Having a clear out in the shed and found my Camelbak bladder lying around with some water still in it. I think it's from the last time I used it (July last year). Remarkably, it doesn't seem to have any mould or nasty looking stuff in it. Water still looks pretty clear.
Was going to throw it away, but wondering if I can get away with cleaning/sterilising it with some Milton's tablets?
Safe to use, or dicing with diarrhoea?
Kill it with fire! Not literally, a nearby bin would be sufficient.
Goodness knows what's lurking in it but I'm reasonably confident Mrs g-d (who knows a thing or two about nasties in water) would see it as only fit for a bin.
Dr Google says there's also a leaching risk with chemicals where it's sat with water in.
In short I wouldn't chance it personally.
I just Milton mine and I am still alive. If there was mould I would bin it otherwise I am happy with a good dose of milton
Clean it, let it dry thoroughly. It'll be fine
If it's not furry clean it with Milton and store in the freezer.in future.
Not sure why we are so adverse to cleaning things these days. Creates a significant amount of extra waste.
It’ll be fine. Give it a clean, let it dry, and then bring it back into use.
I dug one out of the garage after about 7 years, just Milton'ed the bladder and took the tube off and used a more concentrated solution and a toothbrush/pipe cleaner to clean it and the connectors. No dysentery was experienced
Not sure why we are so adverse to cleaning things these days
I have rescued the grill pan from the bin countless times 🤣
I just Milton mine and I am still alive. If there was mould I would bin it otherwise I am happy with a good dose of milton
Why?
Milton will kill mold no bother. Its not an organic material with pores harbouring spores, physically clean it and blast it with milton and its gtg.
If you are going to clean it, make sure you clean every inch of it. Had a similar issue, cleaned the bladder but forgot to do the tube. About 15 mins into the next ride, I barely had time to stop and get off the bike before the contents of everything from my stomach down was forcibly ejected. 20 years later it still sticks in the mind.
I just Milton mine and I am still alive. If there was mould I would bin it otherwise I am happy with a good dose of milton
Why?
Milton will kill mold no bother. Its not an organic material with pores harbouring spores, physically clean it and blast it with milton and its gtg.
I have had mould in the pipe and bite valve that I couldn’t get out with Milton. Yes Milton would kill it but TBH I didn’t fancy getting bits of mould flaking off as I drank, hence binned it. It was cheaper getting a whole new bladder that replacing the pipe and valve.
7 months in the shed, I’d be more concerned with what was on the outside than the inside. Properly measured concentration of sterilising fluid, make sure you use cold water and let it sit for a day. Also make sure you flush the tube so it’s full before you let it sit. Soak the valve and connector separately after that.
Milton etc are suitable for sterilising stuff for new born babies, so no concerns about it working for this.
Camelbak sell their own cleaning tabs. Once dissolved these smell quite like Milton…
Just clean it. The main body is straight forward. The tube and mouth piece a little harder. I just use Milton or very hot soapy water. In either case rinse well. If there is any gunk in the tube then a big knot in the end of a clean shoe lace works well. Just drag it through a few times then rinse.
Storage in the freezer works. The other option is just to make sure it is very dry before it goes away.
If only replacement bladders weren't such a rip off price ! Stick the word Camelbak on and triple the price ! Bite valves , tubes etc etc
Six months is nothing 🤣
Actually, no, I know what you mean, I'm always suspicious of the things no matter how long.
I know this doesnt help but I always fold mine up and store it in the freezer after use.
If only replacement bladders weren't such a rip off price ! Stick the word Camelbak on and triple the price ! Bite valves , tubes etc etc
There are cheaper options, but they're not as good.
I don't think I've ever actually had a bladder fail or not be cleanable. We keep ours in the freezer which minimises mank, but the mouthpieces leak if you let them freeze with water in.
Mostly have replaced when new bags came with them or they changed the design (I really like the newest one with a Zip). Still have all the older bladders in a box somewhere.
I bought a cheap alternative off eBay and it leaked from the off ! 🙄
Bin it and replace it with one of the ones that has a folding faster across the top as they are far easier to fill and keep clean.
Bought one of those long brushes on a wire years ago (CamelBak own brand though others available) for cleaning the hose. Costs a few quid but used for lots of cleaning jobs.
Have never thrown our a water bladder that wasn't leaking. Milton or any other cleaning tablet cleans them perfectly (it's all bleach). Brushing and bleach will remove any mould.
Just clean it. Found mine last night. Been looking all over for it for the last few days. Fortunately it's been stored bone dry, but I'll give it a good long soak before I use it. Not used it for over a year. Getting my kit together for some more bike packing this year.
The cost of a good soak in milton, and a good rinse is better than the £50 for a new genuine bladder. Looked on amazon at the copies. Looking at the reviews, some split. That's one thing that's a guarantee with camelbaks, they just work.
Got a 'telling off' from a walking guide about using a bladder (the same camelbak) in that they had had clients struggle with split pouches. I just kept quiet - it's survived mountain biking and numerous crashes.
On the plus side, I did find a really decent Polaris winter soft shell I had totally forgotten I had bought
Wouldnt cross my mind to bin it, just in the sink with some Milton as above.
Then again, i'd have probably tasted it first 🤣
For future reference, the best place to keep them is in the freezer.
My wife did suggest mine might be in the freezer - it wasn't.
FFS stop worrying about little things. Flush it out a few times and it will be fine. If you are really worried just drop a bit of bleach in it, let it soak and swill it out.
The only time I ever put a bladder in the freezer it cracked and then I had to gaffer tape the hole. Lasted another 14 years though, but i've never put one in the freezer again.