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Post by flyinion on Apr 24, 2016 23:52:24 GMT -8
Thanks again all. I think I'm going to pick up a new pack of bite valves cause they're cheap, then try vinegar followed by baking soda again on the bladder and see how it goes.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 0:33:43 GMT -8
Freezing will eventually cause the bladder to fail way faster than if you don't freeze it. If you put about 1 TBSP of bleach in the bladder and let it sit, full, for 1/2 hour, and then bleed it out through the tube, it will kill anything that might even be thinking of growing, though. After running the bleach through, re-fill with water, bleed it out, and air dry. Unless there's something funky in your water, it shouldn't grow mold. If you're on city water, and mold is growing, you ought to call your water dept. & find out exactly what the hell they are doing! If it's growing in a clean, dry bladder, imagine what's going on in you household pipes!
If you have well water, you might pour a gallon of bleach into your well (at least 3 times a year), then run your water until you smell the bleach. As soon as you can smell it, turn off the water, and let everything sit for a few hours. Them, turn ALL your water faucets on and run the water until you don't smell bleach anymore.
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amaruq
Trail Wise!
Call me Little Spoon
Posts: 1,264 
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Post by amaruq on Apr 25, 2016 4:38:36 GMT -8
While I don't carry a hydration bladder (bottles for me), I do carry a Platypus GravityWorks.
Platypus instructs users who store their bags/filter for more than a week (in a cool, dry place) to run a few drops of bleach diluted in 2L of water through the bags and filter to kill off anything growing inside. I've never heard of this store-in-the-freezer business, so I'd have applied the same filter process to a hydration bladder if I used one.
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Post by hikerchick395 on Apr 29, 2016 7:26:04 GMT -8
I imagine different brands of bladders may be more susceptible to getting odors. This being said, my husband uses a cheap bladder from a High Sierra bike pack. We have such low humidity here, it just takes a rinse out and hanging on the kitchen curtain rod to be ready for the next use.
I just washed my all of my Nalgene bottles in a basin of dish soap, then rinsed in a basin of water that included baking soda. I can't handle having the taste of soap in my drinking bottles.
By the way...if we're filling our bottles at home, which is usual for at least day hikes, we have filtered creek water. |
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Post by fajitas on Apr 29, 2016 11:03:07 GMT -8
I had the Big Zip and returned it. I liked it, but I had 2 problems.
1. On second use, the ziplock part had a seam leak.
2. The opening, while it would seem easy to clean and reach into while researching, is in practice smaller and harder to get into.
It dried ok. I had the 2L size.
I returned it and went to a CamelBak Antidote and I found it easier to clean, and dries really well. I don't need to freeze it, and I live in SouthEast Texas, which if you are familiar with, is ULTRA humid all year long.
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BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,923
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Post by BigLoad on Apr 29, 2016 11:25:21 GMT -8
I prefer the 3L Platypus Hoser to the Big Zip, with the locking valve and bite valve replaced by Camelbak components. It isn't as easy to clean as the Big Zip, but it's been trouble-free for ages. For filling, I have a cap that connects directly to a filter outlet hose.
Platypus bags don't last forever, but they do last a good long time and the reduced weight is worth it for me, especially when I have to carry multiples. I consider the odor and flavor resistance a lucky bonus.
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Post by flyinion on Apr 30, 2016 23:23:48 GMT -8
Thanks everyone. The Camelbak has definitely gone into the Goodwill pile so I'm debating either another bladder or an extra water bottle next. Actually leaning towards a second 32oz'ish size bottle at this point and carry two of them in my pack plus purification tablets.
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Image Credit / Coolkat
