How to Clean a Hydration Bladder
Hydration bladders are amazing for outdoor adventures like hiking and biking. It’s nice to know your fluids are close by, and you don’t have to deal with the bulk or weight of water bottles. However, if not properly cleaned, they can quickly become host to a nasty lot of bacterial growth. Fortunately, with the help of some common household items, you can make sure you're quenching your thirst without also ingesting mold or mildew!
1. **Make a sanitizing solution from baking soda, bleach, and water.** You’ll need 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of bleach. The bleach will sanitize the bladder, and the baking soda acts as a deodorizer. Mix the ingredients well, and you’re ready to start cleaning!
2. **Purchase hydration bladder cleaning tabs.** Many manufacturers of hydration bladders sell cleaning kits. These kits include special brushes for scrubbing each part of the bladder and a cleaning tab that will dissolve in water. The tabs contain chlorine dioxide, which functions like bleach.
You can find the tabs at specialty outdoor retail stores and online through hydration bladder manufacturers.
3. **Purchase denture cleaning tabs.** You’ll need 1 tab per liter of water. This is a cheaper alternative to hydration bladder cleaning tabs. They are also easy to find since they are sold at grocery stores and mega stores.
4. **Fill the bladder with warm water.** You’ll want to do the cleaning process over a sink to contain any spills. Be careful not to use hot or boiling water. Though hot water can help with sanitation, it can harm the bladder materials, so use warm water only.
5. **Add the cleaning solution ingredients or tab to the warm water.** Once you’ve added the cleaning agent of your choice to the filled bladder, seal the bladder. Then, gently shake it to mix. Shaking will also help distribute the solution, so it covers all surface area.
6. **Let the bladder soak.** It’s time to let the solution do the heavy lifting! If you’re using a bleach and baking soda mixture, plan to let it soak for 30 minutes.  If you are using hydration bladder cleaning tabs or denture tabs, consult the packaging to find out how long to let the solution set.
Once the bladder is filled with cleaning solution and soaking, you can turn your attention to the tube and bite valve.
7. **Clean the tube and bite valve.** Raise the sealed, filled bladder above your head. You need gravity’s help to get the solution into the tube. Make sure the tube and bite valve are positioned over the sink.
8. **Fill the tube with cleaning solution.** Pinch the bite valve to release the solution from the bladder into the tube. Allow some solution to flow through the tube and bite valve into the sink. Then, release the bite valve to stop the flow and seal the solution in the tube. Now, the solution can work on the tube as well as the bladder.
9. **Let it soak.** If using bleach and baking soda, leave the solution in the tube for about 30 minutes. If you’re using a tab, follow the instructions listed on the package. Whether you're using a hydration cleaning tab or a denture cleaner, the package will let you know how long the solution needs to set to have its effect.
Cleaning tabs typically have a shorter soak time of around 5 minutes.
10. **Empty the bladder and tube of all cleaning solution.** Unseal the bladder, and dump the contents down the drain. Hold the bladder overhead, and pinch the bite valve to release any solution in the tube. Once it’s empty, you can move on to the next phase of cleaning!
11. **Fill the empty bladder and tube with soapy water.** Add a small amount of dish soap to the empty bladder. Then, fill the bladder with warm water and seal it. Holding the bladder overhead again, pinch the bite valve and allow some of the soapy water to flow through the tube into the sink. Release the valve to hold the solution in the tube.
12. **Scrub the inside surface of the bladder with a bottle cleaning brush.** First, unseal the bladder. Then, grab a bottle cleaning brush. Use the bottle cleaning brush to thoroughly scrub the interior surfaces. 
Bottle cleaning brushes are often displayed in the baby section of grocery and mega stores. They work great for cleaning traditional water bottles as well!
13. **Scrub the inside of the tube.** You can purchase hydration bladder tube cleaner brushes to make this step really easy. Insert the cleaner brush and thoroughly scrub the inside of the tube. This step gets rid of any stubborn build up.
If you don’t have a tube cleaner brush, you can make your own cleaning tool. Find a long, clean piece of wire and a clean piece of wet cloth or towel. Make a small hook by bending one end of the wire. Cover the hook with your towel or cloth. Push the material through the tube. Repeat with a clean cloth as needed until the cloth comes out clean.
14. **Rinse the hydration bladder with water inside and out.** Empty the soapy water from the bladder and tube. Then, rinse all surfaces of the bladder. Don’t forget to let clean water flow through the tube and bite valve to remove all debris and soap.
The last thing you want is a mouthful of soapy water when you’re out hiking, so make sure to take your time on this step!
15. **Take the hydration bladder apart for drying.** Separate the tube from the reservoir. If the bite valve can be released, take that off of the tube as well. If the bite valve can’t be removed, pinch it repeatedly to get rid of any remaining water.
16. **Use a clothes hanger to hang the bladder and tube for drying.** Use clothespins to attach the bottom of the bladder to a clothes hanger. Make sure the bladder is fully open. You want as much air flow as possible. Hang the tube over the hanger so water can drip from both ends. 
If the bladder wants to collapse, you can crumple a few paper towels and put them inside to hold the bladder open.
17. **Let the bladder and tube dry completely.** If there is moisture in the bladder when you store it, you have a recipe for more of the pesky things you just eliminated by sanitizing, so be patient! Choose a room with low humidity in which to hang the bladder and tube.
Do not hang the bladder in your bathroom to dry. Showers and baths make for humidity and moisture.
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