Unless you’re planning on doing some research on mold growth or odors caused by unchecked microbes and bacteria, you’ll want to clean your hydration system regularly. Here are a few simple tips.
Water Bottles
To keep you water bottles can and fresh for drinking, water bottles need only a simple rinse and dry. The key to keeping bottle clean is to make sure they are dry before storage.
To eliminate odors, you should fill the bottle with water and add a tablespoon of baking soda. Let this mixture sit overnight and rinse it out with warm water the next morning. For a more thorough cleaning, use 2 teaspoons of bleach in a filled reservoir and let it sit overnight. Rinse thoroughly with warm water in the morning.
Hydration Packs
Much like water bottle care, a simple drain, rinse and dry will keep your bladder clean. However, special cleaning kits are available to help sanitize the hard-to-reach spaces of a hydration pack bladder. These kits include cleaning brushes, cleansing agents and specially designed hangers that open up the bladder so it can dry properly and thus reduce any microbial presence.
To eliminate odors, follow the same instructions to clean water bottles.
