After many years of using nalgene bottles for drinking water, I'm trying out a hydration bladder (an Osprey). After using it the first time, I found that it is pretty difficult to get it completely dry after rinsing it out, which seems like an invitation to growth of bacteria, etc. I see that Osprey sells a hydration cleaning system with two tools and a custom drying rack, plus special cleaning tablets for soaking the bladder. Compared to the ease of washing nalgene bottles in the dishwasher, that whole cleaning system looks like a big pain (plus another expense).
How do you clean and dry your hydration bladder? The manufacturer's system? A DIY alternative? Rinse and hope? What...you're supposed to clean them??
Have any of you tried hydration bladders and later abandoned them as being too fussy?
Cleaning a hydration bladder
Re: Cleaning a hydration bladder
Yes. The cleaning hassle beat out the convenience of sipping while I walked. I like electrolytes in my water and getting them cleaned out of the bladder became too hard.jdemott wrote: Have any of you tried hydration bladders and later abandoned them as being too fussy?
Dave
Re: Cleaning a hydration bladder
When I used hydration bladders I liked to blindly assume that the materials were microbe-inhibiting and so it didn't need to be cleaned. Worked OK for me
I did abandon the bladder for some simple 1-liter plastic drinking water bottles. Nothing compares to the ease of refilling by just dunking your bottle in a stream! I occasionally miss the convenience of a bladder, but I probably drank too much water (like a nervous habit) when I always had that tube hanging by my face. I also like the bottles because they are lighter than bladders and because I store them in the side pockets of my pack... even if they leak, it won't get any of my important things wet.
I did abandon the bladder for some simple 1-liter plastic drinking water bottles. Nothing compares to the ease of refilling by just dunking your bottle in a stream! I occasionally miss the convenience of a bladder, but I probably drank too much water (like a nervous habit) when I always had that tube hanging by my face. I also like the bottles because they are lighter than bladders and because I store them in the side pockets of my pack... even if they leak, it won't get any of my important things wet.
Re: Cleaning a hydration bladder
I have a Deuter Streamer 3 liter bladder, made in Israel for Deuter by "Source". I've never had any problems with mold or mildew, I always wipe the inside of my bladder dry with paper towels before storing it. The tube is treated with something to inhibit mold/mildew, and it seems to work. I typically use the bladder on 10+ mile day hikes, but for shorter hikes I just use my Nalgene bottle(s) and sometimes throw in my Minworks EX MSR filter pump.
"Going to the mountains is going home."
— John Muir
— John Muir
Re: Cleaning a hydration bladder
I use CamelBak's cleaning kit with hot soapy water.
I've found that in between uses if I leave it in the refrigerator there is virtually no bacteria build up.
I've found that in between uses if I leave it in the refrigerator there is virtually no bacteria build up.
Re: Cleaning a hydration bladder
I bought the cleaning kit for my Platypus 2L bladders but I've never used it. I think the Platypus products have some sort of antimicrobial treatment in the plastic, at least the stuff that the hose is made out of.
But I only drink water from the bladders. I've given it a good rinsing with super hot water after each time I use it, and then before I refill it again for the next trip out I wash it with hot water and little soap. I force the hot soapy water down the tube and out the bite valve.
I give the bite valve a good washing before every trip. So far no issues, except that on my last hike (after 70+ hikes) the bite valve started doing the slow drip... time to replace it, I think.
If I was putting anything but water in it I'd probably use the cleaning kit...
But I only drink water from the bladders. I've given it a good rinsing with super hot water after each time I use it, and then before I refill it again for the next trip out I wash it with hot water and little soap. I force the hot soapy water down the tube and out the bite valve.
I give the bite valve a good washing before every trip. So far no issues, except that on my last hike (after 70+ hikes) the bite valve started doing the slow drip... time to replace it, I think.
If I was putting anything but water in it I'd probably use the cleaning kit...
Re: Cleaning a hydration bladder
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Last edited by forester on November 22nd, 2020, 8:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Cleaning a hydration bladder
Good stuff! Perfect way to clean a hydration bladder - lemon juice & baking soda.
Re: Cleaning a hydration bladder
Oh shoot, are you supposed to clean those things?
I probably haven't washed it more than a handful of times in the 3+ years I've owned it. And I take it out almost every weekend. I empty it out after every trip and air dry it.
I also never put anything but water in there.
I probably haven't washed it more than a handful of times in the 3+ years I've owned it. And I take it out almost every weekend. I empty it out after every trip and air dry it.
I also never put anything but water in there.
Re: Cleaning a hydration bladder
this is the key...jessbee wrote: I also never put anything but water in there.
I boil some water then pour it right in then close the lid, shake it like crazy, then pinch the bite valve and let it drain. Rinse with cold and stuff a Nalgene dryer (expands the inside) and let it air dry... takes several days.
Its a PITA compared to cheap water bottles. Someone makes a tube and bite valve that screws onto a hard nalgene bottle... my friend has one but I think it was exclusive or no longer made.
lightweight, cheap, strong... pick 2