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Post by crazykittensmile on Jun 6, 2007 15:51:10 GMT -5
I've seen threads about how to clean the bladder of a camelbak, but how do you thoroughly clean the tube and bitevalve? i haven't used my camelbak since last year's roo and i really don't wanna get cooties!
(i was gonna get one of the cleaning kits, but i couldn't find one at REI and it's too late to get one online, doh!)
I just ran a water/bleach mix through the tube and valve and then let it sit there for a few hours. The bleach will kill off anything growing inside. Then rinse it out real good and repeat if necessary. Finally, take some baking soda and mix it with water inside the bladder and allow some to run through the tube/valve as well. Let it sit...shake it around every once in a while...and rinse. Allow a full bladder's worth of bleach/water & baking soda/water to run through the tube/valve before you're ready to rinse.
It should be almost like new after that. The baking soda will get rid of the bleach smell/taste.
Hold the bladder up so it's higher than the tube and valve (make sure where the tube comes out of the bladder is at the bottom when you hold it up). Then just squeeze the valve and all the contents of the bladder will flow out. It will probably help if you do this over a sink.
Post by LucyRoo & AdamToo on Jun 6, 2007 19:20:58 GMT -5
If you do use bleach, make sure you rinse thoroughly! Very toxic. I use lemon juice and hot water to avoid the risk of getting sick from bleach. If your really worried about germs, hydrogen peroxide and water would work.
Glad this topic was posted. I have to clean both of mine. If you use very little bleach, you should be fine. Backpaking for days in the woods. Sometimes drops of bleach were used to purify some of the water. I am debating between taking my bladder in my backpack. Or trying to fit what I need into my Camelback pack. I don't want to keep running back to my tent for what I need. Ugh!!
I know my hubby and his mountain biking buds use Listerine for cleaning everything. he's had his Camelbak for years and no funky stuff and nothing better than killing Camelbak and gum germs at once! ;D
Post by spookymonster on Jun 7, 2007 11:31:00 GMT -5
The cleaning kit comes with 2 brushes. One is your basic bottle brush. The other is more of a pipe-cleaner with a really long handle.
I've heard that 2-3 drops of bleach in a full bladder works wonders for gunk. Just swish it back and forth in the tube a couple times (careful not to swallow any while it's at full potency) and it might do the trick. The bleach breaks down after a few hours, so one good rinse when you're done should be enough. Or so I've heard, at least.
Since everyone was singing praises about them here, I bought a bladder at the wickedmart for cheap, but it seems to be a good one. I wanted to put it in my backpack lounger backpack. Does anyone have an idea for something to wrap it in so it retains its shape and doesn't sweat all over everything?
Another thing, I have never used one of the sipper tubes before, but it seemed kinda hard to pull from unless the bag was held over my head. Do you ever have to enlarge the hole on those bite valves?
I'm gonna be real cute in my lounge chair with my water held over my head with an IV set up!
Salt and Alcohol also does the trick. Although there is something you do before any of this. Dry out your cammelbak! Keep your bladder clean. Ive had one for years and never had to really clean clean it ... Keeping it dry and stowed properly will save you from mold and such .. So after roo flush and dry it out. Saves you trouble when you are pressed for time. Good luck Lauraroo. You could just get a giant size ziplock slidder back and put the bladder in that. Cut a larger slit in the bite piece. Just remember too big and it will just leak all over your shoulder. Razor blade will do the trick just be safe. Good luck!
I think the mixture was like 2-3 drops of bleach per liter of water. I once ran into the problem of a funky camelbak and all I did was email them and they sent me cleaning instructions.
3) Baking Soda - Bicarbonate of Soda Mix baking soda with water and allow it to soak in the bladder - anywhere from an hour to overnight. If you are getting ready to use it the next day, it's best to allow it to dry overnight. How much baking soda? I've seen recommendations from 2 tablespoons to half a cup, mixed with hot water to help it dissolve. After it soaks, rinse thoroughly with warm water. 4) Baking Soda and Lemon or Lime Juice This combination is also recommended, but be warned that it produces a foaming action. Mix a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in a couple of cups of water, put it into the hydration bladder. Now add a similar amount of lemon juice or lime juice and be prepared for the bubbling. Allow that to sit for 30 minutes to overnight and rinse thoroughly with warm water. 5) Denture Cleaning Tablets Here's the easy way - use denture cleaning tablets. Drop them into water in the pack and allow it to work for 15 minutes as they recommend for detures. Rinse thoroughly. Some recommend not getting the ones with mint flavor unless you want your water to always taste minty fresh. 6) Baking Soda and Vinegar Fill the bladder, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar and shake it, then add 1 tablespoon baking powder then shake it. Now drain and rinse thoroughly. This is reported to be good to remove the chlorine taste after bleaching the bladder. 7) Bleach Solution Add a capful or teaspoon of bleach to enough water to fill the reservoir. Allow to bleach for an hour to overnight. Rinse very thoroughly with 4 or more changes of water. I would recommend then following that with the baking soda and lemon juice or vinegar to help remove the bleach flavor. But this is the best way to kill fungus and bacteria, especially if you see visible growth.
When you get home stick the pouch and tube into the freezer. as long as it is frozen the water will be fine until the next time you use it. it will be fine for a year or more without any funkiness. The cleaning racks are fine but they don't always allow the water to evaporate from every nook and cranie.
I do whatever my Rice Krispies tell me to...
