Clean & dry a hydration bladder or Camelbak

When cleaning my hydration bladder, I grabbed the camera, as this is the easiest and least expensive way I know.

Music: Ambient Cake by Orb Gettarr, license ccbysa2.5

Text of voiceover:
So although I've had my hydration pack for several years, I've only cleaned it a couple times,

This is the most cost effective and easiest way I know to clean and dry it's bladder.

Simply remove it from the pack so you can see what you are doing.

Rinse it with hot water.

You won't need bleach or cleaner if you don't fill it with things that leave residue and grow.

A pair of kitchen tongs are the trick that makes it really easy.

Grasp the middle of a lint free cloth or paper towel in the tongs and go at it!

If you find you need to get the towel to overlap the ends of the tongs, just twist the tongs and the towel will wrap around them.

To clean the drinking tube, simply poke fishing line through it, tie part of a cotton ball or scrap of paper towel in the end and pull through.

To easily keep everything clean without effort, only fill it with pure water instead of any mixes.

After you've wiped out the bladder, drop the towel and reinsert the tongs.

If they are the spring loaded type, they will hold it open to completely air dry as you see.

And there we go, a clean and dry hydration pack without needing to buy a kit that costs more than the original pack!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• clean
• dry
• hydration
• pack
• Camelbak
• bladder

[Drumlinedog]

geat idea with the fishing line.... thanks.....

[RJFerret]

@Drumlinedog You are welcome! @bizzarrogeorge yw too.

[20GATE91]

i was wondering how long can water be in a hydration bladder without being refrigerated

[RJFerret]

@20GATE91 Water doesn't need refrigeration since it doesn't spoil or rot. Potable water, particularly chlorinated water, should be able to be stored a long time since it should have reduced bacteria and algae. To minimize both, keep in a dark place. The US FDA does not specify a shelf life for water. However it can pickup flavors from it's container over time, storing in a cool place could help minimize that.

[20GATE91]

@RJFerret ok thanks alot! and another thing how can i get rid of the plastic taste? i've been trying to get rid of it for sometime

[RJFerret]

@20GATE91 I'm afraid I can't help much as fortunately mine hasn't had a plastic taste. I've read perhaps soaking a few hours with a baking soda solution...might be worth a try. Others say the hose might be the main culprit, in which case maybe replace it with a lined one? Good luck!

[956matrix]

Thx for the helpful vid

[Mojaggy]

Thank you. Simple, cheap, perfect. No fluff. Mine'll be clean tonight now.

[DENMONKEY]

Nice one

[jnwinca]

Great info!! My boys use their camelback every day during the summer and I didn't want mold to grow, now I know how to prevent it!!

[soarinivie]

best advice ever

[HUBCITYOUTDOOR]

Have you seen the new GEIGERRIG hydration packs that won the best new hardgoods product at the 2011 Outdoor Retailer show this year? They turn inside out and go in the top shelf of your dishwasher for cleaning. They also do a lot more than that. Search "How to clean a Geigerrig hydration pack" or "Field Test: Geigerrig Hydration System" on Youtube.

[YUCATUBE102000]

Thank you so muck :)

[beep41]

What about cleaning the drinking nozzle?

[Shwanzig]

@20GATE91 Rinse out with white vinegar.

[tonycns]

I just use a hair dryer for a couple minutes and done.