Best way to clean/dry water bladders

[7mmfan]

I have never used a water bladder in my pack before, but was given a new pack not that long ago that had one so what the heck. My wife and I went for a hike over the weekend and I emptied the remaining water, but cannot seem to get it dry inside. The last thing I want to do is put it away damp. What have you found is the best way to clean and dry these bladders?

[NRA4LIFE]

Store it with some water and a small amount of bleach mixed in.  Rinse well before using the next time.

[pianoman9701]

I wipe 'em out with paper towels and a long-handled spoon. I always run a little bleach through them before using again. Make sure you clean them every few days of hunting, too. They'll get nasty.

[whitey]

I empty them and fashion a wire hanger/ or any piece of wire to insert in the bladder as hold the bladder open to allow air into them and hang upside down.

[andersonjk4]

I empty them and fashion a wire hanger/ or any piece of wire to insert in the bladder as hold the bladder open to allow air into them and hang upside down.

  Or I have hung mine upside down and put a wire wisk in it to hold it open and let air circulate inside it.

[Jingles]

One way to hold it open would be to use a wooden clothes pin. open the clothes pin and insert the closed end into the bladder opening the pin will try to close because of the spring and hold the bladder opening open

[huntnnw]

buy a bladder with a open end, not like the platapus with a little screw on cap..makes cleaning them a joke. Mine doesnt sit long enough to worry about it always being used

[7mmfan]

Alright so basically they are as much of a pain in the arse as I thought they would be. Good to know! Some good ideas to try here, thanks guys.

[wilsongideon]

There is a kit you can buy...comes with a small long tube brush and bigger bladder brush. Also comes with a plastic hanger that goes inside and allows the bladder to dry

[swanny]

I hang mine upside down and then stuff some paper towel in the top (which is now the bottom). Let them sit for a day or two and all the moisture gets sucked up by the paper towel. Then just store them with the lid open so they can breathe. You can also store them in your freezer to ensure nothing grows inside them.

[suga]

There is a kit you can buy...comes with a small long tube brush and bigger bladder brush. Also comes with a plastic hanger that goes inside and allows the bladder to dry

Camelbak has a pretty good variety of cleaning kits, http://shop.camelbak.com/accessories/replacements/cleaning-kits/l/326  I use their cleaning tabs in all of my bladders - keeps the bladders from tasting like soap or other cleaning detergents.
 

[Mudman]

Buy the clean kit, works well.  I use vinegar and water to clean.  At end of season or use I will bleach soak/clean. Hang open to dry n store. I used gun cleaning kit to get mold out of tube years ago.  Oops, tasted like crap for a year!

[Jdk22]

Keep it in the freezer 

[whacker1]

never an issue.  I leave them full, drain them.  other times I empty and dry them.  I always use them and clean them rarely.  I have multiple different water bladders and have never had any  problems.  flush them out if they have been full for awhile.

[T-Dozzer]

Camel back makes a cleaning kit.

[jay.sharkbait]

Fill it Bourbon

[Westside88]

I asked this same question at REI. The girl working there sold me some of the disinfectant tablets but also suggested that she puts hers in the freezer for storage. No chance of it getting funky that way. Works out well

[7mmfan]

Fill it Bourbon

Best idea yet

[crdmax]

I use efferdent denture cleaner to clean mine...couple tablets and fill with water and let sit for 10-15 min, empty and rinse, let air dry!!! Don't have to worry about bleach or vinegar flavor!!!

[Skyvalhunter]

Denture cleaners for the bag and they do make a brush to clean the tube.

[Zardoz]

Fill it Bourbon

Best idea yet

Good idea, but use Vodka or Tequila, it won't stain it.   

[Bean Counter]

I don't think I've ever washed mine. I figure that since I only --wait for it-- run water through it that it doesn't need to be washed with soap/disinfectant. . I always rinse it out and air dry it, usually propped open with a spatula.

[7mmfan]

I don't think I've ever washed mine. I figure that since I only --wait for it-- run water through it that it doesn't need to be washed with soap/disinfectant. . I always rinse it out and air dry it, usually propped open with a spatula.

 

[Jonathan_S]

I'm currently running instant rice. Sprinkle a little in when you're home, then dump it out a few days later. Doesn't leave any residue.