How to clean hydration bladder?

[shakespeare]

I found my old hydration bladder, and opened it up to fill it with water. Much to my dismay, I found that the inside was slimy and smelled kinda funny. I don't really know how to clean it, but I need to get it tasting normal and not having possible biochemical effects on me by this Friday
I have heard of bleach, lemon juice, vinegar, and baking soda.
What works for you?

[Regular Guy]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=How+to+clean+camelback

[Pacman]

Camelbak makes some tablets to clean them with but they are basically bleach tabs with bicarb component. I usually use a 50/50 bleach mix and a brush to clean mine up followed by letting it soak in the same mixture to finish it up. You can buy hydration brushes but I've always used a cheap baby bottle brush which works fine. Just make sure to use hot water and rinse well to clear. Small amounts of chlorine bleach won't kill you but will taste like crap.

[Pacman]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=How+to+clean+camelback

I'm sure he knows full well how to search, he wanted to know what everyone here has success with. Don't be an a$$

[Regular Guy]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=How+to+clean+camelback

I'm sure he knows full well how to search, he wanted to know what everyone here has success with. Don't be an a$$

I'm not trying too... I'm sorry if anyone got offended.

[Pacman]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=How+to+clean+camelback

I'm sure he knows full well how to search, he wanted to know what everyone here has success with. Don't be an a$$

I'm not trying too... I'm sorry if anyone got offended.

Don't worry too much, I should've been more polite in my analysis of your post. It struck a nerve as I have some idiots on an LE board I frequent who can be real dicks and throw out that search stuff. Carry on, I'm sure I misread your intent

[Pacman]

Double Post

[Regular Guy]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=How+to+clean+camelback

I'm sure he knows full well how to search, he wanted to know what everyone here has success with. Don't be an a$$

I'm not trying too... I'm sorry if anyone got offended.

Don't worry too much, I should've been more polite in my analysis of your post. It struck a nerve as I have some idiots on an LE board I frequent who can be real dicks and throw out that search stuff. Carry on, I'm sure I misread your intent

I saw some people doing that and I was like "oh wow real cool!" and I didn't realize some get tick off by it. I apologize again! I'm a nice person in real life and not condescending and impolite. Peace!

Going back to topic - I use camelback tabs regularly after use. Try cleaning the drinking tube also regularly but replace the tube if it goes really bad - moldy, smelly, etc.

[DJ]

Camelbac makes a kit that has 2 brushes for cleaning the tube and interior plus a hangar that allows the interior to dry. REI or other sporting goods places have em. Avoid using anything but water in them. Sugar promotes the growth of the wee beasties inside of the bladder.

[Slowgun]

after every use I take some dish soap and mix it with water. Then I pour a decent amount in the bladder and make sure to sloosh it around and get it every where. Then I drink some up the tube (dont swallow it) and the wash it all out with water until all soap is gone. I don't know if this will work for your situation though, I do it to keep it clean, not to clean out a bunch of goo. Hope this helps

[DJ]

after every use I take some dish soap and mix it with water. Then I pour a decent amount in the bladder and make sure to sloosh it around and get it every where. Then I drink some up the tube (dont swallow it) and the wash it all out with water until all soap is gone. I don't know if this will work for your situation though, I do it to keep it clean, not to clean out a bunch of goo. Hope this helps

Don't really recommend this method= Montezuma's revenge

[Slowgun]

works for me oh well

[DJ]

works for me oh well

The introduction of any soap material into the bladder is going to result in you getting sick at some point ( too many recesses) If you do this you should use as hot of water as you can (without melting the bladder) for rinse. your call, the bleach tabs / mixture is less risky.

[Braddock]

by a source hydration bladder. you will not have this problem...
I use a drop of soap to wash mine, very mildly and rinse well.
I can leave water in there for weeks without it getting moldy or mildewy.

never had a problem.

[shakespeare]

It is a source
I left water in there for weeks, then dumped the water and didn't let it dry.
I've killed the best in hydration bladders
I think I will try the drop of soap solution, then I will see if a local bike store has a cleaning kit if the soap doesnt work, then resort to bleach solution if none work.
thanks all!