Cleaning out Camelbak Bladders/Tubes

Unknown · May 2007

Well i gots me a Camelbak coming this week and am aware that a certain amount of cleaning needs to be carried out to stop the build up of mould etc. I was looking at getting a cleaning brush for the tubes but there all about œ7 and seem a bit overpriced....so was wondering if anyone had any ray mears-esque methods for keeping everything clean and shiny?[:D]

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Brightywmb · May 2007

I've got a platypus bladder and find the best thing to do is keep in in the freezer between rides, just rinse it out after each ride and bung it in the deep freeze. Never had any problems

Brighty

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Anonymous · May 2007

Not really, you can get packs from decathlon if you are near one, does included the long brush you link to and also a hanger for expanding the bladder whilst it dries, think they are about the same price but it does included the extra.

Any baby sterilising tablets/liquid will do, soak for a while, empty all water and then freeze until the next time you use.

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Unknown · May 2007

I use Milton tabs but I must admit that the really long skinny cleaning brush is very useful particularly if you forget to clean and get an algie like substance forming[xx(]

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AlexHwmb · May 2007

I've had a Camelbak "Rogue" for years and have always managed with a good rinse and the occassional sterilisation by filling the bladder with water and dropping in half a "Milton" tablet (you get them in boots & mothercare etc) - make sure you force the water through the hose once the tablet has disolved though...

I guess it depends what you're usually filling it with though - I tend to stick with water but if you're using something that contains natural sugars and so on it might grow more mold![xx(]

Alex

pmerryman · May 2007

Here are some FAQ with regards the Camelback.

Cheers Paul
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ratty2k · May 2007

I do the same as Brighty, rinse it followed by chucking it into the freezer. Never had any problems with mould and it still looks as good as new getting on for 2 years old.

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tremor · May 2007

just the bladders in the freezer or the tubes as well?

Unknown · May 2007

Can I put my CamelBak© reservoir in the freezer?
No. The freezing process makes the plastic brittle. Also, when water freezes it expands leading to the possibility of rupturing the reservoir.

Supposedly don't put either in, I just let mine rinse and get clean with sterilising tablets, empty it out, put a few runs of luke warm water through until clean, then get some tongs and put them inside, that allows it to be open and dry out. Cheap but also effective.

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Unknown · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by giantlover

Can I put my CamelBak© reservoir in the freezer?
No. The freezing process makes the plastic brittle. Also, when water freezes it expands leading to the possibility of rupturing the reservoir.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yeah i read that, but there seems to be a lot of people who do use the freezer technique with no ill effects....maybe camelbak just say that to make people buy their sterilizer tablets/brushes etc?

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Anonymous · May 2007

I've used the same bladder for the past 2.5 years, in the freezer after every wash, not done me any harm, the plastic is flexibe, so I doubt it would become as brittle as less flexible plastics, plus its really the only way of keeping it totally germ free

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Unknown · May 2007

i use the freezer technique and so do my friends. never had any problems, get home, fill with water, rinse out, empty water, whack in the freezer. only problem is sometimes i forget to defrost it before a ride and you have to use very hot water/kettle water

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Unklehomer · May 2007

it will be more brittle while frozen, take it out an hour before you go, you'll be fine

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saz · May 2007

I keep mine in the freezer, bladder and tubes. I wash it in hot water too and run hot water through the tube to rinse it. (I only use water in mine tho) Never had any probs apart from forgetting it till the last minute and having to defrost it! Lol![:I]

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Unknown · May 2007

I got loads of mank in the tube of mine any ideas how to get it out cheaply?

Dunk

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Anonymous · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Unklehomer

it will be more brittle while frozen, take it out an hour before you go, you'll be fine<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Unless you live in the North pole in won't stay frozen

[;)]

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Unknown · May 2007

Yeh but that doesn't get the mold out just freezes it. I want it out any ideas?

Dunk

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Unknown · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dunk

Yeh but that doesn't get the mold out just freezes it. I want it out any ideas?

Dunk<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

To quote from another source i was reading on this subject on cleaning tubes:

a) To clean the tube you want a bit of string or strong fishing line and a thin strip of cloth tie the thin strip of cloth to the line so the cloth is centeral and drop the line down the tube ( a few bits of lead fishing shot on the other end of the line makes it drop through nice and easyly and pull it through..

b) i use a new gear cable inner wire and a small ball of bog roll , wet the bog roll and push through the tube with the wire ,

c) Tie a knot in a shoe lace and pull through the tube, gets all the black gunk out, works for me..

and there is:

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/cleaning-hydration-pack.htm

I ordered myself a deuter brush off crc earlier today, after reading these cheapo eays of doing it i am going to cancel the order methinks[:D]

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Unknown · May 2007

Awesome will try that cheers. [:D]

Dunk

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rumour control · May 2007

If you put the bladder in the freezer...tell the bloomin mrs! My gel snapped the tube off my camelbak as its obviously very brittle when frozen. Now i have tied 6 zip ties together to make a sort of bottle shape and just slide it inside the bladder to let the air circulate and dry it out. I also leave the water in there in the summer and just wash it the night before i use it. This depends how long you have between rides though

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Unknown · May 2007

How do you get the hose off i can't get the end attactched to the balder off any tips?

Dunk

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Unknown · May 2007

I have heard its a pain in the ass to get the tubes off, Nalgene quick release anyone?, but i would imagine the best way to get it off is to soak it in hot water so the rubber expands and is more pliable and then yank it like its going out of fashion[:D]

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Unknown · May 2007

Cheers tried yanking but that didn't work will try hot water.

Dunk

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sickinthebin · May 2007

Hi All,

Sorry to flog a dead horse (or camel) but i've just got myself a new Camelbak too and have been checking the forum for info on cleaning and storing. Lots of votes for storing in the freezer and that sounds sensible to me but i just wanted to double check that you can safely remove the hose from the bladder.

It seems pretty securely attached and i thought i should check that it is designed to be removed before i employ my normal technique of charging straight in like a bull in a china shop (sorry about all the livestock analogies by the way)and ripping it off. Similar with the bite valve, should that be removed?

This thread seems to say you can, but better safe than sorry.

Unknown · May 2007

removing teh hose is really hard it took me and my dad pulling on it and hot water to get it off. If i was you i would juts take teh valve off and leave it at that.

Dunk

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Ticaboy · May 2007

I bought the full cleaning kit with the drying hanger too. Can't see it wearing out too quickly, and has been designed to do the job in hand. It is a bit expensive for what it is, but keeps your Camelbak nice n clean, and mould-free. It's also cheaper than having to buy new bits for the Camelbak, and is certainly better than swigging a mouthful of mould-tanted fluid without you realising.

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Unknown · May 2007

Haha I have had mine two months and never
cleaned it yet just keep toping it up
with water

No growth yet

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Unknown · May 2007

To clean the bladder, hose and mouth piece - wash after every ride (preferably the same day!) with soapy water, using a camelbak specific long bottle brush in the tube. Then hang to dry using the Camelbak hanger. I rinse out with Milton Sterilising fluid prior to riding.

I've been doing this for about 6 years now. Still using the same bladder with no problems at all.

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Cleaning out Camelbak Bladders/Tubes

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