An Ask Heloise question: How do you clean your Camelbak?

[Tri Girl]

I've got a question for you? How do you clean your Camelbak? I have the long brushes and the cleaning tabs that they sell, but I was wondering if you use baking soda or another home remedy to really clean it out good. Mine is a couple years old, and it's got a little mold (the bladder isn't removeable, so I'm hoping there's not more mold that I can't see where the bladder is sewn to the backpack).
I need to take it with me Sat. on my cross state bike ride, and was thinking there might be something else to help get it extra, sparkling clean- without the use of chemicals.
Thanks :)

[Becky]

I hate cleaning Camelbaks. I never put anything but water in mine. When I return from a ride, leftover water gets emptied out, I blow air through the tube, and throw the whole thing in the freezer. Nothing grows in there :D

The bladder is really sewn in? How'd they do that? Mine has a little retention ring thing that's a royal pain to remove, but it is removable if I feel like putting forth that much effort. Usually, the bag and bladder go in the freezer together 'cuz I'm lazy.

If you've got green stuff growing, a diluted bleach solution is probably your best bet, along with a good scrubbing. I'd replace the bladder entirely if possible.

[Tuckervill]

Just put the tabs in and follow the directions. Stuff paper towels in it and hang it upside down somewhere to dry out really well.

Karen

[OakLeaf]

that's exactly why I much prefer Platypus Big Zip bags over Camelbak.

Also, your cleaning kit should've included a brace to keep the reservoir open while it dries, which usually prevents mold growth. If you don't have one of those, use anything to keep the walls of the reservoir from touching (a small wire whisk works, e.g.), take the bite valve off so air can get into the drinking tube, and hang it upside down while it dries. Be absolutely sure that the walls don't touch where the drinking tube connects, since that's where the bag wants to close up, and where I usually wind up with problems.

But for what ya got, what I usually do when it gets that bad:

Food grade crystalline citric acid cleans almost anything. Tub, tile and toilet bowl; removing lime scale from the teapot; and the water pack too. Get it where you buy winemaking supplies, or at some natural food stores. (Grocery stores have it with the canning supplies or as coffee maker cleaner, but it's a lot more expensive in those smaller containers.) Most of the common molds you get in a water bag won't grow in an acidic environment. Use a good 1-2 tablespoons of citric acid crystals and about a cup of water, or a little more, in the reservoir. Leave the bite valve on for now.

Then put a cloth dishrag in the reservoir (spread out, not balled up), close the lid (leaving some air space in the reservoir too) and shake until you're really tired of shaking it.

Remove the bite valve and use the long brush to scrub out the drinking tube with the acid solution.

Open the lid, remove dishrag and use the other brush to get any corners of the reservoir that you might've missed.

Rinse with plain water and go!

For less-intensive cleaning, shake it up with just a damp dishrag and a tablespoon or two of baking soda, no additional water. The baking soda acts as a mild abrasive. That's how I usually clean my regular water bottles, DH's coffee pot, also use baking soda to scour the counters and stainless steel pots and pans.

[malkin]

I stand mine up on a potato masher to dry, and replace the bladder when it gets funky. Life's too short...

[mimitabby]

when i was in Arizona last year mine got black mold in it. I poured 50% bleach solution in.
it's good as new!!

[oxysback]

We use denture tablets in ours. The first few drinks are minty-fresh!

(no, we don't actually have dentures, but dd and dh have a retainer and a night guard that they use the denture tabs for, also)

[Tri Girl]

All great ideas!!! Thanks ladies so much for your advice. I think I might just try them all (not that it's THAT bad, but they all sound like fun). :p
Thanks again- I knew I could count on you for tips and tricks.

[indigoiis]

Apple cider vineagar or white vineagar and water.

[motochick]

ALWAYS leave it filled up with water. Clean it twice a month with white vineager, and rinse thoroughly. I still use a bladder from over 10 years ago, tastes the same as my new ones.
Brenda

[Bad JuJu]

ALWAYS leave it filled up with water. Clean it twice a month with white vineager, and rinse thoroughly. I still use a bladder from over 10 years ago, tastes the same as my new ones.
Brenda
I like the white vinegar idea. What's the vinegar-to-water ration you use?