Mountain Biking - Cleaning camelback...

Hello,

I would like to know if there is a problem to wash the camelback with white vinegar ? I do not have a cleaning tab and the tube has some kind of bacteria...

Thanks. :eek:

I don't know about the white vinigar but in between rides I have found keeping it in the freezer will keep bacteria from growing and I haven't had the "black tube" problem ever since. I just shake out all the water, drain the tube, fold it and stick it in there and it is nice and frosty for my next ride and that's priceless. You won't need as many cleaning tablets in the future unless you fill it with gatorade, etc. but I only fill mine with water.

There are many ways to clean your bladder, but white vinager isn't one of the recomended ways.

To clean at the stage your bladder is in, fill the bladder up with water and add some regular bleach. Not concentrate and or bleach for washing (adding fragrance). Like 2 tablespoons.
Drain some of the solution so that the bleach/water will get into the tube.
Let it sit for a couple hours, overnight is good.

Then drain and rinse a couple times, tube included and let dry out thoughly, overnight. This will help disapate most or all of the chlorine/bleach smell.

Then use as normal.

To combat this problem in the future, some people like trek1 put theirs in the freezer.
I personally leave an amount of water in the bladder after my ride, with the tube filled of course. This way no bacteria or dirt and get into the bladder. Before using, I dump and rinse and fill again.
I usually will add some backing soda to the bladder with water every month or so to freshen up the taste and or clean the bladder using the same procedure as the bleach. I will bleach the bladder every 6 months. This technique is cheaper than buying tabs.

Hope this helps.

I don't know about the white vinigar but in between rides I have found keeping it in the freezer will keep bacteria from growing and I haven't had the "black tube" problem ever since. I just shake out all the water, drain the tube, fold it and stick it in there and it is nice and frosty for my next ride and that's priceless. You won't need as many cleaning tablets in the future unless you fill it with gatorade, etc. but I only fill mine with water.

I have done the bleach thing like the other poster. It sounds like he is correct that yours might be a yogurt farm and killing the bugs off in mass a genicide would be the thing to do.

I don't agree with his "leave it full of water". I find that's how it gets funky. I hang my upside down and have a clothes hanger bent to leave it wide open. My bladder also has a wide opening. I also pull off the bite valve and hang to tube to dry. Also, I hanging bladder is a great conversation piece for people who don't know what they are. They think you are into enamas or something:lol:

I have found tablets made by Sigg (the swiss metal water bottle maker) to disenfect it. They don't leave any taste like bleach can.

good luck.

Jeff

Hey, good idea !! thank you so much, I just have a short time with mountain biking.
:giver

...

I personally leave an amount of water in the bladder after my ride, with the tube filled of course. This way no bacteria or dirt and get into the bladder. Before using, I dump and rinse and fill again....

I don't think this is effective. The bacteria is in the water (all living things have bacteria, of course). I think you are better off letting air get to it.

I open mine right up and let it air out.

The rest of your cleaning routine is good, imo.

I don't think this is effective. The bacteria is in the water (all living things have bacteria, of course). I think you are better off letting air get to it.

I open mine right up and let it air out.

The rest of your cleaning routine is good, imo.

Remember the freezer trick, I haven't had any funk in mine in almost 2 years. I do let it dry a bit and do a final drain out before stashing it in there. What a treat it is on the hot and humid days to start with a frosty container. I was pissed once or twice when I left it to dry overnight and had to use it warm before riding. You will get two benefits from using the ice box because nothing can grow in there.:D

Remember the freezer trick, I haven't had any funk in mine in almost 2 years. I do let it dry a bit and do a final drain out before stashing it in there. What a treat it is on the hot and humid days to start with a frosty container. I was pissed once or twice when I left it to dry overnight and had to use it warm before riding. You will get two benefits from using the ice box because nothing can grow in there.:D

....Well Archaebacteria are bacteria that live in harsh climates like volcanoes and salty water.
Some bacteria can also form Endo-spheres which are like a protective covering when exposed to harsh climates.....

LOL..
anyway, yea. I just stuck mine in the freezer as well.
Keeps it cleaner than just sitting around.

....Well Archaebacteria are bacteria that live in harsh climates like volcanoes and salty water.
Some bacteria can also form Endo-spheres which are like a protective covering when exposed to harsh climates.....

LOL..
anyway, yea. I just stuck mine in the freezer as well.
Keeps it cleaner than just sitting around.

True and I am no scientist either (failed science). Another plus is you will never loose it and I am sure there is less harmful things in there (if you keep your refrigerator/freezer clean. I now remember I read that from reader tips in Mountain Bike magazine, oh well enjoy the chill.

I have a reversable bladder if I store it for over a week I reverse it and let it air.. most of the time i just let the water sit in it and fill it before the next ride. i guess that's pretty nasty, but I don't care.

I have a reversable bladder if I store it for over a week I reverse it and let it air.. most of the time i just let the water sit in it and fill it before the next ride. i guess that's pretty nasty, but I don't care.

Nah, keep exercising the immune system or you will become venerable but reversing the bladder will not prevent the hose inside from getting nasty?

careful on the bleach....it kind of ruined the inside of mine

mx

careful on the bleach....it kind of ruined the inside of mine

mx

+1. I've done that, too. Use a very small amount, you're only using it to kill baddies and it doesn't take much.

+1. I've done that, too. Use a very small amount, you're only using it to kill baddies and it doesn't take much.

glad i am not the only one (not that i wished it upon you ken).

i recall not using much at all. sucks. i mean i still use the bladder and everything but it was like it "ate" away at the anti-bacterial coating in the bladder or something. made it kind of gooey...then after it dried it firmed back up.

just don't know if it is worth it. well, new bladders aren't that expensive!

mx

What kind of bladders (or bleach) are you guys using? I've never seen this problem with clorox and camelbak & dakine/nalgene bladders.

Once I forgot to rinse the bleachwater out of the nozzle. Once.

Efferdent..denture cleaningtabs work great.....drop 2-3 tabs in I get min eat Walmart generic last for a year:thumb:

What kind of bladders (or bleach) are you guys using? I've never seen this problem with clorox and camelbak & dakine/nalgene bladders.

i don't know why this happened to me. i think it is one of the newer style that is anti microbial. i filled it first with water and then some bleach (i don't recall it being a lot)

let it sit over night. then the next day my fingernail could sort of scratch into the gooey coating inside. i assumed it was the anti bacterial stuff. once it dried it firmed up again but with my scratch marks :D

so i don't know...

get your katoom yet?

mx

The bladder that I f*cked up was a number of years back, prob. a first-generation. Turned it yellow-green:(

With the new ones it is probably adequate to rinse frequently. If any growies show up, get a cleaning kit with the tube brush.

Bleach works real well, in a 8 part water 2 part bleach solution. But only if the bladder is real nasty. I use concentrated grapefruit juice to do a monthly cleaning.

Efferdent..denture cleaningtabs work great.....drop 2-3 tabs in I get min eat Walmart generic last for a year:thumb:

This works every time! Be sure to get the flavorless kind, unless you like a minty fresh taste to your water

Has anyone though of Hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach?
Peroxide is used as an Oral Antiseptic sometimes, It kills the germs, but wont eat away your bladder, or your insides.

ok, get yourself the freakn' tablets for like 5 bucks at any sporting goods store!

also get the complete cleaning kit with the tube brush for like 19 bucks. well worth it. also, you can get a new tube and/or bladder at most sports stores or online cheap. anf get the anti-micorbial one while your at it.

bleach will ruin your bladder and tube if not carefull. vinegar in strenght will work, but leave a nasty taste for the first few fills.

jOE

I have some of those CamelBak cleaning kit and it is very easy to clean up your reservoir and its tube :D. After cleaning my reservoir with it, the reservoir feels brand new :thumbsup:

I use the detergent that came with the cleaning kit. But I rinse it out like crazy. The day before I'm planning a hot ride, I fill it half way with water and blow it up the rest of the way. Arrange it in the freezer so the cap doesn't freeze shut, and hopefully the tube, too. Then the next morning I have ice cold water for the ride.

I've never had any problems with mine. I used to just leave water in it. I'm rather surprised I never wound up with any growth. These days, I empty it after a ride and toss it in the freezer.

I never clean mine, I never empty it for that matter. I just leave it as is and refill when i need to.

I've never had any problems with mine. I used to just leave water in it. I'm rather surprised I never wound up with any growth. These days, I empty it after a ride and toss it in the freezer.

Yeah, keeping your reservoir in the freezer will definitely slow down the bacteria growth process, I have done that before but sadly I forget to keep it in the freezer for a couple of days and you can see the dirt forming out. I wasn't using CamelBak during that time (deuter) and its hard to keep it clean because I dont have a brush that is small and long enough to clean up that tube.

I only use water in mine. After a ride I drain it, then toss in the freezer. I had some black stuff growing in the tube so I took a sponge tied to a small cable and ran it thru the hose a few times. Good as new. I'm looking for a new mouth piece for mine, it has the Nirvana Bite Valve with a easy shut off. Any suggestions where I could find one. Not having very much luck online.

I actually have a little brush on a wire to scrub the inside of the tube and valve.

I have no recollection of where I bought it or who made it.

I just use a small amount of soap and water. Then after I use an air compressor to blow all the water drops out of the tube and hand the bladder to dry. Bacteria doesn't grow in a dry tube. It's worked for me for 2 years and I've never had any fungus growth.

Freezer sounds like a good trick. There's still bacteria in your freezer (that's what freezer burn is) but it grows slower than room temp bacteria. I drain mine and air it out (use a plastic rack made by Camelback that comes with their cleaning kit) and I drain the tube after every use. I only wash it maybe once every two months or so, when it looks or tastes like it needs it. I wash with Dawn dish detergent and rinse thoroughly. Seems to do the trick. I guess bleach would work if needed, no idea what it will do to the plastic but it's not all that dangerous should you accidently drink it (read the MSDS, seems the worst symptom of digesting the stuff is a tummy ache and perhaps vomiting if you go REALLY overboard).

Man I can't believe nobody here has used Milton. Or whatever you call it in the US. It is the stuff you use to clean babies bottles with. If it's good enough to clean a babies milk bottle of any germs that might cause a baby harm then I can safely say that you should be ok.

For hard to shift stuff leave it overnight. Then dry the bladder out and leave in fridge or freezer.

Choccy...

Ive got what appears to be gunk in the inner part of the mouthpiece. It looks like a dark brown stain but Ive tried the bleach thing and nothing happens. I tried to rub it off but it just wont go. Is there a way of getting the thing off? Or after the bleach, is it safe to drink from it?

You only need to use a very mild bleach solution, like 2 parts bleach. Then just rinse thoroughly. It works fine.

Man I can't believe nobody here has used Milton. Or whatever you call it in the US. It is the stuff you use to clean babies bottles with. If it's good enough to clean a babies milk bottle of any germs that might cause a baby harm then I can safely say that you should be ok.

For hard to shift stuff leave it overnight. Then dry the bladder out and leave in fridge or freezer.

Choccy...

wasn't he the guy on office space?

mx

Or after the bleach, is it safe to drink from it?

Bleach isn't as poisonous as it seems. Read the MSDS on it. Basically stomach ache and vomiting is what you can expect, if you were to drink a significant quantity of full strenght bleach. Not a pleasant experience, but not instant death. The bleach that sticks around in the mouthpiece may taste nasty but it won't kill you.

The dark material growing inside the feedtube or bag is probably a biofilm, a bacteria growing on the side of the plastic. They attach themselves to the plastic and are best removed by use of a chemical such as bleach that is cut significantly. The 20% solution mentioned earlier is VERY strong, I would use maybe a 5% solution maybe less. You want to kill the bacterial growth with minimal after taste and odor, not blow the little suckers into oblivion and then taste chlorine for a week.
BTW, leaving water in your camelbak is not a good idea. Just cause you can't see the bacterial growth doesn't mean it isn't happening. Those little bugs are having a grand old time multiplying. I empty mine out after every ride.
EDIT: No I don't put it in a freezer, and I've never had a biofilm problem.