Bleach in a CamelBack?

[BigBore]

I admit......I got lazy one time and my Camelback bladder got mold in it. So I cleaned it all out, but now it seems the mold tries to come back pretty fast. I figure bleach would kill it, but I'm not sure how much would do the job. Anybody ever try using it? What else could I use to kill the mold?

 

[zio]

vinegar, I've heard. Bleach isn't too kind on your liver.

 

[kdxjr]

Use bleach to clean it real good make sure you get all the mold out even in the tubing. Rinse it several times and then clean it good with
dishwashing detergent,Dawn is good because it a slight degreaser in it.
If you leave a bleach residue it will come back faster. 25% bleach....

 

[Patman]

Instructions say 2 table spoons of bleach with warm water then rinse with baking soda (or baking powder?) whatever, the stuff you put in the 'fridge. I store mine in the freezer to keep anything from growing in it.

 

[Rooster]

I keep mine in a tupperware decanter, totally submerged in the fridge.

 

[CR307]

I store mine in the freezer as well as Patman. Nothing will grow in there!
I would definately try the vinegar first to see if it works. I cant imagine any water tasting good after bleach has been in there!

 

[ghunter]

Bleach works fine as long as you rinse well. I use about 2 tablespoons and some hot water, shake well, let it sit a few hours, then rinse repeatedly. Make sure to drain some through the mouth-piece before letting it sit so that gets disinfected too.

Never had any problems with taste or smell from bacteria or the bleach.

 

[BigBore]

Thanks guys, think I'll try it. I usually do keep the bladder in the freezer, but like I said, I let it slide just once...... :scream:

 

[Rodzilla]

Yep bleach, then REALLY good with baking Soda and water (nutralizes the bleach and the taste) Same bladder for 4 years no problems.

Rod

 

[bbbom]

Originally posted by CR307
I store mine in the freezer as well as Patman.

Must be a big freezer! Isn't it hard for him to type and to read the monitor in there? Don't his fingers get too cold to type? ;)

Rodzilla, glad to hear your bladders still in good shape too! Nothing worse than those pesky bladder problems on a long ride.

 

[Patman]

Guys if you have ever drank tap water you HAVE drank bleach. It's called chlorine and it's used to disinfect municipal water supplies. The other option is Ozoniation but there are VERY few water plants that use it because of the expense.

bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbom it's really not too bad in here but popsicles and sucking on frozen veggies does get kinda' old.

 

[CR307]

:)

 

[Peer Lovell]

I used the bleach thing and it worked. To completely get rid of any bleach taste I find pouring a cup of Gatorade in the thing and leaving overnight works.

 

[MrLuckey]

What Patman said! Some desert survival straws (for drinking pond/stream) water have chlorine (bleach) in them. Most restaraunts use bleach to clean the coffee pots. Just rinse real good. I run a piece of string through the hose and tie part of a cotton ball on it then pull it back through to pull any crud out also. A fellow I met at Jawbone puts a few drops of basil (I think) extract in a gallon of water for his camelbak and claims that he doesn't ever clean/empty/wash his camelbak. You can barely, just barely, taste it and its actually kinda good.

 

[MrLuckey]

GoSpeedRacer actually has the secret for a perpetually clean Camelbak. Maybe she will share with us :p

 

[JPIVEY]

after you clean and fill it, throw in a Iodine tablet before you stick it in the frig, helps get rid of the nasty crap in the water

Most sporting goods have them

 

[Txbigguy]

I use about 3 tablespoons of bleach to about a gallon of water to sanitize everything with. Just use hot water to rinse as well. I use this method to sanitize my beer brewing stuff as well. If any of you guys brew your own you know that any bacteria can be bad for your beer. So a little bleach and warm water will kill anything. :aj:

 

[MikeKX250]

I used bleach mixed with very hot water a forget the ratio I used. Let it sit for a few then rinsed it out really good. Mold gone, no funny taste.

 

[gospeedracer]

Here's whatchya do. Go out and get yourself a TTRGuy, you'll be guaranteed to miraculously have a clean camelbak for each ride. :) You wouldn't believe the science project I had in mine once especially since I only put Gatorade in it. I'm of the "just buy a new one" school of thought, but oh no, not TTRGuy I can't believe the time and effort he put into cleaning it, the loon! ;)

 

[zio]

So, that works on other things too, like dishes, laundry, gardening, etc?

Maybe I should get a "TTRGuy", too. My "zia" konked out before I even got her home. The prior model works like a charm. 56 years old, & still going strong. :think: They look alike, but I guess there were a lot of internal changes made. She sure looked good when I bought her. Turns out she didn't even come with a warranty. I can't figure out what the problem is. When I get her in the kitchen she makes lots of noise like she's doin a whole bunch, but nothin' really happens.

 

[gospeedracer]

LOL Zio! :) Maybe she needs a new program or needs to upgrade to Husband 7.0! :)