16/12/2009: South Africa How To Keep Your Hydration System Clean Cleaning
To clean a bladder made of food-grade polyurethane or vinyl you should:
* Fill the bladder and hose with warm water and no more than a teaspoon of chlorine bleach.
* Soak overnight
* Rinse very well with warm water
To remove odors and flavors, try this easy method:
* Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1.5 cups water
* Pour this mixture into the bladder and shake well
* Holding the bag away from your face, add 1/2 cup of lemon juice and shake. CAUTION: this will cause gas to build up in the bladder so be sure to let it vent it well
* After the effervescence has settled (about ten minutes), expel as much air as possible, cap the bladder and let it sit for about 20 minutes
* Rinse completely several times with hot water
Storage
First and foremost, never, ever store a hydration bladder wet. Equally as bad is storing a partially full bladder in a pack until the next time you plan to head out.
If, after a particularly long storage period without proper cleaning you discover your bladder is hosting mold and bacteria, the following recipe may be enough to refresh it:
* Using one teaspoon of chlorine bleach for every liter of warm water, soak the bladder for up to 12 hours
* Rinse the bladder very thoroughly and dry it completely before storing
