[BusyMommy]

I finally had to go buy one for an upcoming trip. I actually liked using it today on a practice ride but I am clueless about how to clean them. I've always hated the thought of that icky mildewy tube <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"> but don't know how to prevent it from happening?<br><br>
Any tips on the care and cleaning of camelbacks?<br><br>
And, how big are yours? Mine is 2L b/c I thought I couldn't carry 100oz + gear on my back but now I'm wondering if I'll have enough water.<br><br>
Thanks <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin">

 

[kate~mom]

dh bought <a href="http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_detail_square.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442594817&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574488340275&bmUID=1177276433217" target="_blank">this</a>, but i haven't used it personally - he's in charge of the mildew prevention <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> .<br><br>
we have two - a 2L that has signifiant storage (well, enough for a jacket and lunch) and a 1/5, i think, that is just the resevoir itself. dd also has her own, which is 1L and enough storage for a kid-size windbreaker.

 

[grnmtnmama]

i like the bigger volume bladder and the medium size pack. you can always fill it half way, but you can't put more water in the small bladder if you know what I mean.<br><br>
As for cleaning, when I'm using it regularly - several times a week, i don't really clean it. just empty the old water and put in new and flush out the tube. there are brushes you can get for scrubbing and things that will hold it open to air dry. once the tube got moldy, so I got a new bladder.

 

[BusyMommy]

Cool<br>
Yeah, I'm wishing I'd sprung for the bigger one. I filled my 2L today and it wasn't heavy to ride at all.<br><br>
So, duh, how do you flush it? I have it hanging upside down to drain the reservoir but how do I air out the tube? It's the tube you have to bite on to get moving.<br><br>
That cleaning kit looks pretty nice esp. since I just had to figure out HOW to hang it. And I bet that tubey thing snakes through the tube.<br><br>
So, yeah, I like it! Nice not to have to bend over and grab the bottle and then change out for one on the rack. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"><br><br>
THANKS

 

[BusyMommy]

So, wait a minute, did you put a 100oz reservoir into a smaller backpack? I just saw reservoirs on sale ind. of the bacpack for $30. Sounds like a good deal when my current one is dead.<br><br>
Fit okay?

 

[polyhymnia]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>grnmtnmama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7922765"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">As for cleaning, when I'm using it regularly - several times a week, i don't really clean it. just empty the old water and put in new and flush out the tube. there are brushes you can get for scrubbing and things that will hold it open to air dry. once the tube got moldy, so I got a new bladder.</div>
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I don't clean it, either. I just hold open the bite valve to empty some of the water from the bladder and refill it.<br><br>
You can buy cleaning kits with realllly thin scrubby brushes and some sort of chemical cleaning tablet but if you care for it properly you shouldn't have trouble.<br><br>
Never store it wet but without water in it - if you are storing it for a long time, dump it and let it air dry first (they sell little plastic molds that are the right shape for this but I just bent a coat hanger). I usually just keep it full up and don't have mold/mildew problems.<br><br>
The tubes are replaceable without replacing the bladder so you can always just get a new tube if it gets gross. My boyfriend has one with an insulation piece over the tube so you can't see it, and he just realise it is NASTY moldy in there - cause he just never sees the tube <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"> I have two tubes, one regular and one insulated so I can just swap them out. I use the insulated tube in the winter for skiing and the regular one in the summer for biking/hiking. It works well for me.<br><br>
I have two bags, one fits just the bladder with enough space for a key & a credit card, and the other is a bigger ski backpack that is excellent. I can move the bladder about however I like. My ski backpack will take a larger bladder than the one I have, but I haven't bought one yet. SO far I've been OK with just the smaller bladder (2L). I don't drink enough as a rule so I'm working my way up to needing more <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[BusyMommy]

Awesome, thanks! Yeah, mine is insulated, too. I never thought about that. I suppose I should use it for skiing as well as biking. Sure would be easier than the fanny pack.<br><br>
And, I will go bend a coat hanger today. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"> I think that will work for me, too, as I'll likely use it several times/week once the mornings warm up enough to need water.<br><br>
Yeah, I am really surprised it's not too heavy and is so easy to use. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin">

 

[spughy]

I use a really, really dilute bleach solution then run plain water through it a couple times to rinse. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/bag.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Bag">: I know bleach is bad but it takes so long to dry I'm a bit paranoid about ickies growing in there. I generally stuff a piece of paper towel in the bladder to keep it open and hang it up to dry.