Image this: you’re on a hike, bushwalk or different journey, maintaining tempo. It’s a heat day, and also you attain on your hydration hose. Sucking in a mouthful of water you style a cool, not-quite-right flavour that screams, “Hey, you’ve been cleansing your sleeping bag greater than your hydration bladder!” To be trustworthy, I’m not good and guilted myself into penning 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, Supply, CamelBak, or my favorite that I’ve been utilizing for 8 years, Hydrapack, that are top-shelf dishwasher secure and may flip inside-out like a sock) and preserve your water tasting as crisp as that creek you simply crossed.
Why Cleansing Your Hydration Bladder Issues
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, but it surely may doubtlessly make you sick, which is the very last thing you need once you’re nonetheless hours away from civilisation.
Fast Cleansing After Every Journey
One of the best upkeep behavior is giving your bladder a fast clear after each hike. Right here’s how I do mine:
- Empty any remaining water utterly from all elements (bladder, hose and chew valve)
- Add it to my washing up pile on the kitchen sink and wash with heat (not sizzling) water
- Suck it as much as get the soapy water by means of the hose
- Rinse with heat water
- Cling it the other way up with the opening on the backside and a cardboard tube inside to maintain it open (see image)
- 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!)
- Depart it to dry utterly earlier than storing
That easy routine will forestall most points, however each few adventures (and particularly after an extended multi-day journey), you’ll need to do a deeper clear.
Deep Cleansing Your Hydration Bladder
What You’ll Want
Step-by-Step Cleansing Course of
1. Disassemble All the things
Take aside all parts—take away the tube, chew valve, and some other removable elements. Many valves have small elements that may be separated for thorough cleansing.
2. Preliminary Rinse
Flush the complete system with heat water to take away any free particles.
3. Soapy Wash
Add a couple of 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 shake. The baking soda helps neutralise odours whereas the cleaning soap breaks down residue.
4. Scrub Time
Use a smooth 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 answer and pinch each ends, then work the answer by means of by gently bending and squeezing the tube.
5. Deal with the Chunk Valve
The chew valve deserves additional consideration because it’s the place your mouth contacts the system and is the place my heresy lives. Soak it in your cleansing answer, then use a small brush (a clear toothbrush works nicely) 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. Closing Rinse
Totally rinse all the pieces with clear water a number of instances till all cleaning soap and vinegar smells are gone.
8. Correct Drying – The Most Essential Step!
That is the place most individuals fall brief. Correct drying prevents mould development:
- Cling 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
- Maintain the tube hanging straight down (I exploit a curtain hook with clip from Ikea. Bunnings or Highlight have comparable 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!)
- Retailer in a cool, dry place out of direct daylight
- Enable 24-48 hours for full drying
Coping with Cussed Mould or Odours
For those who’ve uncared for your bladder and found mould (we’ve all been there!), don’t panic:
- Create an answer with two tablespoons of baking soda and 500ml of water
- Fill the bladder and let it soak in a single day
- Within the morning, add 1 / 4 cup of white vinegar and let the fizzing motion work for about 5 minutes
- Rinse totally and comply with 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 guaranteeing all the pieces is totally dry:
- Some people swear by holding the bladder of their freezer to forestall 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
- Maintain it open for airflow
How Typically Ought to You Change Your Hydration Bladder?
Even with correct care, most bladders must be changed each 2-3 years relying on how usually you utilize them, particularly if Dante could be proud. Search for indicators like:
- Persistent dangerous style or odour regardless of cleansing
- Seen mould that received’t clear off
- Cracks or leaks
- Chunk 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 secure. Most different manufacturers advocate hand washing.
Closing Ideas
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 pleasure—so ensure what you’re ingesting is as contemporary because the air round you and will your water at all times style pretty much as good as these summit views look!
