Cleaning water bladders

[huntnfmly]

Hey guys and gals I just got a new water bladder and was wondering what you all use to clean yours .
Thanks

[vandeman17]

Hot water and a little baking soda or bleach

[Westside88]

I went REI to ask this very question. They had some individual cleaning packs available, but the girl there gave me what I think is a good tip. She rinses here out and then stores the bladder in the freezer when not in use, to keep it from getting funky. It makes sense to me.

[WapitiTalk1]

Yes, storing in freezer in between uses works well. As far as cleaning new or old bladders, I use the fizzy tabs; several companies make them.

[huntnfmly]

Thanks guys I've also heard about storing in freezer

[Magnum_Willys]

Vinegar ?

[bracer40]

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/how-to-clean-a-hydration-bladder.html

[Alchase]

Rinse with water and a cap of bleach. Will kill any nasties.

[Stein]

First step is to not put anything in there except water. 

I wash mine with soapy water and dry.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Magnum_Willys]

From link above looks like quite a few options - 20 min soak recommended. 

Reservoir cleaning tablets: no measuring needed. Just pop in a tablet specifically formulated to remove deposits that can build up in your hydration system over time.

Baking soda: an all-around cleaner that’s effective against odors. Platypus recommends ¼ cup of baking soda in ¾ cups of water per liter of volume in your reservoir.

Household bleach: kills bacteria and viruses. Platypus recommends using 2 to 5 drops of unscented household bleach per liter of water. Note that you can combine bleach and baking soda together for a more thorough cleaning.

Lemon juice: helps neutralize really strong odors. Platypus recommends using ¼ cup of lemon juice per liter of water. It can also be combined with bleach and/or baking soda, but you need to point the reservoir opening away from you because lemon juice and baking soda produce a fizzy reaction.

Denture-cleaning tablets: Though not specifically made for a hydration system, these are used by some people as inexpensive alternative cleaning tablets.

Pull a knotted cord thru hose was a good suggestion

[Karl Blanchard]

Wait a sec.....you're supposed to clean those things? 

[Alchase]

Wait a sec.....you're supposed to clean those things? 

LOL, that's me, every year until a day or two before I leave to hunt again I remember I have not touched my water bladder in almost a year.
Then I will usually rinse a few times, then do a teaspoon of bleach in a full bladder and drain  it through the mouth piece.
Rinse once more and re-fill, good to-go!

[kselkhunter]

I've used both vinegar and the diluted bleach methods.  Both seem to work fine.  It is key to dry well after cleaning.  I have a wine decanter stand that I like to put mine on.  There is also a specific stand made to put water bladders on for drying.  There are also little pipe cleaners sold for the water tubes that connect to the reservoir. 

[Seahawk12]

After each use I like to rinse them, then fill them about quarter of the way with water and a little lemon juice and put it in the freezer.
You have to be cafeful how you prop it so the tube opening and fill spout dont get iced over. Just top it off before heading out next time.
I never did this specifically to eliminate bacteria etc., but to ensure I would have cold, refreshing water all day. The fact that it eliminates the nasties is a big bonus though.

[Alchase]

You guys that put them in the freezer, aren't you worried about the plastic breaking down?

[branches]

We have just cleaned the bladder with fresh water and then let it dry out. We put a wire in the bladder to keep it open to dry it out Just hang it up and wipe it out first.

[Seahawk12]

You guys that put them in the freezer, aren't you worried about the plastic breaking down?

Not at all.
I've been doing it for 15 or 20 years and I can't say its hurt them any more than normal wear and tear does.

[HikerHunter]

I clean with soap and water at some point after I return, then put the hose in the bladder to prop it open and hang it in my closet for a week to dry

[yakimanoob]

Pretty well covered here.  If you can get them BONE DRY, then it doesn't matter where you store them; but good luck getting them properly dry unless you have a reversible hydrapak (Can't say I don't want one of those...  but I already have an Osprey Hydraulics one that's got a lifetime warranty on it sooooooo).  If you're going more than a few weeks between uses, the freezer is a good option and definitely won't bother the plastic. 

@Stein isn't wrong, but for me adding some electrolytes a la nuun tabs is a game-changer for my energy level on stiff climbs.  Adding sugars to the equation definitely makes proper cleaning more important and necessary more often, but for me it's worth it. 

[huntnfmly]

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond with your experience and info