Are you looking for an effective guide on how to clean a hydration bladder? Unfortunately, you may have already experienced bad odors in a hiking bottle or a hydration bladder. After a few outings, this gourd becomes nauseating, and water systematically takes on an unpleasant taste.
Even if rinsing it regularly, the phenomenon persists. So much so that you simply plan to get rid of it. But stop there! Before heading to the trash, read these few techniques to clean a hydration bladder or hiking bottle to save your favorite canister…
Bad Odors and Strong Taste: Why?
Like any freshly purchased product, a hiking water bottle or a new hydration bladder is likely to smell musty. Conversely, a container that has been used multiple times can also be the source of an unpleasant odor and taste due to the many bacteria that accumulate inside.
There is unfortunately not much to do against this since these are installed during multiple manipulations (opening and closing the gourd or opening and closing the valve of the pipette of the water bag) or simply in contact with our mouths!
And if you are used to filling your water bottle with coffee or energy drinks, the deposits will give them enough to develop. So is all lost? Absolutely not, and I’ll a few techniques to give you to get rid of odors.
How to Clean a Hydration Bladder: 3 Tips!
See how to clean a hydration bladder or a hiking bottle step by step:
Let’s start with the most common practice to clean a hydration bladder or hiking bottle: mixing hot water and washing up liquid. This method – certainly classic – is nevertheless very effective in getting rid of persistent odors.
To do this, it’s not rocket science: just fill your bottle or your pocket with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. After vigorously shaking this soapy mixture, use a bottle brush to clean the inside of the bladder and rid it of potential microorganisms. Rinse and let air dry to prevent mold from appearing. That’s it!
If the smell and taste persist after that, you have to go to the next step: one third of vinegar for two thirds of water to which you can add a few drops of lemon. Leave the mixture to act all night to cleanse the walls of its impurities and rinse thoroughly with clean water the next day.
If you don’t have white vinegar, two to three tablespoons of baking soda (food grade) and warm water will do just fine. With that, you should definitely be at peace.
Hydration bladder holders, this parenthesis will be of interest to you: the bad smells emanating from your hiking equipment are the result of mold that settles inside the hydration bag but also in the tube. If the odorous smells or the bad taste persist, it is better to dismantle the elements one by one and use a cleaning kit with a suitable brush or turn to clean tablets to slip directly into the pocket.
After washing and drying properly, you can store your hydration bladder in the freezer to avoid the proliferation of bacteria. We really insist on well-dried… Otherwise you will have surprises!
Maintaining Your Hiking Bottle or Hydration Bladder Over Time: The Secret!
Certainly, it is much more tempting to leave your water bottle or hydration bladder in your hiking backpack after long hours of walking. But would you leave your sweat-stained, mud-stained hiking clothes in the corner without putting them in the washing machine after your ride? Well, the same goes for your water bottle or your pocket.
Rinsing and drying your bottle after each use is imperative to avoid altering its contents afterward. And if you regularly carry out a little cleaning, you will often avoid situations that require bringing out the heavy artillery for in-depth disinfection!
I hope this guide helped you to clean a hydration bladder or hiking bottle easily.
FAQs
How to clean a hydration bladder or hiking bottle?
I recommend you buy a cleaning kit dedicated to this system. Brushes are the best way to clean any area of the hydration bladder. For cleaning, we recommend using soap and water and drying the bag well after each use, especially if used with other liquids than water.
You can also follow this video:
How to get rid of bad taste and odors in a hydration bladder?
Bad tasting water is usually caused by poor quality plastic, as well as sanitation. When choosing a hydration bladder, you should keep in mind that it is BPA, BPS and GMP free. If the brand you own doesn’t meet these specifications, you can try to combat the plastic effect by filling the hydration bladder 3/4 full with hot water and inserting a spoonful of baking soda into it, then leaving let the solution to sit for about 45 minutes.
Don’t forget to rinse the pocket well!
Is there a way to fight mold?
The hydration bladder should be kept clean and dry. Some athletes store their empty tanks in the freezer. If you leave deposits in the pocket for a long time or use it with liquids other than water without cleaning it properly after each use, mold can develop.
Hot water and two tablespoons of baking soda or bleach can be used to remove them. Hold the reservoir in place and pinch Big Bite™ Valve, allowing the solution to flow into the hose; then allow the detergent to sit for 30 minutes. When you have finished, wash the tank with warm water and neutral soap, then rinse thoroughly. Air dry to avoid moisture stagnation.
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