How to Clean Your Hydration Bladder: The Complete Guide

Picture this: you’re on a hike, bushwalk or different journey, maintaining a great tempo. It’s a heat day, and also you attain in your hydration hose. Sucking in a mouthful of water you style a cool, not-quite-right flavour that screams, “Hey, you’ve been cleaning your sleeping bag more than your hydration bladder!” To be sincere, I’m not good and guilted myself into scripting this information as a result of I simply checked out my chew valve and it was like wanting into Dante’s sixth cycle of hell, HERESY!

Let’s dive into the straightforward steps to totally clear your hydration bladder (whether or not it’s a Platypus, Source, CamelBak, or my favorite that I’ve been utilizing for 8 years, Hydrapack, that are top-shelf dishwasher protected and may flip inside-out like a sock) and maintain your water tasting as crisp as that creek you simply crossed.

Why Cleaning Your Hydration Bladder Matters

That moist (there’s that phrase), dank surroundings inside your hydration reservoir is the proper breeding floor for mould, micro organism, and biofilm—that slimy stuff that builds up over time (hmmm, tasty!). Not solely can this make your water style like a fish milkshake within the solar, nevertheless it may doubtlessly make you sick, which is the very last thing you need whenever you’re nonetheless hours away from civilisation.

Quick Cleaning After Each Adventure

The finest upkeep behavior is giving your bladder a fast clear after each hike. Here’s how I do mine:

1. Empty any remaining water utterly from all elements (bladder, hose and chew valve)
2. Add it to my washing up pile on the kitchen sink and wash with heat (not scorching) water
3. Suck it as much as get the soapy water by means of the hose
4. Rinse with heat water
5. Hang it the other way up with the opening on the backside and a cardboard tube inside to maintain it open (see image)
6. Impersonate a cowgirl by holding the hose by the chew valve and swinging it round to push extra water out (be careful you don’t hit something or anybody!)
7. Leave it to dry utterly earlier than storing

That easy routine will stop most points, however each few adventures (and particularly after an extended multi-day journey), you’ll wish to do a deeper clear.

Deep Cleaning Your Hydration Bladder

What You’ll Need

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

1. Disassemble Everything

Take aside all parts—take away the tube, chew valve, and every other removable elements. Many valves have small elements that may be separated for thorough cleansing.

2. Initial Rinse

Flush the whole system with heat water to take away any unfastened particles.

3. Soapy Wash

Add just a few drops of dishwashing liquid and about two tablespoons of baking soda to heat water. Fill your bladder about midway, then seal it up and provides it a great shake. The baking soda helps neutralise odours whereas the cleaning soap breaks down residue.

4. Scrub Time

Use a comfortable bottle brush to softly scrub the within partitions of the bladder. Pay particular consideration to corners and seams the place gunk goes to die.

For the ingesting tube, both use a specialised tube brush or fill the tube along with your cleansing resolution and pinch each ends, then work the answer by means of by gently bending and squeezing the tube.

5. Tackle the Bite Valve

The chew valve deserves further consideration because it’s the place your mouth contacts the system and is the place my heresy lives. Soak it in your cleansing resolution, then use a small brush (a clear toothbrush works properly) to scrub all of the nooks and crannies.

6. Vinegar Rinse

For cussed tastes or smells, create an answer with one half white vinegar to 4 elements water. Fill the bladder and let it sit for about 20 minutes. The gentle acid in vinegar is great for killing micro organism and neutralising odours.

7. Final Rinse

Thoroughly rinse every thing with clear water a number of instances till all cleaning soap and vinegar smells are gone.

8. Proper Drying – The Most Critical Step!

This is the place most individuals fall brief. Proper drying prevents mould development:

• Hang your bladder the other way up with the opening on the backside
• Use a cardboard tube inside to maintain it open (see image)
• Place paper towels inside to soak up extra moisture
• Keep the tube hanging straight down (I take advantage of a curtain hook with clip from Ikea. Bunnings or Spotlight have related ones too)
• Impersonate a cowgirl by holding the hose at one finish and swinging it round to push extra water out (be careful you don’t hit something or anybody!)
• Store in a cool, dry place out of direct daylight
• Allow 24-48 hours for full drying

Dealing with Stubborn Mould or Odours

If you’ve uncared for your bladder and found mould (we’ve all been there!), don’t panic:

1. Create an answer with two tablespoons of baking soda and 500ml of water
2. Fill the bladder and let it soak in a single day
3. In the morning, add 1 / 4 cup of white vinegar and let the fizzing motion work for about 5 minutes
4. Rinse totally and observe the cleansing steps above

For persistent issues, strive denture cleansing tablets (like Polident or Steradent)—they’re good for breaking down buildup!

Storing Your Hydration Bladder Between Hikes

After making certain every thing is totally dry:

• Some folks swear by preserving the bladder of their freezer to stop bacterial development (I’ve by no means had to do that)
• Alternatively, retailer it with a clear paper towel (or that cardboard tube) inside to maintain the partitions from sticking collectively
• Keep it open for airflow

How Often Should You Replace Your Hydration Bladder?

Even with correct care, most bladders ought to be changed each 2-3 years relying on how usually you utilize them, particularly if Dante can be proud. Look for indicators like:

• Persistent unhealthy style or odour regardless of cleansing
• Visible mould that gained’t clear off
• Cracks or leaks
• Bite valve deterioration the place the silicon is perishing

Can You Put A Hydration Reservoir In A Dishwasher?

Some manufacturers, like my HydraPak are top-shelf dishwasher protected. Most different manufacturers advocate hand washing.

Final Thoughts

A clear hydration bladder is could make a giant distinction in your outside expertise. Don’t gross your self out (like I did) by leaving it too lengthy.

And keep in mind, staying hydrated on the observe is essential for security and delight—so be sure that what you’re ingesting is as recent because the air round you and should your water at all times style nearly as good as these summit views look!

Further Reading