yes im a cheapskate.my bladder and moreso the hose are getting black algae type stuff inside. forgot to drain it a few times.
how can i clean inside especially the hose?
i know camelbak sell a kit but any other ways?
Buy cheap baby sterlising tablets...they are all the same get the cheapest.
Soak and rinse the Bladder
Freeze it do this after every /most rides - freeze that it
Tube - soak a lace in sterlising solution and tie a smal knot in one end push the other end through the tube (curtain wire helps) PPull through slowly cleaning the tube.
hmm
cheers not a bad idea.
why the freezing tho?
I just use Tesco's version of Milton sterilising fluid.
I freeze mine, kills the bacteria, well atleast stops it growing 😉
For the hose I find a wire coathanger straightened out is exactly the right length to push a little piece of sponge/cloth through the tube thus removing nasty black gunk
I've used plain old Domestos (other brands of bleach are available et cetera) in the past. Just give it a good rinse with cold water after.
Rinse it out after every ride then store it in the freezer, I've done that with mine for the last 10 years and it's still going.
homebrewing steriliser/cleaner in bulk is cheaper than baby bottle cleaner by a large margin. Especially if you have it around for homebrewing anyway 😉
tie a bit of jcloth to a gear cable and feed through 💡
Bicarbonate of soda, Milton's sterilising fluid and freezing are all ways I've cleaned mine and it 7 years old and had no gunk problems.
Wash (with washing up liquid and warm water) after every ride. A stitch in time and all that ...
Got a Decathlon near you? They do a great bladder cleaning kit with all the brushes, plus a hanger/airer for 8 quid.
I use milton type tablets and also "steradent" denture cleaning tablets, needs a good rinse afterwards or leaves everything a bit minty!