Cecilia R.

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.

trek1

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.

LX302

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.

jeph

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

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

Cecilia R.

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

tkehler

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.

trek1

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.

Cheeto

....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.

trek1

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.

DirtPedalerB

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.

trek1

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

mx_599

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

mx

kenhill3

+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.

mx_599

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

cryptid01

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.

thehammerdog

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

mx_599

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

so i don't know...

get your katoom yet?

mx

kenhill3

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.

rbrsddn

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.

Dirt Farmer

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

Cheeto

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.

UniversalFrost

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

wheelhot

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

jim10040

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.

junkyard

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.