How to Keep Hydration Packs Clean
Tips on Cleaning and Maintenance for Cycling Hydration Backpacks
Apr 1, 2009
The bladder or reservoir, which holds the water in a hydration pack, can be a breeding ground for microorganisms and other bacteria if not cleaned and maintained properly. Riders using sugary energy drinks in their packs need to be especially careful as do mountain bikers riding on muddy trails where dirt can easily get into the water tube through the mouthpiece.
Hydration Pack Cleaning
- Empty all liquid from the hydration bladder and the hydration tube after each use, squeezing the mouthpiece to extract every last drop.
- Rinse the bladder with warm water and mild detergent, using a brush if necessary.
- Sterilise the reservoir tube and mouthpiece frequently, especially if planning to store the pack for more than a week. Half fill the pack with water and add a sterilising tablet then rinse thoroughly after use.
- Dry the reservoir by hanging upside down and extract all liquid from the tube before storage. This is essential, as microorganisms in water droplets are a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Avoid using sugary energy drinks if possible as bacteria breed faster in sugary residue. If energy drinks are used, hydration packs should be cleaned after every ride.
How to Clean a Hydration Pack
The tube is the most difficult part to keep clean and specialist-cleaning accessories are available from market leader Camelbak. These include special brushes for both reservoir and tube, drying frames and cleaning tablets.
A Camelbak cleaning kit can be bought for around $20 but DIY options are also available and are much cheaper.
DIY Hydration Pack Cleaning Tips
- To clean the tube, remove the mouthpiece and take a piece of garden wire wrapped round a small piece of absorbent cloth soaked in sterilisation fluid – a tablet from the local chemist dissolved in water.
- Insert the wire into one end of the tube and pull through to clean. Repeat the process as often as is necessary.
- Once clean, soak the tube, mouthpiece and hydration bladder in the sterilised solution.
- Rinse and dry the hydration bladder by inserting a wire coat hanger bent into shape to fit into the reservoir.
Tips on Maintaining a Hydration System
- Frequent riders should consider purchasing a spare hydration bladder. This saves immediate cleaning after a long tiring ride and a spare reservoir is also useful if the water pack starts to leak.
- If a leak does develop, a quick fix is to attach a self-adhesive puncture repair patch such as a Park patch to seal the hole quickly and securely.
- Suck rather than bite on the mouthpiece to avoid having to buy a replacement mouthpiece.
- Should a fault develop in the hydration pack or bladder, use the lifetime guarantee if available. Many riders simply buy a new hydration bladder when sending it back to the manufacturer normally results in a replacement.
- Hydration packs (but not the bladder) can be put into the washing machine if especially dirty but ensure that all buckles and straps are fastened and pulled tight.
A Clean Hydration Pack
Rinse the hydration bladder and water tube thoroughly after every use and clean regularly with the appropriate accessories, whether specialist or homemade. Remember to dry completely before storage for healthy, bug-free cycling hydration.
Related Articles
Read our articles on Hydration Packs for All Day Mountain Biking, Hydration Backpacks for Women and How to Choose a Hydration Pack.
