Cleaning a CamelBak?

[ClockworkOrange]

I have just bought a CamelBak Day Star Womens Hydration Pack on eBay. Have never used one before but I realise I will need to use tablets or something to clean it, to stop any mould or fungus. :rolleyes:

The CamelBak cleaning tablets seem really expensive, $17 for 8 tablets but then again, if there is no alternative I will have to use them.

So, any ideas or tips?

Cheers.

Clock

[Kalidurga]

I don't clean mine, I re-fill them when I get home and then leave them in the refrigerator ready for the next ride. Haven't noticed anything unsightly or smelly yet.

But, if you do choose to clean, there are lots of suggestions here:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=23936&highlight=cleaning+camelbak

and here:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=17377&highlight=cleaning+camelbak

[OakLeaf]

Without reading the old threads myself :rolleyes: it's definitely worth the investment for the drink tube cleaning brush. That's the only part that really tends to get moldy, since it dries so very slowly. There are other things you can use to clean the drink tube, but the brushes they sell are a whole lot easier to use.

[batsheva]

Hi Clock--

just get some Milton tablets or other baby bottle cleaning tablets from the baby stuff aisle in your local supermarket.

batsheva

[ClockworkOrange]

Milton Sterilising Tablets allow you to sterilise in 15 minutes only, killing all bacteria, viruses, fungi and spores (tough dormant bacteria). It has also been used in hospitals for many years as a simple and very reliable method.

Excellent, just why didn't I think of that, thanks for that and at a fraction of the cost. Milton Tablets cost around £1 ($1.65) in some shops and that's for a pack of 25! :eek:

Yes, am also going to look around for a drink tube cleaning brush.

Cheers guys, what would I do without all your help. :D

Clock

[surgtech1956]

Efferdent tablets work great too. We used them to clean out our canteens when I was in the Army National Guard. Or you can use a weak solution of bleach.

[lph]

And also - I don't use a Camelbak very often, but up til now I've just taken it all apart, rinsed in hot water and hung up overnight to dry. No mold that I can tell! (Or smell :rolleyes:)

[Cataboo]

you can also just freeze it when you're done using it... i sometimes get stuff growing in the hoses. +1 on the hose cleaner & the efferdent tabs.

[rocknrollgirl]

We do the denture cleaning tabs and then the freezer. It works great. We just buy the store brand. I do not do it every use. About once a month. Otherwise, run hot water through and in to the freezer.

[TrekTheKaty]

Just googled Camelbak maintenance and found an old manufacturer recommendation?--2 tsp baking soda and fill with water to freshen. leave overnight. Rinse. 2 tsp bleach and fill with water to disinfect. leave overnight. Rinse.

Also recommended filling with water and storing in fridge.

http://www.pixelectomy.com/Camelbak/faq.html#Owners

[ClockworkOrange]

Just googled Camelbak maintenance and found an old manufacturer recommendation?--2 tsp baking soda and fill with water to freshen. leave overnight. Rinse. 2 tsp bleach and fill with water to disinfect. leave overnight. Rinse.

Also recommended filling with water and storing in fridge.

http://www.pixelectomy.com/Camelbak/faq.html#Owners

Big thanks cunninghamair

Now, was that ever good timing.

I received my super duper Camelbak Day Star bought on eBay and it really is the best deal I have ever had. The girl had only used it for one trekking holiday and it really is in almost new condition and it only cost me $11.00!

I bought the the Milton Sterilising tablets for $1.30. The instructions stated not to rinse out but I did, as there was a definite taste left. :rolleyes:

The link to the Camelbak maintenance is brilliant, answers all my questions.

Cannot wait to go out on a bike ride with my new toy. :D

Clock

[tulip]

I never put anything other than water in my Camelbak. I store the bladder in the freezer to keep furry stuff from growing in it.

I don't use mine much anymore because I hate having anything on my back.

I hope you enjoy yours. I used mine for about a year before I went back to water bottles.

[Becky]

I never put anything other than water in my Camelbak. I store the bladder in the freezer to keep furry stuff from growing in it.

I don't use mine much anymore because I hate having anything on my back.

I hope you enjoy yours. I used mine for about a year before I went back to water bottles.

I do what Tulip does (did?). Water and freezer or refrigerator when finished.

Tulip, which model do you have?

[ClockworkOrange]

I never put anything other than water in my Camelbak. I store the bladder in the freezer to keep furry stuff from growing in it.

I don't use mine much anymore because I hate having anything on my back.

I hope you enjoy yours. I used mine for about a year before I went back to water bottles.

Well, I had thoroughly cleaned mine and popped into the freezer, then came back to read the link that cunninghamair provided. Typical, it states:

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.

So, then dashed off to the kitchen to remove it from the freezer! :eek:

Now carefully recovering in fridge. :D

OH, OH, OH, OH.............more help pretty please wiv lots of cherries on top.

I know, once again Clock asking numpty questions but is it best to have the tube coming over one shoulder then having it resting on the opposite side. I have searched the internet in vain, trying to find any pics?

Clock

[OakLeaf]

is it best to have the tube coming over one shoulder then having it resting on the opposite side.

That's totally up to the user... and the pack. Different packs have different tube routing. For me, bicycling or motorcycling, I prefer to route the drink tube under my arm and have the bite valve facing upward in the clip. For walking and hanging out, I route it over my shoulder. The hydration vest I use for running routes the tube over the shoulder and clips in at the waist. Some packs have the drink tube exit out of the bottom, in which case routing it under the arm is probably the most practical.

Try it both ways (or any other way you can think of!) and see what's comfortable. :)

[tulip]

It's still in the freezer, and I'm not worried about it. I do use it for kayaking, although not on my back. I can't remember the model. It's a few years old and it's the one smaller than the MULE. They have so many models, it's kindof ridiculous.

[TrekTheKaty]

I agree Tulip. I don't know how old that link is, or if it's even "official." Disintegration of plastic vs. growth of mold is probably a wash!

PS. Did one night in freezer, one night in fridge and one night hung up with dryer. DH opened fridge and said, "There's a bladder in the fridge." :D:confused::eek: