridge, rinse and add new water every time you use it. I leave mine in the fridge year round, just rinse when I need it and no problem.

A 18 pack will clean out the other water container.

[+Capaldo]

I think rinsing and drying after use keeps the bladder pretty clean, but I'm lazy and often forget to do that after a long day. I use denture-cleaning tabs when the bladder gets grungy. They work well at disinfecting and getting the funk out. Store brand ones are cheap.

[+CYBret]

You can bend a plastic coated wire clothes hanger to work well as a hydration bladder dryer. Saves a little money and works fine.

 

Bret

[+disenchanted]

how to clean my bladder....

 

My Urologist recommends lots of cranberry juice... but I'm not sure that is what you are talking about.

[+What rock?]

how to clean my bladder....

 

My Urologist recommends lots of cranberry juice... but I'm not sure that is what you are talking about.

 

Uh, lots of alcohol?

[+Colorado Cacher]

I use the store brand denture cleaner tablets. Drop 4-6 in, let it sit, rinse it out.

[CoyoteTrust]

I have a few different hydro systems but I bought some CamelBak tools made specifically for cleaning the bladder: cleaning solution, a tube brush, a bladder brush, and a collapsible hanger that collapses so you can put it in the bladder then expands to spread it open. 'Course I like to leave some of the green stuff in there 'cause it adds some flavor to the water and it... doesn't.... affect....

 

 

me

 

Edited August 11, 2006 by CoyoteTrust

[+James Lobb]

After i use it i put it in the freezer till i next need it. it keeps the bugs away and keeps your water cold. im not sure if it would shorte the life span because they become a bit brittle when there frozen.

 

also if you dont mind the taste you can put some iodine in. not sure how much but hikers use it to make water safe for drinking.

Edited August 11, 2006 by James Lobb

[+oldnavy59]

I have a wally world model and I dont use it much cause the water tastes like plastic will baking soda take care of that?

[+BlueDeuce]

I have a wally world model and I dont use it much cause the water tastes like plastic will baking soda take care of that?

 

rinsing it with a lemon juice/water mixture will help with that. 2/10.