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Bladder Mildew

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Jun 29, 2007 at 2:22 pm #1223910

Joe Geib
BPL Member

@joegeib
Locale: Delaware & Lehigh Valleys

I seem to have gotten some mildew in my hydration bladder. Should I just toss it, or can I effectively clean it with a bleach solution (10:1)?

I think that the mildew will still leave the stains, but the smell and nastiness will be gone.

Help?

Jun 30, 2007 at 11:53 pm #1394055

EndoftheTrail
BPL Member

@ben2world-2

I had a few spots of mildew on my narrow-mouth platy once. I filled the bladder about a quarter full, added some dishwashing liquid and bleach. Since the bladder was only partially filled with water, with lots of space left, I was able to rub the bladder walls against each other. The abrasion and dishwashing liquid removed the stains while the bleach sanitized everything. Give it a try.

Jul 12, 2007 at 1:05 pm #1395183

Laurence Daniels
BPL Member

@gnr
Locale: Boston

I've had mildew in my hydration bladder and tubing lots of times. Bleach solution, the rubbing technique described or just letting it sit with the solution works 99% of the time.

Jul 12, 2007 at 3:57 pm #1395210

Jason Brinkman
BPL Member

@jbrinkmanboi
Locale: Idaho

Most newer bladders claim to be mildew resistant. You might be better off to start over with one of those, and then make a point of drying it after each trip.

Jul 30, 2007 at 12:38 pm #1396826

Simon Harding
Member

@simonharding

When I am putting mine away I inflate them with a breath or two and then invert them in a cardboard box so they can drain onto teh cardboard and a clean dishtowel laid inside. Prop them at a very slight angle to the side so air can get in. I'd like to keep them on the dishrack, but my wife gets tired of seeing them decorate the counter.

I've never had any trouble with mildew.

Jul 30, 2007 at 1:12 pm #1396829

Christopher Plesko
Member

@pivvay
Locale: Rocky Mountains

haha simon i do the same thing. All our joint platy bladders are drying above the sink in our house :)

Jul 30, 2007 at 4:49 pm #1396852

Jesse Glover
Member

@hellbillylarry
Locale: southern appalachians

I use just a little lemon juice. Deodorizes and sanitizes plus it rinses out easily. Dishwashing soap always seems to leave a residue. Bleach works if you have mildew but 10:1 is way too strong that would be almost half a cup of bleach in a one liter bottle. A tablespoon of bleach would probably be too much in a liter of water but it would be worth a try. Use cold water to sanitize with and HOT water to rinse with.

Jul 30, 2007 at 6:40 pm #1396866

Jonathan Duckett
BPL Member

@thunderhead
Locale: Great Smoky Mountains

Check this out.

http://www.backpackingvideos.com/dryinghydrationsystems.htm

Jul 30, 2007 at 7:45 pm #1396873

Brett .
Member

@brett1234
Locale: CA

I'd replace it. The only drying method which worked for me in this humid climate is the fishtank pump and hose method shown in Jasons video. even leaving it in the sun never got it quite dry.

Jul 30, 2007 at 9:41 pm #1396884

Pamela Wyant
Member

@riverrunner

It won't help with your current mildew problem, but when I come in from a trip, I just rinse my water bladder & throw it in the freezer till the next trip. No need to dry, and I haven't had any problems storing it this way. It takes only a few minutes of thawing (or a few second of hot water run over the cap) and it's ready to fill.
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