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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Camelback Cleaning? (Read 2309 times)
Avlrider
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Camelback Cleaning?
08/03/15 at 1:40pm
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What other methods do you use to clean the camelback bladder?...when those cleaning tablets dont work.
  
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Tom F
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #1 - 08/03/15 at 1:50pm
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I've heard of people using Poli dent tablets.
Personally have used dish soap and a brush and lots of rinsing.
  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #2 - 08/03/15 at 1:55pm
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I use the camelback brush and tube cleaner to clean it. I bought these from REI but I'm sure you can get them at anyplace that sells camelbacks.
  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #3 - 08/03/15 at 4:20pm
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One thing that I find really helps is keeping it in the freezer when you aren't using it.
  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #4 - 08/03/15 at 7:14pm
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If you get polydent, it makes it super minty after.  I'm not into it personally. I tried for a while to find non minty polydent, but no one carries it.  

I use hydrogen peroxide.  I put about half a bottle in (can't be more than 50 cents worth or something), then swish it around for a few seconds, drain some through the mouthpiece, then let it sit.  I'll keep it like that for a day or overnight.  Then I just brush it with a bottle brush or a camelback brush, and rinse it until it tastes ok.  Hydrogen peroxide just turns into water after it reacts with any germs or fungus.  It tastes a bit "chalky" if any gets left behind, but with enough rinsing, the taste goes completely away.  It will kill just about anything that isn't stuck on in there.  

« Last Edit: 08/03/15 at 7:15pm by slowgoat »  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #5 - 08/03/15 at 7:29pm
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Dirkdee wrote on 08/03/15 at 4:20pm:
One thing that I find really helps is keeping it in the freezer when you aren't using it.


I agree, also NEVER put anything in it besides water.
  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #6 - 08/03/15 at 9:03pm
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Dirkdee wrote on 08/03/15 at 4:20pm:
One thing that I find really helps is keeping it in the freezer when you aren't using it.



I do this as well.
  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #7 - 08/03/15 at 10:05pm
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I rinse mine after every use. Drain the hose.

Turn the bladder upside down. And leave the cap off.

Maybe a short bleach rinse occasionally. Never had a problem.

« Last Edit: 08/03/15 at 10:08pm by IntheBush »  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #8 - 08/03/15 at 10:49pm
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Ha! Never clean mine--just refill it 3-6 times a week and ride!
  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #9 - 08/03/15 at 11:24pm
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Empty the water out.  Leave it to dry with the cap off.  Reuse.

Every few months, I'll put the cleaning tablets in it.  I don't know if I'd rinse it with anything else..  The tablets seems to do well and make the water taste very fresh.
  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #10 - 08/03/15 at 11:44pm
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CltMTBer wrote on 08/03/15 at 10:49pm:
Ha! Never clean mine--just refill it 3-6 times a week and ride!

^this. Been using this one for 2 years. Every month or so I'll fill it with fresh water and "shake it" then empty it out and fill it back up. good to go!
  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #11 - 08/04/15 at 12:06am
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I just went through this with some friends of mine, who seemed disgusted by the fact that I have "cleaned" it with dish soap and warm water only 4 or 5 times in as many years. So I went searching online for easy ways to clean it. Here's the best one I found: 

Fill your Camelback about halfway with water and then pour in some white vinegar (does the same job as bleach without the risk or aftertaste). I just pour 3 or 4 ounces in. Put the cap on and swish it back and forth a bunch of times and then fold the bladder a bit and push down on it while squeezing the mouthpiece (sends water shooting down through the hose and into the sink). Then rinse it out a few times (MAKE SURE YOU RINSE THE HOSE - Had a first sip that tasted like vinegar once when I forgot). Then, for my own piece of mind, I repeat the process with warm soapy water after. Rinse. Repeat. 

But yeah - don't put anything other than water in it. And yeah, keep it more or less empty and in the freezer when you aren't using it. That way you end up with a nice chunk of ice to cool your water.
  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #12 - 08/04/15 at 4:51am
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I also keep mine in the freezer year round when not in use, and ONLY put water in all of mine. Never had any problems with mold or funky smells/tastes, so I must be doing something right. After each use I empty mine out and rinse it again, empty the hose as best as possible and wipe it dry before letting it air-dry for a few minutes and throw it back in the freezer.
  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #13 - 08/04/15 at 1:25pm
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I love the Hydrapak bladders since you can turn them inside out to really dry well.  I've used some tablets (Nuun, camelback elixir, etc) to no ill effects.
« Last Edit: 08/04/15 at 1:29pm by rob1035 »  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #14 - 08/04/15 at 1:39pm
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I use the same Camelbak for riding as I do for Hare Scramble racing. During races I run a 50/50 mix of G2 Gatorade and water. Flush it after each ride when I get home and unload the gear, never had a mold issue. Same Camelbak going on 3+ years now.
  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #15 - 08/04/15 at 4:22pm
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IntheBush wrote on 08/03/15 at 10:05pm:
I rinse mine after every use. Drain the hose.

Turn the bladder upside down. And leave the cap off.

Maybe a short bleach rinse occasionally. Never had a problem.



+1.   I also insert a paper towel into the open lid to help "wick" out any remaining moisture that may want to become cruddy.

 
  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #16 - 08/04/15 at 5:24pm
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After each ride I remove the bladder, rinse it out thoroughly, dry the inside out with a clean dish towel and then lay it on my deck rail in the sun for a bit with a small round plastic prop inside to keep the innards separated.  Never had an issue with smells or odd flavors.  It's usually completely dry in no time. Occasionally I soak the mouthpiece in a bit of vinegar and water just for good measure.  Soaking it a few minutes in Retainer Brite cleaner works well too.
  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #17 - 08/04/15 at 5:58pm
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I use those in my pack.  So much easier to clean, just reverse it and throw it in the dishwasher, then let it dry out.
  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #18 - 08/04/15 at 9:01pm
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Wait...you clean your camelback? Huh
  
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Re: Camelback Cleaning?
Reply #19 - 08/06/15 at 8:40pm
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I found walmart brand denture cleaner tablets that don't have a minty flavor.  I use two of those every couple of weeks.  Otherwise, I just rinse and hang it in the pantry to dry.
  
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